Dog Breeds

Dogs have undergone selective breeding by humans for thousands of years to encourage specific traits. A domestic dog breed can be recognized if two members of the same breed can generate offspring with predictable traits. Various organizations exist that recognize and define the specifications for each breed and often include competitions to identify prime examples. Use Wolfram|Alpha to examine a given breed to determine if it was bred for purely aesthetic reasons, such as companion dogs like the Pekingese, or to serve a purpose, such as herding dogs like the Australian Shepherd. You can also use Wolfram|Alpha to find out how dog breeds vary in size, color or temperament along with many other traits.