Dogs of the Americas

Cats or dogs?

They weigh 5-20 pounds and most are covered in fur. 

They have scent glands on the dock of the or tales, the bottom of the ears, and the noses. 

Genis: canis

like small spaces and don't mind apartments.

typically solitary animals and don't mind being left at home alone.

Do not declaw unless they will never go outside again.

pack animals and are fine together. They will wait for you at the door all day.

respond to a pleasant high-pitched voice. They hiss at one another and save meows for humans. 

will protect you if they love you

not good with small children

Generally lazy; can sleep for 16 hours a day

Genus: felis

have pointed, flopped, or pricked ears. They typically have four legs and four toes. Most are furry, they vary in color.

Which animals was domesticated first - cats or dogs? Why do you think so?

We know from archaeological remains that domestic dogs lived in the Americas alongside the first humans over 10,000 years ago. But new evidence collected from the genomes of these early American dogs show that they didn’t evolve from North American wolves as you might expect. But were Husky-like dogs that came over from the Arctic and Siberia. Even more surprising is that only a very small percentage of these original American dog’s genes survive in current American mutts. This leads the researchers to think that when the Europeans colonised the Americas, 500 years ago, they bought their European dogs, and dog diseases, which may have wiped out the original hounds.

What's the missing word?

The _______ is the entire set of DNA instructions found in a cell. In humans, the _______ consists of 23 pairs of chromosomes located in the cell’s nucleus, as well as a small chromosome in the cell’s mitochondria. A ______ contains all the information needed for an individual to develop and function. 

Dogs of the Americas

Listen from 15:22 - 17:45

True or false?

Poodles came into the Americas after Columbus.

Chihuahuas are hairless.

Modern chihuahuas are descended from Aztec dogs.

There were no dog species at all in the Americas before humans arrived.

The early human settlers of the Americas brought domesticated dogs with them.