Dog Unit Study
Use this post as a guide to create a fun dog unit study!
Dogs are man’s best friend, beloved family pets, serve as protection, and work as vital team members in law enforcement and military operations. No other animal has lived so closely with and been such a huge part of the everyday life of humans as dogs.
We are a dog family and I can’t imagine life without our pups! My daughter has always been obsessed with dogs, and most other animals honestly. Her bookshelf was always filled with dog guides and dog stories. It seemed that she had a life long dog unit study going on. She can tell you any breed of dog at 30 yards. Not kidding.
What about your kids? Do they love dogs too? Make the most of that interest and turn it into an educational opportunity! When kids dive into a subject they are really interested in, they learn without even knowing it!!
Use these links and resources below with your kids to learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about dogs and then some. You can turn their love of dogs into a super fun dog unit study!
Download our free Animal Report printable so your child or students can journal what they’ve learned about their favorite breed of dog.
Here are a few dog facts to get you started.
Dog Facts
- Dogs belong to the canine family, along with coyotes, foxes, wolves, and jackals.
- The scientific name for all domestic dogs is Canis lupus familiaris,
- Dogs are the oldest known domesticated animal.
- All dogs are the descendants of wolves.
- There are more than 344 recognized breeds of dogs.
- Dogs have a special membrane in their eyes that allow them to see in the dark.
- Dogs have 3 eyelids.
- Dogs have 42 teeth.
- Dogs can hear 10 times better than the average human.
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Dog Lesson Plans
National Pet Week in the classroom
Dog Unit Study Resources
Brief History Of Dogs – National Geographic video
The Science Of Dogs – Science Friday
Domestic Dog Facts – National Geographic
How Wolves Really Became Dogs – Smithsonian Magazine
Skeletal System Of A Dog worksheet – 4H
Dog Printables and Breed Information – Enchanted Learning
Choosing A Dog worksheet – Biology Corner
Dog Facts – Ducksters.com
Dog Facts – Science Kids
Dog Info – DKFindOut.com
What about you? Do you have a pet dog? What kinds of other pets do you have?
Other Animal Unit Studies
I hold a master’s degree in child development and early education and am working on a post-baccalaureate in biology. I spent 15 years working for a biotechnology company developing IT systems in DNA testing laboratories across the US. I taught K4 in a private school, homeschooled my children, and have taught on the mission field in southern Asia. For 4 years, I served on our state’s FIRST Lego League tournament Board and served as the Judging Director. I own thehomeschoolscientist and also write a regular science column for Homeschooling Today Magazine. You’ll also find my writings on the CTCMath blog. Through this site, I have authored over 50 math and science resources.