Final answer:
The statement that all dogs should look and perform equally well according to the UKC is False. The UKC recognizes breed-specific characteristics and abilities, and while it promotes standards within breeds, it does not suggest homogeneity across all breeds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that all dogs should look and perform equally well according to the UKC is False. The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognizes that different dog breeds have variances in appearance and performance abilities, which are often related to the breeds' historical functions or the roles they were bred for. For instance, Bloodhounds were specifically bred for tracking due to their superior sense of smell, attributed to having more olfactory bulbs and larger olfactory receptors. This specialization in certain breeds indicates that there will be physical and performance differences among breeds as acknowledged by the UKC.
Moreover, while domestic dogs, known as Canis lupus familiaris, may display a wide range of phenotypic differences in terms of size, build, and coat, these differences do not impede their ability to interbreed and produce viable offspring. Each breed has standards set by kennel clubs, like the UKC, to ensure that the attributes of that breed meet specified standards in conformation and performance. Thus, while the UKC aims for consistency within breeds, it does not imply that all dogs should be uniform across different breeds.