Cross Breeds

Are the different breeds of dogs an example of divergent evolution or adaptive radiation?

I have a few more questions related to the topic question... 1. The different breeds of dogs are different species, right? 2. Is adaptive radiation a type of divergent evolution, or are they different, separate concepts? 3. Are the different breeds of dogs an example of divergent evolution or adaptive radiation? They diverged from one common ancestor (wolf, or wolf-like creature), right? 4. Is there another example of divergent evolution other than the pentadactyl limb or apple maggot example that every textbook seems to use? Thx!

Public Comments

1. To your original question: I would assume they're an example of adaptive radiation, although I have never formally taken a biology class, but have self taught myself everything that I know about wolves and dogs (and I know a lot). I do not know these terms, though, but from what I skimmed over, divergent evolution seems to fit the bill. Answer to question 1: All breeds of dogs are NOT different species. The dog, as you probably know, is a subspecies of the wolf, and the breeds of dogs are known as infra-subspecies. Answer to question 2: It seems to me they are similar concepts but different in their own ways. Answer to question 3: (As my original statement says) Divergent evolution. Answer to question 4: (As my original statement says) That I wouldn't know, because I haven't formally taken biology.
2. For two breeds of dog to be different species, they would have to not be able to produce viable offspring together. Since most domesticated dogs can breed and create viable offspring (such offspring must also be able to breed successfully) together, then they must all be the same species. I don't know what "divergent evolution" means exactly, but adaptive radiation is where from one species many closely related species come to be. Yes, different breeds of dogs is evidence for adaptive radiation. But the best example of new species being created is wolves to wolf-like creatures to dogs----remember, different species can't produce viable offspring together. #4?