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Dog Racing

Dog Racing

, USA on February 9 1939]] Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase an artificial hare on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner.

History

Modern greyhound racing has its origins in coursing. The first recorded attempt at racing greyhounds on a straight track was made beside the Welsh Harp reservoir, Hendon in 1876, but this experiment did not develop. The sport emerged in its recognizable modern form, featuring circular or oval tracks, with the invention of the mechanical or artificial hare 1912 by Owen Patrick Smith. O.P. Smith had altruistic aims for the sport to stop the killing of the jack rabbits and see "greyhound race as we see horses". The certificates system led way to parimutuel betting, as quarry and on-course gambling, in the United States during the 1920s. In 1926, armed with the Smith patents and a hand shake, it was introduced to Britain by an American, Charles Munn, in association with Major Lyne-Dixon, a key figure in coursing, and Brigadier-General Critchley. The deal went sour and Smith never heard from Munn again. Like the American, International Greyhound Racing Association, the In.G.R.A. Munn and Critchley launched the Greyhound Racing Association, and held the first British meeting at Manchester's Belle Vue. The sport was successful in cities and town throughout the U.K. - by the end of 1927, there were forty tracks operating. The sport was particularly attractive to predominantly male working-class audiences, for whom the urban locations of the tracks and the evening times of the meetings were accessible, and to patrons and owners from various social backgrounds. Betting has always been a key ingredient of greyhound racing, both through on-course bookmakers and the totalisator, first introduced in 1930. Like horse racing, it is popular to bet on the greyhound races as a form of parimutuel gambling. In common with many other sports, greyhound racing enjoyed its highest attendances just after the Second World War - for example, there were 34 million paying spectators in 1946. The sport experienced a decline from the early 1960s, when the 1960 Betting and Gaming Act permitted off-course cash betting, although sponsorship, limited television coverage and the later abolition of on-course betting tax have partially offset this decline.

Greyhound racing today

Betting and Gaming Act Today greyhound racing continues in many countries around the world. The main greyhound racing and gambling countries are:
- Australia
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
- United States In the United States there are greyhound tracks in the following 15 states
  - Alabama
  - Arizona
  - Arkansas
  - Florida
  - Colorado
  - Connecticut
  - Iowa
  - Kansas
  - Massachusetts
  - New Hampshire
  - Oregon
  - Rhode Island
  - Texas
  - West Virginia
  - Wisconsin
- New Zealand Smaller scale greyhound racing is ongoing in:
- Many European Countries
- Argentina
- Brazil
- China (only in Macau)
- Mexico
- South Africa
- Spain
- Pakistan
- Vietnam

Treatment of racing dogs

Living Conditions

In many of the countries where there are large greyhound race tracks with gambling, the dogs live in kennels at or near the track or by their trainers. In the United States the kennels are indoor crates stacked two levels high, with the females usually kept on the upper level, and males on the lower level. While the space allocated to each dog varies between locations, typical crate size is 3-1/2 feet wide by 4 feet deep by 3 feet high. While living on the track these dogs will spend most of their time in these kennels. In Ireland and the UK dogs are usually kept by a trainer. In several European countries (Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland) greyhound racing is carried out by the owners of the dogs without financial interest. This amateur form of the sport is also found in some countries, such as the United States, where professional racing exists. In these countries the dogs often live as pets.

Medical Care

In places that allow gambling on Greyhound racing the owners often treat the dogs as short-term investments. This often means that the care they receive is intended only to help them perform on the track, not for their long-term health. Greyhound adoption groups frequently report that the dogs from the tracks have tooth problems the cause of which is debated although it is likely related to either a low-quality raw meat diet or damage to the gums from chewing on metal cage bars. The groups often also find that the dogs carry tick-borne diseases and parasites due to the lack of proper preventative treatments. Due to the dense living conditions in the kennels, the dogs require regular vacination to minimize outbreaks of diseases like kennel cough. After the dogs are no longer able to race, owners either keep the dog for breeding or dispose of the dog. They will sometimes have ex-racing greyhounds euthanized if they do not want to go through the expense of finding the dogs homes. The ratio of dogs killed to those adopted is greatly debated. There is much debate between the racing industry and anti-racing activists about the quality of the dog's care making the exact details hard to determine. Recently, doping has also emerged as a problem in Greyhound racing. The racing industry is actively working to prevent the spread of this practice; attempts are made to recover urine samples from all greyhounds in a race, not just the winners. Greyhounds from which samples can not be obtained for a certain number of consecutive races are subject to being ruled off the track. Violators are subject to criminal penalties and loss of their racing licenses by state gaming commissions and a permanent ban from the National Greyhound Association. The trainer of the greyhound is at all times the "absolute insurer" of the condition of the animal. The trainer is responsible for any positive test regardless of how the banned substance has entered the greyhound's system. Several organizations, such as British Greyhounds Retired Database, Adopt-a-Greyhound and National Greyhound Adoption Program, try to ensure that as many of the dogs as possible are adopted. Some of these groups also advocate better treatment of the dogs while at the track and/or the end of racing for profit. In recent years the racing industry has made significant progress in establishing programs for the adoption of retired racers. In addition to actively cooperating with private adoption groups throughout the country, many race tracks have established their own adoption programs at various tracks. In recent years, several state governments in the United States have passed legislation to improve the treatment of racing dogs in their juristiction. In venues where greyhound racing does not involve gambling, the dogs are almost invariably pets and are, therefore, generally well treated.

See also


- List of dog sports

External links


- [http://www.greyhoundracingtoday.com/ Greyhound Racing Basics, Tracks, Betting, Directory, and Rules] Greyhound Racing information, tips, Basics and resources.
- http://www.agcouncil.com, The American Greyhound Council (Joint NGA & AGTOA Welfare Organization)
- http://www.worldgreyhoundracingfederation.com, Global Association of all greyhound racing organizations
- http://www.thedogs.co.uk, a British greyhound racing board
- http://www.dog-track.co.uk UK greyhound racing information
- http://www.igb.ie, an Irish greyhound racing board
- http://www.cgrc-europe.com, Continental Greyhound Racing Federation
- http://www.grl.fi/engl.htm, the Finnish Greyhound Racing Association
- http://www.grv.org.au, Greyhound Racing in Australia Victory
- http://www.greyhound-data.com, Comprehensive database covering greyhound pedigrees, races, stadiums, and adoption worldwide
- http://www.greyhounds.org Greyhound Protection League, a group critical of the racing industry
- http://www.globalgreyhounds.com An international forum for the greyhound racing industry
- http://www.rescuedgreyhounds.com An adoption website for racing greyhounds in the United States Category:Greyhound racing

February 9

February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 325 days remaining, 326 in leap years.

