The most varied species – the dog!
As you observe the kingdom animalia, you will notice a lot of species look more or less identical – lions, horses, cats and others, there might be some variations but they are within a predictable margin. Except for our best friend – the dog.
Whilst a Russell terrier might look similar to another terrier cousin, a Chihuahua will never come close to what a Great Dane looks like. Why is that?
The American Kennel Club lists about 190 dog breeds but that does not include mutts and other breeds that are not so specific. In Australia alone, there are more than 100 breeds. Dogs were domesticated by humans over 20,000 years ago – they can be found in egyptian mythology and old writings all over the world. In terms of domestication, we’ve come a long way with dogs shifting from only being working dogs sustaining a precise function to becoming a loved family member. We now take them to work, to cafes and nearly everywhere! They get pampered and groomed – we hover over them with adoration.
Humans realised early on that dogs were a useful companion that could be bred into specific purposes – this is when dogs started to be bred very precisely for specific characteristics – size, appearance, agility, intelligence and sometimes – just for looks. This is one of the reasons we’ve come to have one of the most varied species in the animal world. The next closest candidate to a similar outcome would be the horse which was also used for specific purposes but was never bred in such a varied way.
Another reason is that the expression of the IGF1 gene present in all dogs is part of what makes a dog weigh 3 kgs and adequately fit in your handbag like the minuscule Chihuahua or be as large as a Great Dane going up to 90 kilos in male specimens.
At Hypro Premium we love dogs in all shapes, breeds, colours and sizes – big or small – this is why our product suits every type of dog. We are so blessed to have them in our lives. If you have questions about our range and would like to select the best one for your dog, contact our team.
