Specific. The taxonomy of the dog reflects that he is a member of the animal kingdom, or Animalia. The
phylum Chordata, which includes those animals that are chordates or vertebrates, meaning they
have a backbone. Dogs are classified in the class Mammalia, so they are mammals. Besides
mammals, remember that other classes of chordates include fish, birds, reptiles, and
amphibians. Dogs are further classified in the Carnivora order and the Canidae family. The genus
Canis and species lupus of the dog are the same as that of the wolf. The dog is then classified as
a subspecies, familiaris, of Canis lupus.