A dog with a Santa-inspired name arrived at the Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles last June — and his whereabouts before he was welcomed at the shelter are unknown. Elf arrived covered in ticks and was timid around most people, leading the staff to assume he’d been through […]

Karen Hopkin: This is Scientific American’s 60-Second Science. I’m Karen Hopkin. Ever get the feeling that your cat is judging you?  [Cat meows] Hopkin: Well, you’re in for a surprise. Because it’s actually your pooch who might be viewing you with a critical eye.  [Dog barking in experiment] Hopkin: That’s […]

Family dog protects young girls lost in woods Family dog protects young girls lost in woods 01:29 Folsom, Louisiana — When Abigail and Cecilia Bourg went missing at the end of November in the woods behind their home, their parents were frantic. Now, Artemis, the Bourg family dog, is being […]

In creating modern dog breeds, humans sculpted canines into physical specimens perfectly suited for a wide variety of tasks. Bernese mountain dogs have solid, muscular bodies capable of pulling heavy loads, while greyhounds have lean, aerodynamic frames, ideal for chasing down deer. The compact Jack Russell terrier can easily shimmy […]