Events


- 474 - Zeno crowned as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire.
- 1621 - Gregory XV becomes Pope, the last Pope elected by acclamation.
- 1775 - American Revolutionary War: British Parliament declares Massachusetts in rebellion.
- 1822 - Haiti invades the Dominican Republic.
- 1825 - After no presidential candidate received a majority of electoral votes, the United States House of Representatives elects John Quincy Adams President of the United States.
- 1861 - American Civil War: Jefferson Davis is elected the Provisional President of the Confederate States of America by the Confederate convention at Montgomery, Alabama.
- 1885 - The first Japanese arrive in Hawaii.
- 1889 - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is established as a Cabinet-level agency.
- 1895 - William G. Morgan invents volleyball.
- 1900 - Davis Cup competition is established.
- 1920 - By the terms of the Svalbard Treaty, international diplomacy recognizes Norwegian sovereignty over arctic archipelago Svalbard, and designates it as demilitarized.
- 1922 - Brazil becomes a member of the Berne Convention copyright treaty.
- 1942 - World War II: Top United States military leaders hold their first formal meeting to discuss American military strategy in the war.
- 1942 - Daylight-saving time goes into effect in the United States.
- 1943 - World War II, Battle of Guadalcanal: After forcing the remaining Japanese to be evacuated the night before, American authorities declared Guadalcanal secure.
- 1950 - Red scare: Senator Joseph McCarthy accuses the United States State Department of being filled with Communists.
- 1960 - Joanne Woodward receives the first star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- 1964 - The Beatles make their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
- 1965 - Vietnam War: The first United States combat troops are sent to South Vietnam.
- 1971 - The 6.4 on the Richter Scale Sylmar earthquake hits the San Fernando Valley area of California.
- 1971 - Satchel Paige becomes the first Negro League player to become voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
- 1971 - Apollo program: Apollo 14 returns to Earth after the third manned moon landing.
- 1973 - Biju Patnaik of the Pragati Legislature Party elected leader of opposition in the state assembly in Orissa, India.
- 1975 - The Soyuz 17 Soviet spacecraft returns to Earth.
- 1986 - Comet Halley reaches its perihelion, the closest point to the Earth, during its second visit to the solar system in the 20th century.
- 1991 - Voters in Lithuania vote for independence.
- 1994 - Peace plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina announced (so called Vance-Owen peace plan).
- 1996 - The Irish Republican Army declares the end of its 18 month ceasefire shortly followed by a large bomb in London's Canary Wharf
- 2001 - The American submarine USS Greeneville accidentally strikes and sinks the Ehime-Maru, a Japanese training vessel operated by the Uwajima Fishery High School.

Births


- 1404 - Constantine XI, last Byzantine Emperor (d. 1453)
- 1533 - Shimazu Yoshihisa, Japanese warlord and samurai (d. 1611)
- 1666 - George Hamilton, 1st Earl of Orkney, British soldier (d. 1737)
- 1700 - Daniel Bernoulli, Dutch-born mathematician (d. 1782)
- 1748 - Luther Martin, American patriot (d. 1826)
- 1773 - William Henry Harrison, President of the United States (d. 1841)
- 1783 - Vasily Zhukovsky, Russian poet (d. 1852)
- 1800 - Hyrum Smith, American religious leader (d. 1844)
- 1830 - Abd-ul-Aziz, Ottoman Sultan (d. 1876)
- 1834 - Felix Dahn, German author (d. 1912)
- 1846 - Wilhelm Maybach, German automotive designer and industrialist (d. 1929)
- 1865 - Mrs. Patrick Campbell, British actress (d. 1940)
- 1874 - Amy Lowell, American poet (d. 1925)
- 1885 - Alban Berg, Austrian composer (d. 1935)
- 1891 - Ronald Colman, English actor (d. 1958)
- 1892 - Peggy Wood, American actress (d. 1978)
- 1895 - Hermann Brill, German politician (d. 1959)
- 1897 - Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, Australian pilot (d. 1935)
- 1901 - Brian Donlevy, Irish actor (d. 1972)
- 1901 - James Murray, American actor (d. 1936)
- 1902 - Gertrud Scholtz-Klink, German women's leader (d. 1999)
- 1909 - Heather Angel, British actress (d. 1986)
- 1909 - Carmen Miranda, Portuguese actress and singer (d. 1955)
- 1909 - Dean Rusk, United States Secretary of State (d. 1994)
- 1910 - Jacques Monod, French biochemist, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (d. 1976)
- 1914 - Gypsy Rose Lee, American dancer and actress (d. 1970)
- 1914 - Ernest Tubb, American singer (d. 1984)
- 1914 - Bill Veeck, baseball executive (d. 1986)
- 1916 - Tex Hughson, baseball player (d. 1993)
- 1922 - Kathryn Grayson, American actress
- 1923 - Brendan Behan, Irish author (d. 1964)
- 1925 - Burkhard Heim, German physicist (d. 2001)
- 1926 - Garret FitzGerald, seventh Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland
- 1928 - Frank Frazetta, American illustrator
- 1928 - Roger Mudd, American journalist
- 1930 - Garner Ted Armstrong, American evangelist (d. 2003)
- 1932 - Gerhard Richter, German painter and graphic artist
- 1936 - Clive Swift, British actor
- 1939 - Barry Mann, American singer and songwriter
- 1939 - Janet Suzman, South African actress
- 1940 - J. M. Coetzee, South African author, Nobel Prize laureate
- 1941 - Sheila Kuehl, American actress and politician
- 1942 - Carole King, American singer and composer
- 1943 - Joe Pesci, American actor
- 1943 - Joseph E. Stiglitz, American economist, Nobel Prize laureate
- 1944 - Alice Walker, American writer
- 1945 - Mia Farrow, American actress
- 1947 - Carla Del Ponte, UN prosecutor
- 1949 - Judith Light, American actress
- 1949 - Jim Sheridan, Irish film director
- 1952 - Mookie Wilson, baseball player
- 1955 - JM J. Bullock, American actor
- 1955 - Charles Shaughnessy, British actor
- 1960 - Holly Johnson, British singer (Frankie Goes To Hollywood)
- 1961 - John Kruk, baseball player and commentator
- 1963 - Brian Greene, American physicist
- 1963 - Travis Tritt, American singer
- 1966 - Ellen van Langen, Dutch athlete
- 1970 - Glenn McGrath, Australian cricketer
- 1971 - Sharon Case, American actress
- 1976 - Vladimir Guerrero, Dominican Major League Baseball player
- 1979 - David Gray, English snooker player
- 1979 - Zhang Ziyi, Chinese actress
- 1981 - John Walker Lindh, American Taliban fighter
- 1982 - Ami Suzuki, Japanese singer
- 1985 - David Gallagher, American actor
- 1996 - Jimmy Bennett, American actor

Deaths


- 1199 - Minamoto no Yoritomo, Japanese shogun (b. 1147)
- 1450 - Agnès Sorel, mistress of King Charles VII of France (b. 1421)
- 1555 - Rowland Taylor, English pastor (executed) (b. 1510)
- 1619 - Lucilio Vanini, Italian philosopher (b. 1585)
- 1640 - Murad IV, Ottoman Sultan (b. 1612)
- 1675 - Gerhard Douw, Dutch painter (b. 1613)
- 1709 - François Louis, Prince of Conti, French general (b. 1664)
- 1751 - Henri François d'Aguesseau, Chancellor of France (b. 1668)
- 1752 - Fredric Hasselquist, Swedish naturalist (b. 1722)
- 1777 - Seth Pomeroy, American gunsmith and soldier (b. 1706)
- 1782 - Joseph Aloysius Assemani, Syrian orientalist (b. 1710)
- 1803 - Jean François de Saint-Lambert, French poet (b. 1716)
- 1881 - Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Russian novelist (b. 1821)
- 1891 - Johan Jongkind, Dutch painter (b. 1819)
- 1906 - Paul Laurence Dunbar, American poet (b. 1872)
- 1940 - Eugene Bleuler, Swiss psychiatrist (b. 1857)
- 1951 - Eddy Duchin, American musician (b. 1910)
- 1957 - Miklós Horthy, Hungarian admiral and regent (b. 1868)
- 1960 - Alexandre Benois, Russian artist (b. 1870)
- 1966 - Sophie Tucker, Russian-born actress and singer (b. 1884)
- 1969 - Gabby Hayes, American actor (b. 1885)
- 1976 - Percy Faith, Canadian musician and composer (b. 1908)
- 1979 - Dennis Gabor, Hungarian physicist, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1900)
- 1981 - Bill Haley, American musician (Bill Haley and the Comets) (b. 1925)
- 1984 - Yuri Andropov, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (b. 1914)
- 1994 - Howard Martin Temin, American geneticist, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (b. 1934)
- 1995 - J. William Fulbright, U.S. Senator (b. 1905)
- 1999 - Bryan Mosley, British actor (b. 1931)
- 2001 - Herbert Simon, American economist, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1916)
- 2002 - Princess Margaret of the United Kingdom (b. 1930)

Holidays and observances

External links


- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/9 BBC: On This Day]
- [http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/20050209.html The New York Times: On This Day] ---- February 8 - February 10 - January 9 - March 9 -- listing of all days ko:2월 9일 ms:9 Februari ja:2月9日 simple:February 9 th:9 กุมภาพันธ์

Sport

:Sports redirects here. For other senses of that word, see sports (disambiguation). A sport consists of a physical activity or skill carried out with a recreational purpose: for competition, for self-enjoyment, to attain excellence, for the development of a skill, or some combination of these. A sport has physical activity, side by side competition, and a scoring system. The difference of purpose is what characterises sport, combined with the notion of individual (or team) skill or prowess.

