dog species

Scientists do not agree on whether the domestic dog is a subspecies of the wolf (therefore Canis lupus familiaris) or a separate species (Canis familiaris).

To further complicate the situation, those who believe it is a subspecies are not in agreement on what the species name should be—C. lupus or C. familiaris, both having been coined by Linnaeus in 1758.

The Integrated Taxonomic Information System, a collaboration of U.S., Mexican, and Canadian government agencies as well as independent organizations prefers C. lupus for the wolf species, and C. lupus familiaris for the domestic dog subspecies.