There’s no argument that dogs are fun, loyal and a great addition to a family. They also have innate talents. Here’s some interesting and fun facts about dogs.

The Nose Knows!

A dog’s nose is a fascinating and exquisitely engineered organ and the most important one for a dog. It provides him with a map and an almost complete understanding of the world around him. Here’s why:

  • A dog’s sense of smell is 40 times better than a human’s nose.
  • A dog’s nose has up to 300 million receptors as opposed to just 5 million in a human nose.
  • A dog’s smell center in its brain is 40 times larger than the comparable one in a human brain.
  • Dogs can double-time by breathing and sniffing at the same time. 
  • Every dog has its own, unique nose print.
  • A dog can detect certain medical issues in a human and can alert its human to impending problems.

Ears and Hearing

Dogs are also equipped with finely attuned ears that enable them to hear sounds from further distances and at higher frequencies than humans. Both make them excellent hunters and search and rescue dogs.

Have you noticed how your dog’s ears are in constant motion? There are 18 muscles that control the ear’s movements so, like radar, they can sweep and hear sounds from all directions.

Eyes and Vision

Have you always thought that dogs are colorblind?  Dogs can see variations of blue and yellow shades, while red and green appear to them as variations of gray. 

Another interesting fact is that dogs have 3 eyelids – a top, a bottom, and a third membrane in the corner which removes dust and mucus from the cornea.

Also, if you are out at night and can’t find your way, dogs have outstanding night vision and will help guide your way. 

Feet and Paws

Would you believe that dogs sweat through their paws? Their paws produce an oily liquid that is loaded with pheromone-laden glands that only dogs can smell. So, a hot dog will sweat through its paws but cool down by panting.

Do you know how your dog kicks backward after doing its business? Each dog has its own unique smell, which is produced by the glands on its paws. Kicking marks the spot for other dogs and is the reason they will often poop or pee in the same spot. 

How Dogs Behave

Here are some interesting facts about dog behavior, starting with…

  • Dogs dream, just like us. When they twitch and their legs seem to be in forward motion, it is indicative that they are dreaming of chasing balls or butterflies.
  • Dogs are as smart as a 2-year-old child and can understand more than 150 words. Now you know why your dog gets the zoomies when you say the word “W-A-L-K.”
  • Did you know that tail wagging is a very precise communication tool? Wags to the right say a happy dog; wags to the left say a frightened dog; rapid, low wagging along with tense body and dilated pupils – watch out, aggressive dog.
  • Would you believe there is such a thing as pooping patterns? You know how your dog twirls around before finally settling on the “perfect” spot? Scientists believe this is because the dog prefers to poop facing north or south to orient his internal compass to align with the earth’s magnetic field. 
  • Surely dogs don’t get jealous, do they? Yes indeed, they do. Your dog has its own way of showing its jealousy, but his behavior is on par with a 2-year-old’s display of jealousy. 
  • It’s essential that you be the alpha with your dog, right? Not so fast. New theories debunk this, negating the idea of a dominance approach with dogs. Rules and boundaries are important, but respect is the watchword as opposed to aversive techniques.

Fascinating Breed Facts

All dogs are special, whether pure or mixed breed, but some breeds carry along some particularly fascinating facts.

  • Border collies are the smartest of all breeds.
  • The oldest breed is a Saluki – a slim dog originally used by kings for hunting and now an affectionate family dog.
  • Newfoundlands are talented water dogs and are often used to perform water rescues.
  • Basenjis, known for not barking, do make noise, but in the form of a howl!
  • Thought to be an American original dog, the Labrador Retriever, actually hails from Newfoundland. Plus, the breed has been on the 10 most popular list for over 30 years
  • On the other hand, the Australian Shepherd doesn’t come from Australia, but rather, it is an American original.
  • The greyhound can beat a cheetah in a race. Though the cheetah runs at speeds up to 75 mph, it can only hold that speed for 30 seconds, while the greyhound can run for 7 miles at 45 mph.
  • Both the Shar-pei and Chow Chow have black tongues.

Believe It or Not

And here are some more surprising and interesting facts about our favorite pets!

  • At the end of the recording of their song, “Day in the Life,” the Beatles included a frequency at the end that can only be heard by canine ears.
  • Do you know how your dog stubbornly stands staring at you when it’s 5 minutes past dinner time? Dogs have an impeccable sense of timing, and no worries, because they will keep you on schedule.
  • Would you believe that 3 dogs survived the Titanic disaster? They were 2 Pomeranians and a Pekingese.
  • The dog who lived the longest was an Australian Cattle dog who died at the age of 29!
  • Do you know why dogs curl up when they sleep? It’s an instinctual thing to protect their internal organs from potential predators and to keep themselves warm.
  • More than half of our United States presidents had dogs, with Calvin Coolidge winning the prize with 12!
  • There are 900 million dogs in the world, 200 million of which are strays. 
  • France has the highest ratio of pet dogs to people, with 17 for every 100 persons.
  • The United States has more pet dogs than any other country with a total of 75 million.

Dogs are indeed amazing and we are so fortunate to have them in our lives!