History of sport

Main article: History of sport The development of sport throughout history teaches us a great deal about social changes, and about the nature of sport itself. There are many modern discoveries in France, Africa, and Australia of cave art (see, for example, Lascaux) from prehistory which provide evidence of ritual ceremonial behaviour. Some of these sources date from over 30,000 years ago, as established by carbon dating. Although there is scant direct evidence of sport from these sources, it is reasonable to extrapolate that there was some activity at these times resembling sport. There are artifacts and structures which suggest that Chinese people engaged in activities which meet our definition of sport as early as 4000 BC. Gymnastics appears to have been a popular sport in China's past. Monuments to the Pharaohs indicate that a range of sports were well developed and regulated several thousands of years ago, including swimming and fishing. Other sports included javelin throwing, high jump, and wrestling. Ancient Persian sports such as the traditional Iranian martial art of Zurkhaneh had a close connection to the warfare skills. Among other sports which originate in Persia are polo and jousting. A wide range of sports were already established at the time of the Ancient Greece. Wrestling, running, boxing, javelin, discus throwing, and chariot racing were prevalent. This suggests that the military culture of Greece was an influence on the development of its sports and vice versa. The Olympic Games were held every four years in Ancient Greece, at a small village in Pelopponisos called Olympia. Sport has been increasingly organised and regulated from the time of the Ancient Olympics up to the present century. Activities necessary for food and survival became regulated activities done for pleasure or competition on an increasing scale, for example hunting, fishing, horticulture. The Industrial Revolution and mass production brought increased leisure which allowed increases in spectator sports, less elitism in sports, and greater accessibility. These trends continued with the advent of mass media and global communication. Professionalism became prevalent, further adding to the increase in sport's popularity. Not only has professionalism helped increase the popularity of sports, but additionally the need to have fun and take a break from a hectic workday or to relieve unwanted stress, as with any profession.

A classification of sports

Main article: List of sports One system for classifying sports is as follows, based more on the sport's aim than on the actual mechanics. The examples given are intended to be illustrative, rather than comprehensive.

Opponent


- Combat (Wrestling, Judo, karate, boxing, fencing, tae kwon do...)
- Court (Tennis, shuttlecock sport, badminton, volleyball, squash, Table tennis...)
- Team (Baseball, cricket and football (soccer) are the most popular globally, with baseball being popular in the Americas and in Japan, cricket in the Commonwealth of Nations and football being popular throughout the world. Other examples include: Rugby, ice hockey, field hockey, softball, basketball, American Football...)

Achievement


- Target (Archery, shooting ...)
- Display (Gymnastics, bodybuilding, equestrianism, diving...)
- Strength (Weight-lifting, triple jump, shot put ...)

Sports that fall into multiple categories


- Biathlon
- Curling
- Paintball

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship is defined as "conduct and attitude considered as befitting participants, including a sense of fair play, courtesy toward teammates and opponents, a striving spirit, and grace in losing." It is interesting that the motivation for sport is often an elusive element. For example, beginners in sailing are often told that dinghy racing is a good means to sharpen the learner's sailing skills. However, it often emerges that skills are honed to increase racing performance and achievements in competition, rather than the converse. Sportsmanship expresses an aspiration or ethos that the activity will be enjoyed for its own sake. The well-known sentiment by sports journalist Grantland Rice, that it's “not that you won or lost but how you played the game," and the Modern Olympic creed expressed by its founder Pierre de Coubertin: "The most important thing . . . is not winning but taking part” are typical expressions of this sentiment. But often the pressures of competition (See the related article, "Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing." or an obsession with individual achievement - as well as the intrusion of technology - can all work against enjoyment and fair play by participants. People responsible for leisure activities often seek recognition and respectability as sports by joining sports federations such as the IOC, or by forming their own regulatory body. In this way sports evolve from leisure activity to more formal sports: relatively recent newcomers are BMX cycling, snowboarding, wrestling, etc. Some of these activities have been popular but uncodified pursuits in various forms for different lengths of time. Indeed, the formal regulation of sport is a relatively modern and increasing development. Sportsmanship, within any given game, is how each competitor acts before, during, and after the competition. Not only is it important to have good sportsmanship if one wins, but also if one loses. For example, in football it is considered sportsmanlike to kick the ball out of play to allow treatment for an injured player on the other side. Reciprocally, the other team is expected to return the ball from the throw-in. Compare Sportsmanship with Gamesmanship. Violence in sports involves crossing the line between fair competition and intentional aggressive violence. Athletes, coaches, fans, and parents sometimes unleash violent behaviour on people or property, in misguided shows of loyalty, dominance, anger, or celebration.

Professionalism and the regulation of sport

The entertainment aspect of sport, together with the spread of mass media and increased leisure time, has led to professionalism in sport. This has resulted in some conflict, where the paycheck can be seen as more important than recreational aspects: or where the sport is changed simply to make it more profitable and popular therefore losing some of the traditions valued by some. The entertainment aspect also means that sportsmen and women are often elevated to celebrity status, or in some cases near-god-like. Today the consensus is that David Beckham (England and Real Madrid Footballer) is the most famous sportsman in the world, with a fanatical following particularly in Asia where statues have been erected of his likeness. The successful execution of a sport requires the consensus agreement of the participants on a set of rules for fair competition. This has led to the control of each sport through a regulatory body to define what methods of competition are acceptable and what are considered cheating.

Sport and politics

There have been many dilemmas for sports where a difficult political context is in place. When apartheid was the official policy in South Africa, many sportspeople adopted the conscientious approach that they should not appear in competitive sports there. Some feel this was an effective contribution to the eventual demolition of the policy of apartheid, others feel that it may have prolonged and reinforced its worst effects. The 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin was an illustration, perhaps best recognised in retrospect, where an ideology was developing which used the event to strengthen its spread through propaganda. In the history of Ireland, Gaelic sports were connected with cultural nationalism. Even until the mid 20th century a person could have been banned from playing Gaelic football, hurling, or other sports administered by the GAA if s/he played or supported Football, or other games seen to be of British origin. Until recently the GAA continued to ban the playing of soccer and Rugby union at Gaelic venues under the controversial Rule 42, although Gaelic games are frequently played on soccer and rugby arenas, particularly outside of Ireland. Until recently, under Rule 21, the GAA also banned members of the British security forces and members of the RUC, now reconstituted as the PSNI, from playing Gaelic games, but the advent of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 led to the eventual removal of the ban. Nationalism in general is often evident in the pursuit of sport, or in its reporting: people compete in national teams, or commentators and audiences can adopt a partisan view. These trends are seen by some as contrary to the fundamental ethos of sport being carried on for its own sake, for the enjoyment of its participants. See also: List of countries by national sport

