Dogs

Find out everything there is to know about dogs and stay updated on the latest dogs news with the comprehensive articles, interactive features and dogs pictures at LiveScience.com. Learn more about these loyal pets as scientists continue to make amazing discoveries about dogs.

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Group of dog walkers working together outside with dogs

Your dog's genes, but not necessarily its breed, play a big role in its behavior

By Amy Arthur published

Humans began selectively breeding dogs around 2,000 years ago, and these genes play a role in your pup's behavior, a new study of 4,000 purebred, mixed-breed and wild dogs finds.

A cat getting its hair brushed

Why do cats and dogs shed?

By Charles Q. Choi published

Shedding fur is useful for cats and dogs. Here's why they do it.

A shaggy black dog lying in the grass with its tongue out and one ear perked up.

Dogs: History, evolution and behavior of our best friends

By Stephanie Pappas published

Reference Dogs and humans have been companions for thousands of years.

'Dogor,' an 18,000-year-old wolf pup, survived almost intact -- down to the whiskers -- in Siberian permafrost.

Mummified mystery pup that died 18,000 years ago was a wolf

By Stephanie Pappas last updated

A 2-month-old puppy found mummified in Siberian permafrost was not a dog but rather a young wolf.

A dog looks longingly at a chocolate cake on a table.

Why is chocolate bad for dogs?

By Remy Melina, Mindy Weisberger last updated

Is it really that bad to give a dog a bite of a chocolate bar? Live Science investigates just how much chocolate is lethal to dogs.

A gene mutation partly responsible for the tiny size of 'toy' dog breeds like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians has been found in 54,000-year-old wolf DNA, highlighting that the potential for small dogs existed long before humans started breeding them.

Gene mutation that helps make 'toy' dog breeds so small existed in wolves 54,000 years ago

By Harry Baker published

A new study has shown that a genetic mutation that influences the small size of dogs can be traced back to 54,000-year-old wolf DNA.

Two of the dogs from the experiment next to the MRI machine.

Dogs can differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar human languages

By Harry Baker published

A new study has revealed that dogs' brains react differently to familiar and unfamiliar human languages.

Embark Dog DNA Test Kit deal for Cyber Monday.

Cyber Monday Deal: Save 32% on this dog DNA test kit

By Morgan Bailee Boggess McCoy published

Deals The dog DNA test kit deal will let you discover your dog's exact breeding makeup and health risks without breaking the bank.

A small cavalier dog on a walk.

Dogs know when humans are lying to them

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Researchers found that dogs react differently to false information given to them by a misinformed human than they do to a human who is flat-out lying to them.

A dog looking at the camera over a seat.

Dogs know where their paws end and the world begins

By Yasemin Saplakoglu last updated

Dogs may have self-awareness just like humans.

A hunting dog pointing a pheasant.

Dogs may sense Earth's magnetic field and use it like a compass

By Diane Lincoln published

Some hunting dogs may be able to sense Earth's magnetic field and use it as a compass, scientists are now reporting.

A geriatric golden retriever napping (not Augie).

'Augie' breaks record as world's oldest golden retriever at age 20

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Golden retrievers typically live between 10 and 12 years.

Dogs are being trained to sniff out COVID-19 in humans

By Mindy Weisberger published

Can dogs be trained to detect COVID-19 by smell? Researchers in Pennsylvania are putting canine scent receptors to the test.

A dog in a party hat.

'Dog Years' Are a Total Myth. Here's How Old Fido Really Is.

By Yasemin Saplakoglu last updated

When your dog's big, pleading eyes look up at you, is it with old-age wisdom or teenage naiveté?

A Tibetan mastiff in all its glory.

Tibetan Mastiffs Bred with Mountain Wolves to Survive at Super-High Altitudes

By Rafi Letzter published

Tibetan mastiffs are monstrous dogs that survive high in the mountains, and now we know that's because of a little extra shot of wolf in their genes.

A dog with its tongue out.

A Woman Needed Her Hands and Legs Amputated After Contracting Infection from Dog 'Kisses'

By Rachael Rettner published

A little lick from a puppy may have led to a life-threatening infection for one woman in Ohio, who ended up needing her hands and legs amputated.

A dog eating cookies off the table.

This Common Sugar Substitute Can Be Deadly for Dogs, FDA Warns

By Rachael Rettner published

A common sugar substitute found in everything from chewing gum to peanut butter can be deadly for man's best friend.

Dogs Evolved Sad Eyes to Manipulate Their Human Companions, Study Suggests

By Brandon Specktor published

You don't get to be man's best friend without copying a few of man's favorite facial expressions.

The Nottinghamshire police shared this image, apparently of one of the escaped racoon dogs, online. It's amazing.

Escaped 'Raccoon Dogs' Harass English Village. What Are These Things?

By Rafi Letzter published

A pair of escaped raccoon dogs are stalking the English village of Clarborough, according to the Nottinghamshire police. Here's what they really are.

Being a Dog Lover May Be in Your Genes

By Mindy Weisberger published

A person's genetic makeup could play a part in their feelings about dogs.