A Compare and Contrast Paper about Dogs and Wolves - Essay Example

A Compare and Contrast Paper about Dogs and Wolves Introduction A trip to the Yellowstone National park last Christmas gave me an experience that launched my study of wolves and dogs. The learning expeditions started, following my discovery that – like many other people – I could not tell the physical differences between a wolf and a dog of a similar size. During the visit, the park attendant informed the group that the wolf and the dog belong to the same animal species, despite the fact their disposition, instincts and temperament are as different as night and day. The gray wolf, normally referred by the shorter name ‘wolf’ is the main wild member of the Canadae animal family. On the other hand, the dog is the domesticated type of the gray wolf, and that gives the reason for the close resemblance between the two. Studies on their genetic drift have provided evidence showing that the wolf and the dog have a common ancestry (Spotte 28). North America and the Eurasian regions were the major homes of the global wolf population, but the numbers have been reducing, following an increase in human encroachment. This paper will present a comparison and a contrast of dogs and wolves, to inform people about the similarities and the differences between the two. Discussion The similarities between the dog and the wolf include that the two animals belong to the same animal species: the dog belongs to the Canidae family (canis lupus familiaris) and the wolf belongs to the same family (canidae) but the sub-family is the canis lupus. Other similarities include that the two belong to the animalia kingdom; the phylum classification of the two is also the same – they belong to the chordata class (Spotte 28). The two animals belong to the mammalian class of animals; both fall under the carnivora order; the wolf and the dog also belong to the canis genus of animals. These areas of similarity for the dog and the wolf show that they are naturally more similar than many people would believe, despite the fact that many people regard wolves to be very wild – unlike dogs. The second main area of similarity is that the two animals possess hunting abilities, despite the fact that their styles of hunting are relatively different. In the case of dogs – due to its domestication – is more likely to have a weaker hunting instinct (Horowitz 42). Further, their physical characteristics are also affected by their domestication, including that, the teeth of many species of dogs are too small and not strong enough to tear the throat of a dear. These physical changes in the dog are mainly due to its adaptation to its domestic diet – unlike the wild diet of the wolf. The hunting style of dogs is also different in some ways, including that dogs are more likely to hunt on their own, and not in packs. On the other hand, wolves are more used and inclined to hunting in groups (packs), which allows them to dominate and kill larger animals for meat (Spotte 29). In the area of the physical characteristics of the two, dogs have “cuter” traits and their appearance is more likely to be characterized by a wider array of traits, due to the effects of domestication. In general, dogs are characterized by having shorter snouts, their availability in a variety of coat colors, a thinner coat and also thinner legs. On the other hand, wolves are characterized by longer muzzles and legs; a broader skulls and larger feet. Their longer snouts and legs, and bigger skulls and feet offer them more advantages – compared to dogs – by offering them more resilience and strength, which is crucial for their wild hunting. Wolves are also characterized by having larger brains, and their larger brain is one of the physical characteristics associated to their more developed abilities in hunting among other activities requiring motor coordination and tactics (Horowitz 42). Under the issue of domestication, the dog is more adapted to a domestic lifestyle. Due to its ability to adapt to the domestic environment better, dogs offer better companions for humans, and are also better when domesticated as home pets. Many dog species are easier to train, and many can be trained to perform activities requiring the development of learnt skills (Spotte 29). Due to their better adaptation to training, dogs are more likely to pass-on their training to their offspring. On the other hand, the wolf is predominantly inclined to wild life, therefore is not a suitable choice for a pet animal, and is less likely to adapt to a domestic lifestyle. Due to their domestic inclination, wolves can only be trained to a smaller extent, and their training is not communicated instinctively to their offspring (Horowitz 42). In regards to the sounds that they produce – which are partly the product of habit, instinctual inclination and domestication – the two produce different sounds and sound patterns. In the case of the dog, a dog is more used to barking, but can also howl, whenever it is necessary or called for. The dog is used and characterized by its behavior of growling, particularly when it is subjected to slight disturbances. In some cases, dogs are also known to bark as a sign of joy. On the other hand, a wolf is more inclined to howling, and they usually do it when they want to bond to their pack (Spotte 28). Different from the dog, the wolf is likely to bark softly, whenever it is expressing agitation at another one – although barking is not common among wolves. Barking is common among wolves, whenever they find others in its territory. In the area of their social existence, dogs are more likely to roam in packs, around the streets inhabited by humans. Due to the effects of domestication, dogs are more inclined to live near human residential areas; the case is similar dogs that are homeless. Dogs are more used to the behavior of scavenging the waste disposal areas found at residential areas, where they get food leftovers (Horowitz 42). The natural tendency of dogs to live among humans is evident among puppies of 3 weeks, which will have acquired the behavior of approaching humans. On the other hand, wolves are characterized by their stronger wild instincts, which make them prefer living in packs. Unlike dogs, wolves prefer living away from humans and away from human civilization, where they can lead a wild life. The life expectancy of dogs and wolves is relatively similar. Dogs are more likely to live for 7 to 20 years, within their domestic environments. On the other hand, wolves average the same number of years, starting from 7 years when living in the wild, but are known to live for around 15years when they are subjected to captivity. In many cases, many people without knowledge of the differences between wolves and dogs are more likely to characterize one with a black spot on the tail and yellow eyes as a wolf or a part-wolf dog. However, this is not particularly true, because the traits of pure wolfs are common among wolf-hybrids, and many of those are likely to mistaken for pure wolves (Horowitz 42). From a legal stand point, any wolf-hybrid with some traces of a domestic dog in its genetic make-up is considered a domestic animal. For example, in Texas wolfdogs are classed as domestic animals, despite the fact that in some other countries they are classed as wild animals – therefore it is illegal to own them without legal permission. However, the difference between a wolf-hybrid and a real dog include that wolf-hybrids are captive-bred, unlike ordinary dogs. Conclusion Following a trip to the Yellowstone National park, the experience of different animals sparked a study for exploring the differences between dogs and wolves. During the visit, one of the lessons included that many people cannot tell the difference between a wolf and a dog, therefore this paper will offer some answers to help people differentiate the two animals. The similarities between the dog and the wolf include that the two belong to the same animal species, irrespective of the minor difference in the sub-family classification. The second similarity of the two animals is that they are hunters, despite the fact that their hunting styles and abilities are considerably different. The physical characteristics of the two are different, including that the wolf is characterized by a longer snout and legs, when compared to the dog. In the area of domestication, the dog is more inclined to domestication and training, when compared to the wolf. The sounds produced by the two animals are different, including that the dog is more used to barking, unlike the wolf which is more used to howling. The social existence of dogs and wolves is different, including that wolves prefer living close to humans, unlike wolves. The domestication of wolves increases its life expectancy close to that of the dog; wolves, unlike dogs are often classified as wild animals. Works Cited Horowitz, Alexandra. Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know. New York: Scribner Press, 2009. Spotte, Stephen. Societies of Wolves and Free-ranging Dogs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Read More