Art and sport

Sport has many affinities with art. Ice skating and Tai chi, for example, are sports that come close to artistic spectacles in themselves: to watch these activities comes close to the experience of spectating at a ballet. Similarly, there are other activities that have elements of sport and art in their execution, such as performance art, artistic gymnastics, Bodybuilding, Parkour, Yoga, dressage, etc. The fact that art is so close to sport in some situations is probably related to the nature of sport. The definition of "sport" above put forward the idea of an activity pursued not just for the usual purposes, for example, running not simply to get places, but running for its own sake, running as well as we can. This is similar to a common view of aesthetic value, which is seen as something over and above the strictly functional value coming from an object's normal use. So an aesthetically pleasing car is one which doesn't just get from A to B, but which impresses us with its grace, poise, and charisma. In the same way, a sporting performance such as jumping doesn't just impress us as being an effective way to avoid obstacles or to get across streams. It impresses us because of the ability, skill, and style which is shown. Art and sport were probably more clearly linked at the time of Ancient Greece, when gymnastics and calisthenics invoked admiration and aesthetic appreciation for the physical build, prowess and 'arete' displayed by participants. The modern term 'art' as skill, is related to this ancient Greek term 'arete'. The closeness of art and sport in these times was revealed by the nature of the Olympic Games which, as we have seen, were celebrations of both sporting and artistic achievements, poetry, sculpture and architecture.

The terms 'sport' and 'sports'

In Commonwealth English, sporting activities are commonly denoted by the collective noun "sport". In American English, "sports" is more common for this usage. In all English dialects, "sports" is the term used for more than one specific sport. For example, "football and swimming are my favourite sports" would sound natural to all English speakers, whereas "I enjoy sport" would sound less natural than "I enjoy sports" to many North Americans.

Recommended reading


- The Meaning of Sports by Michael Mandel (PublicAffairs, ISBN 1-58648-252-1).

See also

The following entries go into further detail into issues important to sport:
- history of sport, sportsmanship, professional sports, aesthetic appeal of sport, nationalism and sport, and regulation of sport
- List of professional sports leagues
- Sports Utility Vehicles
- Sportsmen
- Sportswear
- Sports Cars
- Sports Bars
- Minor sports / developmental leagues
- List of sports
- List of sporting events
- List of sportspeople
- Sport governing bodies
- Olympic Games
- Sporting venues
- Sponsorship
- Sports coaching
- Sports equipment
- Sports injuries
- Sports marketing
- Sports memorabilia
- Sports timeline
- Spectator sport
- Multi-sport events
- Sports art
- Sport in film
- Sporting club
- Disabled sports
- Female sport
- Sports history organizations
- Fantasy sports
- Sport Record
- Extreme Sports
- Nationalism and sport
- Violence in sports | NHL violence
- Nudity in sport
- Sport in Africa, Sport in the United Kingdom, Sport in France, Sport in India, Sport in Australia, Sport in Canada, Sports in the United States, Sport in New Zealand

External links


- [http://www.sports.ie Sports.ie - Live Sports news and RSS feeds]
- [http://www.thefamousquotations.com/subjects/sports-and-competition-quotations.htm Sports Quotations]
- [http://www.newworldsports.net New World Sports - Sports Commentary]
- [http://www.pressboxnews.com/ Sports News Aggregator]
- [http://dmoz.org/Sports/ Open Directory Project - Sports]
- [http://dir.yahoo.com/Recreation/Sports/ Yahoo! - Sports]
- [http://news.google.com/news?topic=s Google - Sports News]
- [http://uk.newsbot.msn.com/s/?id=2 MSN - Sports News] (UK)
- [http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=index&cid=755 Yahoo! - Sports News]
- [http://www.sportsfilter.com SportsFilter - Community Weblog]
- [http://www.kungfufollowme.com/ Chinese Kung Fu: Tai Chi And Shaolin Kung Fu]
- [http://www.sports-facts.com/ Sports-Facts.Com!] Category:Games
- Category:Technology ko:스포츠 ms:Sukan ja:スポーツ simple:Sport th:กีฬา

Dog


Conservation status: DomesticatedCategory:Domesticated animals The dog is a canine mammal of the Order Carnivora that has been domesticated for at least 24,800 years and perhaps for as long as 150,000 years based on recent evidence. In this time, the dog has been developed into hundreds of breeds with a great degree of variation. For example, heights range from just a few inches (such as the Chihuahua) to nearly three feet (such as the Irish Wolfhound), and colors range from white to black, with reds, grays (usually called blue), and browns occurring in a tremendous variation of patterns. Dogs, like humans, are highly social animals and pack hunters; this similarity in their overall behavioral design accounts for their trainability, playfulness, and ability to fit into human households and social situations. Dogs fill a variety of roles in human society and are often trained as working dogs. For dogs that do not have traditional jobs, a wide range of dog sports provide the opportunity to exhibit their natural skills. In many countries, the most common and perhaps most important role of dogs is as companions. Dogs have lived with and worked with humans in so many roles that their loyalty has earned them the sobriquet "man's best friend." Conversely, some cultures consider dogs to be unclean. In other cultures, some dogs are used as food.

Terminology

unclean Dog, in common usage, refers to the domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris (originally classified as Canis familiaris by Linnaeus in 1758, but reclassified as a subspecies of the wolf, Canis lupus, by the Smithsonian Institution and the American Society of Mammalogists in 1993). The word is sometimes used to refer collectively to any mammal belonging to the family Canidae (as in "the dog family"), such as wolves, foxes and coyotes.
- Dog is also a term used by breeders to specifically denote a male domestic dog.
- Bitch is a female dog who is capable of breeding or has bred.
- Pack is used to denote a group of dogs.
- Puppy is a juvenile dog.
- Pooch, Poochie, Dogay, Pup, Pupsie, Doggy or Doggie are all informal and affectionate terms for a dog often used by children. Many additional terms are used for dogs that are not purebred; see Terms for mixed-breed dogs.

Physical characteristics

Although selective breeding has changed the appearance of many breeds, all dogs retain the basic ingredients from their distant ancestors. Like most predatory mammals, the dog has powerful muscles, a cardiovascular system that supports both sprinting and endurance, and teeth for catching, holding, and tearing. Its skeleton provides the ability to run and leap. They have small, tight feet, walking on their toes. :For details about dog appearance and physical attributes, see dog anatomy.

Intelligence

Among dog lovers, dogs are generally valued for their intelligence. Anecdotal evidence suggests that dogs have a reasonably high intelligence. For a detailed discussion on what dog intelligence is, see dog intelligence.

Diet

dog intelligence Presently, there is academic discussion as to whether domestic dogs are omnivores or carnivores. The classification in the Order Carnivora does not necessarily mean that a dog's diet must be restricted to meat. Unlike an obligate carnivore, such as a cat, a dog is not dependent on meat protein in order to fulfill its dietary requirements. Dogs are able to healthily digest a variety of foods including vegetables and grains, and in fact can consume a large proportion of these in its diet. Wild canines not only eat available plants to obtain key amino acids, but may also obtain nutrients from vegetable matter from the stomach contents of their herbivorous prey. Domestic dogs can survive healthily on a reasonable and carefully designed vegetarian diet, particularly if eggs and milk products are included. In the wild these diets are typically pursued in the absence of available meat. It has also been noted that extremely stressful conditions, such as the Iditarod race and scientific studies of similar conditions, suggest that high-protein diets including meat help prevent damage to muscle tissue. This research is also true of other mammals.

Dangerous substances

Some foods commonly enjoyed by humans are dangerous to dogs, including chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, Macadamia nuts, and hops. Dogs also may find some poisons attractive, including antifreeze and snail bait.

Reproduction

Among professional breeders, dogs are only allowed to mate for a specific purpose. Sometimes dogs are bred to create puppies to sell, or sometimes to carry on an award-winning purebred line. Breeders who do this are usually experienced in this process. Dog breeders have access to records which allow them to accurately guess which characteristics will "breed true" in a particular dog. Dog breeders also have accurate information on the complexities of the reproductive process for the breed of dog that they are accustomed to handling. Dog owners may accidently allow their pets to breed without regard to bloodlines.

