Sonia
Dogs are remarkable and truly a human’s best friend! Whether it is their incredible olfactory senses, their capacity to love us, or their unique quirks, there is always something new to learn about our canine companions.
Dogs & Humans Have a Shared History
In the last 15,000 years or so, dogs have been human friends. This friendship began when wolves used to travel to human camps in search of food. Humans started breeding the animals by choosing the most friendly, loyal, and man’s loyal listener. That is why there are so many different breeds of dogs.
They Can Smell Way Better Than Us
It is known to everyone that dogs have an excellent sense of smell. A normal dog’s nose has up to 300 million scent receptors while humans only have about 5 million. Therefore, dogs can distinguish odors at a point almost 100 million times lower than we can. Hence, dogs can find missing people, drugs, explosives, and everything else.
Dogs Have Their Own Fingerprint
Just as each of us is born with our own unique fingerprint, every dog’s nose print is unique. The wrinkles and ridges of the nose form a pattern that is unique to each dog and can even be used to identify them. Some services that use pet identification services use nose prints to register and identify missing dogs. This is similar to how fingerprints can identify humans!
Greyhounds Are Incredibly Fast
Bred as hunting dogs, Greyhounds needed to be fast enough to hunt prey. Their chests are deep for better breathing and their spines are flexible enough to reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour! No wonder Greyhounds are so popular in racing and hunting!
Dogs Can Understand Our Emotions
Dogs understand the sound of our voice and facial expressions. This sensitivity to human feelings is likely due to their long history of living with humans. In a recent study, we found that dogs can distinguish between a human smile and a human growl. Dogs were more likely to approach the man who smiled.
The Basenji Dog Doesn’t Bark
The Basenji is a curious breed. It does not bark, at least not in the classic sense. Basenjis yodel, growl at one another, and howl. This is possible due to the shape of their larynx, which is unlike the one in other dogs. Although it may seem that they are silent, and consequently described as barkless, it is not the case.
Dogs Have Three Eyelids
Humans do not have the nictitating membrane. Or, you could say we lack a third eyelid. However, dogs do have one. It is on the inner corner of the eye. The purpose of the third eyelid is to protect their eyes and make sure it is moist and free from impurities. The membrane can emerge when there is an injury or irritation to the eye.
A Dog’s Sense of Hearing is Incredible
Humans are able to hear sounds with a frequency of up to 20,000 Hz. Dogs can hear at a frequency of 65,000 Hz. This means a dog may hear a sound that a human cannot, such as that of a dog whistle. Additionally, the dog’s ears move independently. It is possible for each ear to move and point in different directions.
The World’s Oldest Dog Lived to Be 29
The incredible record for the oldest dog is currently held by an Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey, who lived from 1910 to 1939, making him 29 years. Considering that the average lifespan of a dog is about 10-13 years, it is very impressive. While the Australian Cattle Dog breed is known for its long life, it is still a very impressive record.
Dogs Have Their Own Language
While dogs cannot talk like humans, they do have their own language. They use vocal language, body postures, and facial expressions to communicate their mood. For example, a wagging tail implies happiness or the feeling of excitement while a hanging tail might show fear or subordination.
The Tallest Dog Ever Recorded Was a Great Dane
Great Danes are the largest dog breeds, and the record of the tallest dog using the shoulder height mark is 44 inches. The record for the tallest dog is confirmed by the Guinness World Records. In this case, it was a Great Dane breed named Zeus, who lived in Otsego, Michigan. It was easy for Zeus to look over an average kitchen counter. Woah!
Dogs Sweat Through Their Paws
A dog cannot produce sweat all over its body like a human; they have a limited number of sweat glands, except for the large number of sweat glands in their paw pads. Therefore, it is common to get damp paw prints of your dog when hot. However, the dog’s primary way of cooling the body is through panting.
Whiskers Are Actually Touch Sensors
Apart from their primary role in hunting, a dog’s whiskers are highly sensitive touch sensors. These whiskers are connected to sensory nerves that send sensory signals to the brain. It helps dogs understand the size, shape, and speed of nearby objects, making it easier for them to avoid hitting things or detect threats.
Dogs Dream Like We Do
Dogs experience the same sleep stages as humans, including REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is when dreams occur. If you have ever seen your dog twitching, paddling their paws, or making soft noises while asleep, chances are the dog was dreaming. Studies show that dogs imagine the same things they do daily.
Some Dogs Have Jobs
Some dogs have real jobs like us humans. For example, service dogs help people with disabilities, providing support to improve their quality of life. Police and military dogs are trained for search and rescue missions, detecting drugs or explosives, and catching suspects. Therapy dogs provide emotional support and comfort to people in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.
