The domesticated dog is called the, “Canis Familiaris”, while the wolf is known as the “Canis Lupius”. In all, there are 39 Canids, most of them subspecies of the genus Canis.It is believed that all of the Canids and Felids(members of the cat family) descended from the prehistorc mammal called the Miacis. Scientist say that Canids separated from cats when Canids evolved into a new species the Cynodictis.
The DNA makeup of all the canids is nearly identical. Of the canids, the wolf, coyote, jackal, dingo, wild dog and domestic dog can interbreed. The canids also share several other features such as a 63 day gestation period and 42 teeth.