Fertility

As with most domesticated species, one of the first and strongest effects seen from selective breeding is selection for cooperation with the breeding process as directed by humans. In domestic dogs, one of the behaviours that is noted is the abolition of the pair bond seen in wild canines. The ability of female domestic dog to come into estrus at any time of the year and usually twice a year is also valued. The amount of time between cycles varies greatly among different dogs, but a particular dog's cycle tends to be consistent through her life. This also called in season or in heat. Conversely, undomesticated canine species experience estrus once a year, typically in late winter.

Menarche

Most bitches come into season for the first time between 6 and 12 months, although some larger breeds delay until as late as 2 years. Like most mammals, the age that a bitch first comes into season is mostly a function of her current body weight as a proportion of her body weight when fully mature. The different rates of maturation are responsible for the menarche, not the chronological age.

Pregnancy and litters

menarche A general rule of thumb is that a mammal will produce half as many offspring as the number of teats on the mother. This rule is altered in domesticated animals since larger litters are often favoured for economic reasons. Dogs bear their litters roughly 9 weeks after fertilization. An average litter consists of about six puppies, though this number may vary wildly based on the breed of dog. Since a mother can only provide nutrients and care to a limited number of offspring, humans must assist in the care and feeding when the litter exceeds approximately eight puppies. Some breeds have been developed to emphasize certain physical traits beyond the point at which they can safely bear litters on their own. For example, the Bulldog often requires artificial insemination and almost always requires cesarean section for giving birth.

Spaying and neutering

Dog experts advise that dogs not intended for further breeding should be spayed or neutered so that they do not have undesired puppies. Unwanted puppies are abandoned, eaten, or sometimes disposed of in an inhumane fashion. It is also common for adult stray dogs who are placed in animal shelters to be euthanized due to lack of space and resources. Spaying and neutering can also help prevent hormone-driven diseases such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, as well as undesired hormone-driven behaviors. Contrary to myth, it is not required for a female dog to either experience a heat cycle or have puppies before spaying, and likewise, a male dog does not need the experience of mating before neutering; these myths are responsible for numerous unnecessary health problems and unwanted puppies. It should also be noted that a female dog may become pregnant prior to her first cycle and should be kept away from other male dogs, including littermates over the age of 4 months. Many veterinarians recommend that owners neuter/spay their pets around the age of 5 months.

Attributes

neutered Modern dog breeds show more variation in size, appearance, and behavior than any other domestic animal. Within the range of extremes, dogs generally share attributes with their wild ancestors, the wolves. Dogs are predators and scavengers, possessing sharp teeth and strong jaws for attacking, holding, and tearing their food.

Sight

Dogs were thought to be dichromats and thus, by human standards, color blind.1, 2 New research is now being explored that suggests that dogs may actually see some colour, but not to the extent that humans do. Because the lenses of dogs' eyes are flatter than humans', they cannot see as much detail; on the other hand, their eyes are more sensitive to light and motion than humans' eyes. Some breeds, particularly the best sighthounds, have a field of vision up to 270° (compared to 100° to 120° for humans), although broad-headed breeds with their eyes set forward have a much narrower field of vision, as low as 180°.1, 2

Hearing

Dogs detect sounds as low as the 20 to 70 Hz frequency range (compared to 16 to 20 Hz for humans) and as high as 70,000 to 100,000 Hz (compared to 20,000 Hz for humans)2, and in addition have a degree of ear mobility that helps them to rapidly pinpoint the exact location of a sound. They can identify a sound's location much faster than can a human, and they can hear sounds up to four times the distance that humans can.

Scenting

Dogs have nearly 220 million smell-sensitive cells over an area about the size of a pocket handkerchief (compared to 5 million over an area the size of a postage stamp for humans). Some breeds have been selectively bred for excellence in detecting scents, even compared to their canine brethren. Other than the oversimplified obvious, i.e. chemical compounds that affect chemical sensors in the nose, what a dog actually detects when he is scenting is not really understood; although once a matter of debate, it now seems to be well established that dogs can distinguish two different types of scents when trailing, an air scent from some person or thing that has recently passed by, as well as a ground scent that remains detectable for a much longer period. The characteristics and behavior of these two types of scent trail would seem, after some thought, to be quite different, the air scent being intermittent but perhaps less obscured by competing scents, whereas the ground scent would be relatively permanent with respect to careful and repetitive search by the dog, but would seem to be much more contaminated with other scents. In any event, it is established by those who train tracking dogs that it is impossible to teach the dog how to track any better than it does naturally; the object instead is to motivate it properly, and teach it to maintain focus on a single track and ignore any others that might otherwise seem of greater interest to an untrained dog. An intensive search for a scent, for instance searching a ship for contraband, can actually be very fatiguing for a dog, and the dog must be motivated to continue this hard work for a long period of time.

Direction and spatial sense

It has been observed that a lost dog can often find its way home, sometimes traveling over long distances.

Weather detection

Dogs also have the ability to sense inclement weather (mainly thunderstorms) many miles away. This is due to their keen ability to detect fluctuations in barometric pressure and can explain a dog's anxiety before and during a storm. The evolutionary ability of sensing weather can be traced back to when wolves used it to move the pack into proper shelter before a dangerous storm.

Diseases and ailments

Dogs are susceptible to various diseases, ailments, and poisons, some of which affect humans in the same way, others of which are unique to dogs. For additional information on these and other related topics, see dog health and :Category:Dog health.

Diseases

Diseases commonly associated with dogs include rabies (hydrophobia), canine parvovirus, and canine distemper, although there are many others.

Parasites

Common external parasites are various species of fleas, ticks, and mites. Internal parasites include hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and heartworms.

Common Physical Disorders

Some breeds of dogs are also prone to certain genetic ailments, such as hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, cleft palate, blindness, or deafness. Dogs are also susceptible to the same ailments that humans are, including diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, and arthritis. Gastric torsion and bloat is a dangerous problem in some large-chested breeds.

Behaviour

bloat All dogs have a tremendous capacity to learn complex social behavior and to interpret varied body language and sounds, and, like many predators, can react to and learn from novel situations. The requirements of coordinating complex social behavior requires that canines have the ability to sense and deliver a wide variety of cues via body language, more so than for even humans, who can use language for the same purpose. Physiologically, this correlates with such features as a large number of nerves innervating the facial muscles of dogs, allowing subtle control of a wide variety of facial expressions; in contrast to cats, for instance, who have many fewer nerves governing their facial muscles, resulting in a smaller repertoire or "vocabulary" of expressions. This ability to read and deliver nonverbal cues makes dogs expert at reading human beings, as well, often even more so than other humans are, who rely on language. Most dog owners have a large collection of stories about their dogs recognizing individuals by their footsteps outside the door, and so on.

Interactions between Dogs and Humans

:Main article: Dog society The relationship between dogs and humans is rooted in history and dogs coexist with humans in a variety of ways. Dogs thrive in small social groups or packs which, from their viewpoint, can include humans. Dog society can be thought of as dog packs characterized by a companionate hierarchy, in which each individual has a rank, and in which there is intense loyalty within the group. Dogs thrive in human society because their relationships with humans mimic their natural social patterns. The dog is always aware of its rank relative to other individuals in the group. An assertive dog may consider itself the alpha animal, considering its human master to be subordinate.

Treats

Many dogs consider anything given to them directly by hand to be a treat, even the food they are accustomed to at meal time. Special dog treats are not necessary for such animals. Care should also be taken to avoid dropping small but inedible objects (such as marbles, coins, rings, etc.) around such dogs. Some food considered as treats for humans, such as chocolate and raisins, are poisonous to dogs. If a dog has something valuable (rings, money, irreplaceable items), a treat should be used to "barter" with the dog to retrieve the stolen item. Chasing a dog will encourage play behavior, which may cause the item to be swallowed or destroyed.