The Smallest Dog Breed is the Chihuahua
Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dogs, typically about 6-9 inches in height and weighs between 2 pounds to 6 pounds. They are comparatively smaller, but very strong and lively dogs with a stubborn streak. The breed is said to have originated in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, and was named after the same.
Dogs Can Learn Hundreds of Words
Dogs have the ability to understand and learn many words and carry out commands. Dogs can learn up to 250 words when trained. Remarkably, 2-year-old toddlers also can comprehend up to 250 words. Remarkably, breeds such as Border Collies are trained and can understand human language.
The Labrador Retriever Has Been America’s Favorite Dog Breed for Years
Labrador Retriever is the most popular and recognized dog breed in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club. Labradors are often chosen as service dogs, as well as therapy dogs. They are also involved in search and rescue missions. Labradors are also considered one of the best family dogs due to their good temper and easy trainability.
Dogs Have a Special Bond with Humans
The bond between dogs and humans is unique and has evolved over thousands of years of domestication. Studies have shown that when dogs and their owners look into each other’s eyes, both experience an increase in oxytocin levels, which is often referred to as the “love hormone.” This hormone is associated with bonding and social connection, suggesting that dogs and humans have developed a deep emotional connection.
Some Dogs Are Allergic to Humans
While it’s more common for humans to be allergic to dogs, some dogs can be allergic to human dander. Just like human allergies, dog allergies can cause symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and watery eyes. These allergies are usually managed with medication, special shampoos, and sometimes changes in the dog’s environment to reduce exposure to the allergen.
Dogs Can Sense Changes in Weather
Dogs can literally smell weather changes due to their olfactory senses. Also, the smell of rain or snow in the air, interpreted by the sensitive sense of smell, can make a dog get hyper. It might happen that they have a static charge before a storm, or they hear the thunder that is too far yet.
The Largest Litter of Puppies Was 24
A Neapolitan Mastiff named Tia holds the record for giving birth to the largest litter of puppies in 2004. It is an extremely rare event because generally the average litter size for most dog breeds ranges from 4 to 8 puppies. Factors that can influence litter size include the breed, age, and health of the mother.
Dogs Have a Unique Way of Drinking Water
When dogs drink water, they do not suck it into their mouth like we do. Instead, what dogs do is curl their tongues back to make it like a “spoon” or rather a ladle shape. Then they draw it up and quickly lift their head so that all the water that has filled the “ladle” gets into the mouth.
A Dog’s Nose is Wet for a Reason
The moistness in a dog’s nose serves to dissolve scent particles which indirectly makes them smell better. This also means that if the moisture dries up then a dog’s sense of smell disappears. While a dry nose doesn’t necessarily mean a dog is unwell, a consistently wet nose is a good indicator of a healthy and functioning olfactory system.
Dogs Can Be Left or Right-Pawed
Just as humans are left or right-handed, dogs can favor a leg or paw. This is referred to as “pawedness” or “lateralization.” Findings from research reveal that just like humans are either right or left-handed so are dogs “right-pawed,” “left-pawed” or can use both. You can note this by watching which paw they use to pick up a toy or scratch.
The First Dog in Space Was a Russian Stray
The first animal that flew in the cockpit was Laika – a Russian street dog, who roamed the streets of Moscow. Laika was launched into orbit aboard the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 2 in 1957. Laika’s flight helped the scientists understand how their bodies fly in space and helped prepare for future human flights.
Dogs Can Help Improve Our Health
There have been many studies that have shown that owning a dog can provide us with a wealth of health benefits. Firstly, dog ownership has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and increase physical activity. Also, the companionship of a dog lowers the chance of you feeling lonely and depressed.
The Chow Chow and Shar-Pei Have Black Tongues
Chow Chows and Shar-Peis are the only dog breeds with blue-black tongues. No one knows why, but it is thought to be the same kind of pigmentation that causes human birthmarks or freckles. In fact, it would be worrisome if these two dog breeds show pink tongue.
Dogs Can Be Trained to Detect Cancer
Dogs are currently being trained to detect cancer in humans by recognizing the volatile organic compounds associated with it. Dogs have exhibited impressive levels of accuracy while detecting various types of cancer. Dogs are efficient in diagnosing lung, breast, and ovarian cancers by analyzing breath, urine, and blood samples.
A Dog’s Wagging Tail Has Its Own Language
The way a dog wags its tail conveys several different emotions. Generally, a tail wagging leftward signifies negative feelings, and a rightward tilt would imply positive feelings. Sometimes the wags are very small and only visible from near, which is often the case with fearful or overly aggressive dogs.
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