How is the domestic dog (*Canis familiaris*) often classified relative to *Canis lupus* today?
Answer
As a subspecies, *Canis lupus familiaris*.
Taxonomic classification is dynamic, changing as genetic evidence evolves. While the domestic dog was historically assigned its own species name, *Canis familiaris*, modern genetic sequencing provides strong support for placing it within the *Canis lupus* species umbrella. This suggests an extremely recent divergence driven by human intervention. Therefore, in many contemporary scientific contexts, the proper designation recognizes this close relationship by classifying the domestic dog as a subspecies of the gray wolf, formally known as *Canis lupus familiaris*.
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