Dogs as working partners

Many breeds of dogs, but not least German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Border Collie are commonly used as working dogs. There are service dogs, guard dogs, hunting dogs, and herding dogs. Dogs have served as guides for the blind, as commandos, and have flown into outer space (see Laika and other Russian space dogs). Most modern working dogs are put in positions which capitalize on their sensory or strength and endurance advantages over normal humans. Dogs are also used for searching for or rescuing people and animals, such as in avalanches, at disaster sites, and for missing people or pets.

Dogs as hunting and sporting partners

Many people compete with their dogs in a variety of dog sports, including agility, flyball, and many others. This often strengthens the bond between human and dog, since they must trust one another in a variety of environments and must learn how the other works and thinks. Setters in particular have a long history as upland gun dogs. They have a native ability to discover and "hold" upland game birds; to freeze them momentarily on the ground with their silent, elongated pointing stance. Once the hunter approaches, at his command they will flush the birds to fly and for the hunter to shoot at. As water dogs, the retrievers are unsurpassed. They can spend long hours in a duck blind and, after the hunter has fired at multiple ducks or geese, they can visually spot and remember the location of downed birds. At command, they dive into the icy water, swim out and retrieve the birds one by one. They can follow hand, verbal, and whistle commands at great distance as the hunter directs them to the downed bird. They typically have large, gentle muzzles to mitigate any potential damage to the game. When trained, beagles are particularly adept at chasing through thick briars and brush after rabbits. Many hound breeds are excellent at treeing raccoons during hunting season. Hunters with dogs report the satisfaction that the dogs seem to exhibit. Excitement is evident as they see the hunters load weapons, take to the field, and begin the hunt.

Dogs as pets

hound make the best pets]] Relationships between humans and dogs are often characterized by strong emotional bonds. Consequently, dogs are popular as pets and companions, independent of any utilitarian considerations. Many dog owners consider having unconditional acceptance from a friend who is always happy to see them to be quite utilitarian, particularly if the dog also leads them to regular exercise. Empirically, dogs are quite dependent on human companionship and may suffer poor health in its absence. Many dogs are reported to have separation anxiety if its owner is away for an extended period of time. Some research demonstrates that dogs are able to convey a depth of emotion not seen to the same extent in any other animal; this is purportedly due to their closely-knit development with modern man, and the survival-benefits of such communication as dogs became more dependent on humans for sustenance. Nevertheless, it is often unwise to anthropomorphize the responses of dogs. Despite understandably positive interpretations by dog owners, it is questionable whether these animals are truly capable of feeling emotions on a human level. More research is needed to determine the intelligence level of dogs, and the motivations behind their responses to their masters.

Dogs as food

:Main article: Taboo food and drink In some countries, certain breeds of dogs are raised for their meat. Often times, this causes friction with societies that want a complete ban on consumption of dog meat. In times of great stress, such as when the Vikings of Greenland starved to death at the start of the Little Ice Age (14th century - 19th century), humans have been known to eat their pets. In some small Chinese provincial towns, there is a special breed of dog (called "Black Dogs" in Chinese language) mainly used for cuisine. However, almost any breed of dog is eaten all over China. Although some Western dog lovers may claim that dog is regarded as a "lower source of food," many Asians, in actuality, regard it as a luxury food, costing much more than other types of meat. The people of Korea have been known to eat certain breeds of dogs as well. This led to issues during the 2002 Football World Cup when South Korea was hosting the game with the local government keen to obscure this practice from visiting countries.

Attacks on humans and livestock

Humans have a tendency to anthropomorphize animals, particularly pets such as dogs, which are generally portrayed as being "man's best friend". Animals are often given attributes such as "loyal", "cute", and "guardian", but these all have the potential to lure people into a false sense of security. After thousands of years of domestication and selective breeding for dogs who do not show aggression towards humans, most dogs are unlikely to attack people. However, their sharp teeth and claws can inflict injury in an attack; a large dog can knock a human down. Provocation can range from something as seemingly innocuous as a toddler pulling a dog's tail, in which case the dog might nip to discourage the behavior, to something completely transparent to humans, such as an odor or a movement that sets a dog off, to blatant human aggression or violence towards a dog, causing it to defend itself. There are hundreds of shades of provocation that may or may not lead to an attack upon a human. Canine aggression upon humans is ordinarily not tolerated. With formidable skills and weapons as hunters as well as large and unfussy appetites, dogs often menace livestock and wildlife. In most jurisdictions, dogs are destroyed for killing other creatures, so dogs should be prevented from any encounter with livestock or wildlife that might lead to a predatory response. The same creatures that wolves, coyotes, and foxes attack as prey, especially sheep and poultry, are similarly attractive prey to dogs. For more information about attack provocations and attack behavior, see dog attacks.

Abandoned Dogs

Wild dogs are shot by farmers in an effort to protect livestock. Bodies are sometimes tied to fences as warning to other dogs, especially in rural United States and Canada. Abandoned domestic dogs who become feral are particularly dangerous; they lack the survival skills of wild canines, as well as the genetic and learned fear of the humans' world. Feral dogs often form predatory packs that attack livestock and occasionally also prove dangerous to humans.

Ancestry and history of domestication

feral Molecular systematics indicate that the domestic dog is descended from a wolf-like ancestor. As reflected in the nomenclature, dogs are a subspecies of wolf and are thus still able to interbreed. The relationship between man and canine is a long-standing tradition. Wolf remains have been found in association with hominid remains dating from 400,000 years ago. Dogs were, and are, valued for their aid in hunting. Dog burials at the Mesolithic cemetery of Svaerdborg in Denmark indicate that in ancient Europe dogs were valued companions. The molecular genetic data suggests that the domestic lineage separated from modern wolves around 150,000 years ago (Vilà et al, 1997). Conservative estimates propose that the domestication of the dog probably occurred at least 14,000 years ago. There is archaeological evidence of dog remains that are morphologically different from wolves from that time frame. However, in the early 2000s [http://www.amonline.net.au/archive.cfm?id=716 some research] indicated that domestication in fact had already begun to occur as early as 100,000 years ago.

Wolf ancestors

Some evidence suggests that several varieties of ancient wolves contributed genetically to the domestic dog. These contributions may have been deliberate or unintentional interbreeding. This means that various traits from one or more of the ancestral wolf lines were preserved in the domestic dog. Although all wolves belong to the species Canis lupus, there are (or were) many subspecies that had developed a distinctive appearance, social structure, and other traits. For example, the Japanese wolf and the Eastern Timber Wolf posses different distinctive colouration, hunting and social structures. The Indian Wolf is thought to have contributed to the development of more breeds of dogs than other subspecies. Many of today's wild dogs, such as the dingo, the dhole and pariah dogs, are descended from this wolf. Domestic dogs like sight hounds are also thought to have descended from this wolf according to [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/ss/stories/s728909.htm recent genetic evidence]. This hypothesis that modern dog breeds originated from Asia contradicts an earlier theory that dogs had evolved in Africa, much like humans. The Indian wolf is also thought to have bred with descendants of the European wolf to create the Mastiffs and eventually leading to the development of such diverse breeds as the Pug, the Saint Bernard, and the Bloodhound. The Tibetan Mastiff is an example of an ancient breed. The European wolf, in turn, may have contributed many of its attributes to the Spitz dog types, most terriers, and many of today's sheepdogs. The Chinese wolf is probably ancestor to the Pekingese and toy spaniels, although it is also probable that descendants of the Chinese and European wolves encountered each other over the millennia, contributing to many of the oriental toy breeds. The Eastern Timber Wolf is a direct ancestor to most, if not all, of the North American northern sled dog types. This interbreeding still occurs with dogs living in the Arctic region, where the attributes of the wolf that enable survival in a hostile environment are valued by humans. Additionally, unintentional crossbreeding occurs simply because dogs and wolves live in the same environment. The general reproductive isolation which is required to define dogs and wolves as separate species is purely a result of lack of opportunity, stemming from a general mutual unfamiliarity, suspicion, mistrust, and fear. The phenotypic characteristic that define a wolf from a dog are tenuous. Wolves typically have a "brush tail" and erect ears. While some dog breeds possess one of these characteristics, they rarely possess both.

