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What is the Scientific Name of a Dog?

Answer – The scientific name of a dog is Canis lupus familiarise.

Explanation: 

In scientific taxonomy, organisms are classified using a system called “binomial nomenclature,” wherein each species is assigned a unique, two-part scientific name. This name consists of a generic epithet, representing the genus, and a specific epithet, distinguishing the species within the genus. Here is the taxonomy (classification) for a dog:

  • Kingdom: Animalia (Animals)
  • Phylum: Chordata (Chordates)
  • Class: Mammalia (Mammals)
  • Order: Carnivora (Carnivores)
  • Family: Canidae (Canids)
  • Genus: Canis
  • Species: Canis lupus
  • Subspecies: Canis lupus familiarise
A black dog
 Dogs are one of the oldest domesticated animals in the world.
Image credit: H. Zell / Wikimedia Commons (licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0)

Dogs belong to the kingdom Animalia and are chordates (with the presence of a rod-like structure called a notochord). They are carnivorous mammals. The genus Canis encompasses a group of closely related carnivorous mammals within the family Canidae, commonly known as canines or dogs. Other members of the genus Canis include wolves, coyotes, and jackals. The species name is lupus. This species’ name is shared with the gray wolf, which is the closest wild relative of the domestic dog.


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