Final answer:
Unguligrade locomotion involves walking on the tips of the toes with hooves, digitigrade locomotion is walking on the toes with heels up, and plantigrade locomotion is walking with the entire foot flat on the ground. A dog exhibits digitigrade locomotion, walking on its toes for speed and agility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between unguligrade, digitigrade, and plantigrade locomotion lies in the part of the foot that touches the ground when an animal stands or walks. Unguligrade mammals, like giraffes and horses, walk on the tips of their toes with the rest of the foot held off the ground, supported by hooves. Digitigrade animals, such as dogs and cats, walk on their toes with their heels permanently raised off the ground, allowing for greater speed and quieter movement. Plantigrade locomotion, observed in humans and bears, occurs when animals walk with their toes and metatarsals flat on the ground, which provides stability and support for a heavy body.
A dog, as a digitigrade mammal, stands and walks on its toes, which allows for swift, agile movement. This is ideal for animals that need to run quickly either to catch prey or evade predators.