History of Dogs Recognizing Other Dogs
Dogs are fascinating creatures that have been the subject of countless studies over the years. As we learn more about them, weve discovered that they are far smarter and more complex than previously thought. Just like humans, dogs have evolved over the years and are now our most fierce, loyal companions.
There always seems to be a heart-warming story in the media of how a dog saved their owner or found their way back home after years of separation, which just confirms how important they are to us, humans.
Of the many studies looking at if dogs can identify their own species, and maybe even breed, weve learned that dogs seem to have a sixth sense about who is considered a dog, and who is not. Some studies have proven that dogs can identify another dog simply through visualization, whereas others look at how dogs use smell and hearing to identify their own species.
Signs a Dog Can Identify Their Own Breed
At present moment, there are 187 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The World Canine Organization, on the other hand, recognizes 332 breeds. These numbers do not include the thousands of mutts or cross-breeds, which means there are too many breeds to even count! With that many dogs out there, it seems nearly impossible a dog would be able to pick their own breed out, right?
Breed is something us humans use in order to distinguish dogs from one another, and dogs likely dont use the same point of reference. However, dogs are very intuitive and great communicators – well, sometimes. Because of this, it can be easy to think that two French bulldogs are getting along so well because they recognize another dog of their breed, when in fact they are just great at socializing.
There are certain signs that indicate a dog recognizes another dog, including sniffing, tail wagging, and keeping their tail up. These signs will, of course, differ from dog to dog, so its important to observe your pup and look for any behavioral changes. If your dog is wary around other dogs, keep them on a leash and stay away from high-stress environments. While it may be tempting to try and get your Border Collie to befriend another Border Collie you see at the dog park, its important you dont force the interaction.
Here are signs your dog recognizes another dog:
These are other sign your dog knows another dog when they see one:
Part of the reason we love pups so much is because they can all look so different! But no matter how big or small, long-haired or short-haired, dogs always manage to carry that amazing “mans best friend” attitude.
There are lots of species out there in the vast animal kingdom, and most of those species look pretty much the same. Whether its lions, horses, or cats, there isnt much variation in many of the species out there. Except, of course, for our furry canine friends. Why (and how) do most dogs look so different from one another?
While there are lots of different cat breeds within the domestic cat species, most of them look alike. Similar size, face, tail, and ears. But dogs are a different story. While a Russian Blue cat might not look too different from a Maine coon, a Chihuahua certainly looks very different from a Great Dane.
Dogs began to be bred for specific purposes that relied on their appearance, agility, size, form, and more. This caused dogs to start looking very different from one another. Nowadays, we mostly refer to this process as “selective breeding”. Cats, on the other hands, were simply admired for their looks and companionship. Since cats werent being used for versatile jobs, they were never bred to look too different from one another.
Because of this bond and humans attachment to dogs, the practice of breeding dogs grew increasingly popular. Humans realized just how much of a useful companion a dog could be, so dogs began to be bred for specific purposes. This is when we started getting dogs for herding, dogs for hunting, dogs for sporting, and more.
The Top 10 Look-Alike Dog Breeds
Its no secret that dog owners feel strongly about their pets and often think they harness extra-special superpowers. Many dog lovers even swear their pooch comes to attention when they come across another dog of the same breed. Have these dog owners gone too far, or is there something to their claims?
According to scientists and veterinarians alike, there may be some validity to these claims. Maybe. One prominent French veterinarian says that dog breeds possess the “largest morphological variety of any animal species”, meaning they are able to decipher when they are interacting with other dogs, perhaps even their own breed.
While the jury is still out on whether a Chihuahua knows another Chihuahua when they see one, most experts stand behind the notion that dogs recognize other dogs.
However, there have been a handful of studies that address the question at hand. In some, a dog is shown a photograph of another dog of his same breed and then observed. The bottom line? Weve yet to determine if dogs can distinguish different breeds, or if they just know they are meeting another of their species.