Speed of domestication

Current research indicates that domestication, or the attributes of a domesticated animal, [http://www.amsci.org/amsci/articles/99articles/Trut.html#26879 can occur much more quickly] than previously believed. Domestication of a wild dog may occur within one or two human generations with deliberate selective breeding. It is also now generally believed that initial domestication was not attained solely by human desire intervention but through mutual desire. Wild canines who scavenged around human habitations received more food than their more skittish or fearful counterparts. Canines who attacked people or their children were likely killed or driven away, while those more friendly animals survived. Canines would have been beneficial by chasing away other vermin or scavengers. The relationship is theorized to have developed in this way.

Dog breeds

There are numerous dog breeds, over 800 being recognized by various kennel clubs worldwide. As all dog breeds have been derived from mixed-breed dog populations, the term "purebred" has meaning only with respect to a certain number of generations. Many dogs, especially outside the United States and Western Europe, belong to no recognized breed. A few basic breed types have evolved gradually during the domesticated dog's relationship with man over the last 10,000 or more years, but most modern breeds are of relatively recent derivation. Many of these are the product of a deliberate process of artificial selection. Because of this, some breeds are highly specialized, and there is extraordinary morphological diversity across different breeds. Despite these differences, dogs are able to distinguish dogs from other kinds of animal. The definition of a dog breed is a matter of some controversy. Some groups use a definition that ultimately requires extreme inbreeding to qualify due to the low gene pool. Dogs that are bred in this manner often end up with severe health or behavioural problems. Other organizations define a breed more loosely, such that an individual may be considered of one breed as long as 75% of its parentage is of that breed. These considerations come into play among breeders who enter their dogs in dog shows. Even prize-winning purebred dogs sometimes possess crippling genetic defects due to inbreeding. These problems are not limited to purebred dogs and can affect mixed-breed populations. The behavior and appearance of a dog of a particular breed can be predicted fairly accurately, while mixed-breed dogs show a broader range of innovative appearance and behavior. In February 2004, the Canine Studies Institute in Aurora, Ohio, arranged recognized breeds of dogs into ten categories. Mixed-breed dogs or Mongrels are dogs that do not belong to specific breeds, being mixtures of two or more in variant percentages. Mixed breeds, or dogs with no purebred ancestry, are not inherently "better" or "worse" than purebred dogs as companions, pets, working dogs, or competitors in dog sports. Sometimes mixed-breed dogs are deliberately bred, for example, the Cockapoo, a mixture of Cocker Spaniel and Miniature Poodle. Such deliberate crosses may display hybrid vigor and other desirable traits, but can also lack one or more of the desired traits of their parents, such as temperament or a particular color or coat. However, without genetic testing of the parents, the crosses can sometimes end up inheriting genetic defects that occur in both parental breeds. Deliberately crossing two or more breeds is also a manner of establishing new breeds.

Neoteny in the rapid evolution of diverse dog breeds

This rapid evolution of dogs from wolves is an example of neoteny or paedomorphism. As with many species, the young wolves are more social and less dominant than adults; therefore, the selection for these characteristics, whether deliberate or inadvertent, is more likely to result in a simple retention of juvenile characteristics into adulthood than to generate a complex of independent new changes in behavior. This is true of many domesticated animals, including human beings themselves, who have many characteristics similar to young bonobo. This paedomorphic selection naturally results in a retention of juvenile physical characteristics as well. Compared to wolves, many adult dog breeds retain such juvenile characteristics as soft fuzzy fur, round torsos, large heads and eyes, ears that hang down rather than stand erect, etc.; characteristics which are shared by most juvenile mammals, and therefore generally elicit some degree of protective and nurturing behavior cross-species from most adult mammals, including humans, who term such characteristics "cute" or "appealing". The example of canine neoteny goes even further, in that the various breeds are differently neotenized according to the type of behavior that was selected.
- Breeds that guard flocks, such as the various sheepdog breeds, retain the most juvenile characteristics: they stay close to home with their foster "litter" (which might include a flock of sheep), rather than going out hunting, they have almost no predatory behavior (which would be disastrous in the vicinity of such a natural prey stimulus as sheep), they respond to perceived threats with a lot of vocalization and attempts to alert and engage the dominant individuals in their "pack" (i.e. humans) whenever possible, engaging in actual combat only as a last resort. In addition, they retain very juvenile physical characteristics such as round bodies and heads, soft coats, ears that hang down, and so on, which do not elicit fear responses from the sheep in the way that an appearance similar to that of an adult wolf would. (Compare to the physical appearance of the border collie, a sheep herding dog, whose physical configuration is closer to that of an adult wild canine and who therefore has a greater capacity to frighten sheep into a desired pattern of movement, along with the more adult aggressive temperament to do so).
- Breeds that are hunting dogs—that is, pointers, setters, spaniels, retrievers, etc.—have an intermediate degree of paedomorphism; they are at the point where they share in the pack's hunting behavior, but are still in a junior role, not participating in the actual attack. They identify potential prey and freeze into immobility, for instance, but refrain from then stalking the prey as an adult predator would do next; this results in the "pointing" behavior for which such dogs are bred. Similarly, they seize dead or wounded prey and bring it back to the "pack", even though they did not attack it themselves, that is, "retrieving" behavior. Their physical characteristics are closer to that of the mature wild canine than the sheepdog breeds, but they typically do not have erect ears, etc.
- Scenthounds maintain an intermediate body type and behavior pattern that causes them to actually pursue prey by tracking their scent, but tend to refrain from actual individual attacks in favor of vocally summoning the pack leaders (in this case, humans) to do the job. This contrasts with sighthounds, who pursue and attack perceived prey on sight, and who maintain the mature canine body type with erect ears, lean bodies, and adult coats.
- Terriers similarly have adult aggressive behavior, famously coupled with a lack of juvenile submission, and display correspondingly adult physical features such as erect ears, although many breeds have also been selected for size and sometimes dwarfed legs to enable them to pursue prey in their burrows.
- The least paedomorphic behavior pattern may be that of the basenji, bred in Africa to hunt alongside humans almost on a peer basis; this breed is often described as highly independent, neither needing nor appreciating a great deal of human attention or nurturing, often described as "catlike" in its behavior. It too has the body plan of an adult canine predator. Of course, dogs in general possess a significant ability to modify their behavior according to experience, including adapting to the behavior of their "pack leaders"—again, humans. This allows them to be trained to behave in a way that is not specifically the most natural to their breed; nevertheless, the accumulated experience of thousands of years shows that some combinations of nature and nurture are quite daunting, for instance, training whippets to guard flocks of sheep.

