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The domestic dog (''Canis lupus familiaris'' or ''Canis familiaris'') is a domesticated canid which has been selectively bred for millennia for various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes.〔 Although initially thought to have originated as a manmade variant of an extant canid species (variously supposed as being the dhole,〔Hodgson, B. H. (1833). Description and Characters of the Wild Dog of Nepal (''Canis primævus''), ''Asiatic Researches'', Vol. XVIII, Pt. 2, pp. 221–37〕 golden jackal,〔Lorenz, Konrad (2002). ''Man meets dog.'' Routledge, ISBN 0-415-26744-7〕 or gray wolf), extensive genetic studies undertaken during the 2010s indicate that dogs diverged from an extinct wolf-like canid in Eurasia 40,000 years ago.〔 Being the oldest domesticated animals, their long association with people has allowed dogs to be uniquely attuned to human behavior,〔 as well as thrive on a starch-rich diet which would be inadequate for other canid species. Dogs perform many roles for people, such as hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military, companionship, and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals. This impact on human society has given them the nickname "man's best friend" in the Western world. In some cultures, however, dogs are a source of meat. ==Etymology== The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both of the domesticated and feral varieties. The English word ''dog'' comes from Middle English ''dogge'', from Old English ''docga'', a "powerful dog breed".〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Domestic PetDog Classified By Linnaeus In 1758 As Canis Familiaris And Canis Familiarus Domesticus )〕 The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic '' *dukkōn'', represented in Old English ''finger-docce'' ("finger-muscle"). The word also shows the familiar petname diminutive ''-ga'' also seen in ''frogga'' "frog", ''picga'' "pig", ''stagga'' "stag", ''wicga'' "beetle, worm", among others.〔"Dictionary of Etymology", ''Dictionary.com'', s.v. ''dog'', (encyclopedia.com ) retrieved on 27 May 2009.〕 The term ''dog'' may ultimately derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary. In 14th-century England, ''hound'' (from ) was the general word for all domestic canines, and ''dog'' referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the prototype of the category "hound". By the 16th century, ''dog'' had become the general word, and ''hound'' had begun to refer only to types used for hunting. The word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word '' *kwon-'' "dog". In breeding circles, a male canine is referred to as a dog, while a female is called a bitch〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Dog )〕 (Middle English ''bicche'', from Old English ''bicce'', ultimately from Old Norse ''bikkja''). A group of offspring is a litter. The father of a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. Offspring are, in general, called pups or puppies, from French ''poupée'', until they are about a year old. The process of birth is whelping, from the Old English word ''hwelp''. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Dog」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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