Small-eared dog Tibetan sand fox Dogs Dogs are members of the Canid family, of which there are about 34 recognised species. Canids are typically fast runners, and are able to sustain high speeds over long distances. They often live in packs, though some, such as the red fox, are solitary.
Dogs tend to have a good sense of smell and acute hearing.
Domestic dogs are derived directly from wolves, which entered villages in the Northern Hemisphere in search of food about 12,000 years ago. People exploited them for their own needs, such as to guard, herd and hunt. Particular characteristics were selected for which has resulted in the huge diversity of breeds today.