See also


- Dog communication
- bark (dog)

References and further reading

References


- Kennel Club Books [http://www.kennelclubbooks.com Website] 400 titles on dogs.
- Abrantes, Roger (1999). Dogs Home Alone. Wakan Tanka, 46 pages. ISBN 0966048423 (paperback).
- 1A&E Television Networks (1998). Big Dogs, Little Dogs: The companion volume to the A&E special presentation, A Lookout Book, GT Publishing. ISBN 1-57719-353-9 (hardcover).
- 2Alderton, David (1984). The Dog, Chartwell Books. ISBN 0-89009-786-0.
- Brewer, Douglas J. (2002) Dogs in Antiquity: Anubis to Cerberus: The Origins of the Domestic Dog, Aris & Phillips ISBN 0856687049
- Donaldson, Jean (1997). The Culture Clash. James & Kenneth Publishers. ISBN 1888047054 (paperback).
- Fogle, Bruce DVM The New Encyclopedia of the Dog, 2000
- Milani, Myrna M. (1986). The Body Language and Emotion of Dogs: A practical guide to the Physical and Behavioral Displays Owners and Dogs Exchange and How to Use Them to Create a Lasting Bond, William Morrow, 283 pages. ISBN 0688128416 (trade paperback).
- Pfaffenberger, Clare (1971). New Knowledge of Dog Behavior. Wiley, ISBN 0876057040 (hardcover); Dogwise Publications, 2001, 208 pages, ISBN 1929242042 (paperback).
- Shook, Larry (1995). "Breeders Can Hazardous to Health",The Puppy Report: How to Select a Healthy, Happy Dog, Chapter Two, pp. 13–34. Ballantine, 130 pages, ISBN 0345384393 (mass market paperback); Globe Pequot, 1992, ISBN 1558211403 (hardcover; this is much cheaper should you buy).
- Shook, Larry (1995). The Puppy Report: How to Select a Healthy, Happy Dog, Chapter Four, "Hereditary Problems in Purebred Dogs", pp. 57–72. Ballantine, 130 pages, ISBN 0345384393 (mass market paperback); Globe Pequot, 1992, ISBN 1558211403 (hardcover; this is much cheaper should you buy).
- Thomas, Elizabeth Marshall (1993). The Hidden Life of Dogs (hardcover), A Peter Davison Book, Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395669588.
- Vilà, Caries; Savolainen, Peter; Maldonado, Jesus E.; Amorim, Isabel R.; Rice, John E.; Honeycutt, Rodney L.; Crandall, Keith A.; Lundeberg, Joakim; Wayne, Robert K. (1997). [http://www.mnh.si.edu/GeneticsLab/StaffPage/MaldonadoJ/PublicationsCV/Science_Dog_Paper.pdf Multiple and ancient origins of the domestic dog.] Science 276, pp. 1687–1689.

External links

;General info
- [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0209_040209_dogsdogsdogs.html National Geographic News] Many articles and photos about dogs ;Genetics and origins
- Lindblad-Toh, K., et. al. [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v438/n7069/abs/nature04338.html "Genome sequence, comparative analysis, and haplotype structure of the domestic dog"] Nature 438:803-819, December 2005.
- [http://www.idir.net/~wolf2dog/wayne1.htm "Multiple and Ancient Origins of the Domestic Dog"]
- [http://www.fiu.edu/~milesk/Genetics.htm Canid Genetics]
- [http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/11008069 "Dog Genome Sequencing"] - NHGRI
- [http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_713600.html "World's dogs are descended from Asian wolves"]
- [http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/data/2002/01/01/html/ft_20020101.1.html#know "From Wolf to Woof - The Evolution of Dogs"] ;Training and behavior
- [http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/dog.htm Noncommercial site sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point]
- [http://www.greatcanine.com/ Puppy Training Information] ;Breed listings from major kennel clubs
- [http://www.akc.org/ American Kennel Club]
- [http://www.ckc.ca/ Canadian Kennel Club]
- [http://www.ukcdogs.com/breeds/ United Kennel Club] Breed lists for many breeds and types not recognized by the AKC--and for many that are (U.S.)
- [http://www.fci.be FCI]Fédération Cynologique Internationale - FCI
- [http://www.dogdomain.com/fci-1.htm FCI] International breed standards
- [http://www.ankc.aust.com/breed_list.html Australian National Kennel Club]
- [http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk The Kennel Club (UK)]
- [http://www.nzkc.org.nz/dogselect.html New Zealand Kennel Club] Category:Animals kept as pets Category:Canines ko:개 ja:イヌ simple:Dog th:สุนัข

Coursing

Coursing is the pursuit of game by dogs—chiefly Greyhounds—running by sight, not by scent. The object is not to catch the hare, but is rather a test of speed and agility between two greyhounds. The first set of English rules for coursing was drawn up in the reign of Elizabeth I.

See also


- Greyhound racing
- Lure coursing

External links


- [http://www3.sympatico.ca/afghaned/origcrse.html Original British Coursing Rules by Duke of Norfolk]
- [http://www.nationalcoursingclub.org/fixed/guide.html National Coursing Club - brief guide to coursing] Category:Dog sportsCategory:Blood sports

Welsh Harp

Welsh Harp may refer to:
- the triple harp, a traditional musical instrument also known as the Welsh harp
- The Welsh Harp, the name of several pubs in England
- the popular name of the Brent Reservoir

1876

1876 is a leap year starting on Saturday.

Events

January-March


- January 31 United States orders all Native Americans to move into reservations.
- February 2 - The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs of Major League Baseball is formed.
- February 14 - Alexander Graham Bell applies for a patent for the telephone.
- February 22 - Johns Hopkins University founded in Baltimore, Maryland.
- March 7 - Alexander Graham Bell is granted a patent for an invention he calls the telephone (patent # 174,464).
- March 10 - Alexander Graham Bell makes the first successful telephone call by saying "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you."

April-June


- April 16 - Bulgarian April uprising
- April 17 - Six Fenian prisoners escape from a penal colony in Fremantle, Australia with the aid of ship Catalpa.
- May 1 - Turks crush uprising of Bulgar Slavs
- May 11-May 12 - Berlin Memorandum - Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary propose an armistice between Turkey and its insurgents
- May 16 - British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli rejects Berlin Memorandum
- May 18 - Wyatt Earp starts work in Dodge City, Kansas, serving under Marshal Larry Deger
- May 30 - Abd-ul-Aziz, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire is deposed and succeeded by his nephew Murat V.
- June 4 - An express train called the Transcontinental Express arrives in San Francisco, California via the First Transcontinental Railroad only 83 hours and 39 minutes after having left New York City.
- June 17 - Indian Wars: Battle of the Rosebud - 1,500 Sioux and Cheyenne led by Crazy Horse beat back General George Crook forces at Rosebud Creek in Montana Territory.
- June 25 - Indian Wars: Battle of the Little Bighorn. Lieutenant colonel George Armstrong Custer of the US 7th Cavalry Regiment leads a unit of 300 men in battle against the allied forces of Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho, counting 5000 men under the leadership of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. The latter emerge victorious.

July-September


- July 1 - Serbia declares war on Turkey
- July 2 - Montenegro declares war on Turkey
- July 4 - United States Centennial See: [http://fax.libs.uga.edu/T825xB1xI5/ Centennial exposition described and illustrated], being a concise and graphic description of this grand enterprise commemorative of the first centennary of American independence. Publisher: Philadelphia, Hubbard bros, 1876.
- July 8 - Reichstadt Agreement between Russia and Austria-Hungary on partitioning the Balkan peninsula.
- August 1 - Colorado is admitted as the 38th U.S. state.
- August 8 - Thomas Edison receives a patent for his mimeograph.
- August 31 - Murat V, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire is deposed and succeeded by his brother Abdul Hamid II.
- September 5 - Gladstone publishes Bulgarian Horrors pamphlet
- September 7 - In Northfield, Minnesota, Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang attempt to rob the town's bank but are surrounded by an angry mob and are nearly wiped out.

October-December


- October 4 - Texas A&M University, the state’s first public institution of higher education, opened on October 4, 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas.
- November 2 - Atlantic giant squid 6.1 meters long washes ashore in Thimble Tickle Bay in Canada
- November 21 - Porfi