Dogs are incredible companions full of equally amazing surprises. From their renowned noses to their more unique ways of communicating, dogs have been surprising owners for thousands of years.
In this post, we’ve gathered 20 fun facts about dogs, from scientifically interesting ones to those that may just blow your mind.
Dogs Have an Incredible Sense of Smell
One cool fact about dogs is their sense of smell. It’s up to 100,000 times stronger than ours. They can detect senses that are invisible to us, even at distances far away. This incredible sense of smell is one of the reasons why dogs are a core part of search and rescue missions.
Dogs Can Dream Just Like Humans
If you’ve ever seen your dog twitch or move while they sleep, then they’re probably dreaming. Scientists found out that dogs can also experience REM sleep, which is the same stage where humans dream. Here, the dog’s brain activity increases, and muscles can involuntarily twitch.
It’s an amazing fact about dogs that many owners don’t even know about.
Dogs Have Super Hearing
Aside from a sensitive sense of smell, dogs also have super hearing. While humans can hear sounds from 20 - 20,000 Hz, dogs can hear sounds from 40 - 60,000 Hz. They can also hear sounds that are farther away, up to four times the distance.
This is all thanks to their ear structure. As a matter of fact, dogs have around 18 ear muscles that allow them to move, rotate, and tilt their ears to pinpoint the source of the sounds accurately.
Humans Have Domesticated Dogs for Thousands of Years
Another interesting dog fact is their relationship with humans. Dogs have been the first animals domesticated. They were used for hunting and guarding, perfect companions for humans at the time.
Dogs Don’t Sweat Like Humans
Dogs don't have sweat glands all over their bodies. They only sweat through the nose and pads of their paws, which helps them release a little heat. To cool off, they mostly rely on panting. This interesting fact about dogs is why you’ll see them sticking their tongues out on hot days.
A Dog’s Tail Communicates Feelings
Dogs use their tails to communicate their feelings, like excitement, curiosity, or fear. If the dog’s tail is wagging quickly, then it’s most likely happy and excited. If it’s slow and tucked between the legs, then the dog is cautious and fearful.
The direction of the wag also matters. If it’s on the right, the dog is mostly experiencing positive emotions, while if it’s on the left, then there are some negative emotions.
Dogs Have a Unique Nose Print
Just like a human’s fingerprint, dogs have a unique nose print that has a special set of ridges and lines. This dog fact meant that no two dogs have the same print, which is a great form of identification that can be used if needed. Some pet organizations even record the nose prints for identification purposes.
Puppies Are Born Blind and Deaf
When puppies are born, their eyes and ears are closed. This means that they don’t see or hear anything around them, making them fully rely on their mother for warmth, food, and safety.
Around 2 weeks after birth, their senses start to develop, and it’s when they start to see and hear the world.
Adult Dogs Have More Teeth Than Humans
An adult dog has 42 teeth, while humans only have 32. Each of their teeth serves a specific purpose. Incisors are for nibbling and grooming, canines are for holding and tearing, premolars are for chewing and shearing, and molars are for grinding and crushing.
A Dog’s Whiskers Help Them Navigate
The whiskers you see on a dog’s face are more than just some accessory hairs. They’re actually sensitive receptors that help dogs sense objects and movements around them because the whiskers detect air currents and vibrations. This helps them with navigation, movement, and protection.
Dogs Have Three Eyelids
Dogs have a special third eyelid called the nictitating membrane. This thin later helps keep their eyes clean and moist, shielding them from dust and debris. It’s located at the inner corner of the eye and moves automatically.
This is the reason why dogs have such healthy eyes, even in harsh and rough environments.
Dogs Can Tell Time Using Their Senses
While dogs can’t read clocks, they can sense time passing through smell and routine. This means that they can sense how much a person’s scent has faded, and other environmental cues that are repeated daily. When your dog misses you, these factors will help them wait.
Plus, dogs also have an internal body clock that tells them when to be active and when to sleep.
Dogs Can Be Left or Right-Pawed
Another fun fact about dogs is that they can be left or right-pawed. Some can even be ambidextrous. You can test this by watching which paw your dog uses first to shake, step, or reach for a toy.
This is a great dog fact for kids, as you can also include them in the process of seeing if your dog is left or right-pawed.
Dogs Can Smell Human Stress
Dogs have always been used for service and therapy, not just for their sweet personalities, but also because of their ability to smell human stress. When humans get stressed, the body releases certain chemicals that dogs can detect.
So if you’re having a stressful day and you see your best friend approaching you, just remember this dog fact.
Some Dogs Are Natural Lifeguards
Another interesting fact about dogs is that some are natural lifeguards, with the Newfoundland as the prime example. This is because Newfoundlands have water-resistant coats and webbed feet, perfect for swimming. Plus, their strong bodies also make them excellent swimmers.
A Dog's Nose Stays Wet for a Reason
One dog fact known to all pet owners is that their noses are wet. Aside from its purpose in sweating and temperature regulation, a dog’s wet nose also helps them smell better by capturing scent particles. Plus, it also helps them taste their food when they lick their noses.
Dogs Can Learn by Watching Humans and Other Dogs
Another cool fact about dogs is that they are observant and watchful. This means that they can easily adapt and learn new behaviors just by watching others. If one dog learns to open a door or fetch a toy, others can easily learn how to as well.
Their naturally curious personalities make them excellent at learning new skills.
Dogs Can Be Jealous
Dogs can show jealousy when they see their owners giving attention to someone else, especially when another pet is involved. They might bark, nudge, or try to squeeze between you and the other person or pet. This dog fact shows how deeply they bond with their owners.
The Oldest Dog in History Lived for 31 Years
The oldest dog ever recorded is Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo from Portugal. This milestone was recorded by the Guinness World Records, but was shortly put under review due to questions regarding the verification process.
Dogs Can Sniff Out Diseases
Another amazing fact about dogs is their ability to sniff out diseases. It happens when people with illnesses release chemical changes in breath, sweat, or urine. This helps them identify diseases like cancer, diabetes, and malaria.
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