[abbie's mom]

Hi Misty,

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Basic requirements for life meaning food and water...

OK, that's cleared up.

Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years...you don't think there have been genetic mutations thanks to humans and their selective breedings in that amount of time.

Well, yes, obviously there are mutations - look at the many sizes, shapes and breeds of dogs. But, their basic digetive systems have not changed. The way they ingest and process fuel (food and water) is, basically, unchanged.

A domestic dog's system in general is compromised by many factors that wolves are never exposed to. Immunizations, disease not neccessarily found in the wild (and vice versa), medical treatment, changes in the bodies natural balances due to surgeries, spay and neuter, etc. How do we know that these things are not compromising aspects of the dogs system that are comparable to those of wolves making them not as efficient?

Agreed. Human interference with over-vaccinating surely has compromised immune systems in the domesticated dog, resulting in a host of diseases and conditions not suffered by their cousins, the wolf. However, compromised immune systems and weak teeth have not changed their digestive systems into something that is suddenly (kibble/commercial dog 'food' has only been around about 70 years) more apt to processing ingredience in 'domestic' manmade commercially produced food-like substance: grains, carbs, sugar, plastics, and diseased animals (which, given a choice, the dog would not eat) found in kibble/canned. Do they survive on manmade food-like substance? Obviously. Survival of the fittest dictates that a species survive and procreate, therefore any species will exist on limited fuel. Humans survive this way too, in captivity. That doesn't mean that our basic internal workings require less than optimum fuel. Just that we adapt to certain criteria of survival.