Re: Are cocker spaniels and german shepherds of the same species?

Yes, cocker spaniels  and german shepherds
 are the same species, Canis familiaris,
as are dachshunds  and
komondors .
Dogs have an amazing range of different colors and shapes, many of which are
categorized as different breedes by organizations such as AKC.

A major criteria for classifying animals into the same or different species is whether
the animals can interbreed and produce offspring that can also reproduce. For example,
a horse and a donkey can interbreed, but a mule offspring is sterile - it cannot reproduce.
Similarly, a lion and a tiger can interbreed, but a liger offspring is sterile. Horses and donkeys,
lions and tigers are separate - but closely related - species.

By contrast, cocker spaniels and german shephards can interbreed, producing a mutt. In fact,
all breeds of canine familiaris, dachshunds, cocker spaniels, german shephards, komondors,
poodles, dalmations,and so forth - all of these breeds can interbreed, and we call any offspring
of mixed breed a mutt.

A question that has been debated for years is whether dogs (canis familiaris) and wolves
(canis lupus) are the same species.  Wolves and dogs can interbreed, and the offspring likewise
can reproduce - strong indications that they are the same species. Here are some websites
that carry this discussion further:
 http://www.kcdata.com/~wolf2dog/genetic1.htm
 http://www.kcdata.com/~wolf2dog/fido.htm