An ultimate dog lover knows their dog very well. Everything is interesting about these creatures and there is so much to know about them. Whether it’s a scientific fact, canine statistics, studies about their behavior, dog history, or simply interesting dog facts, all these are definitely worth knowing.
We consider them as best friends from the day that we get to take care of them. The more we spend time with them, the more we realize that they’re our loyal companions. But, how much do we really know about them, or about their population in general? The more we know about them, the better we can take care of our furry buddies. Let’s get into the interesting dog facts that you shouldn’t miss.
All About Canines 101: These Interesting Dog Facts Will Blow Your Mind
1. The first ever living creature sent to space was a mongrel stray dog named Laika in the Soviet spacecraft called Sputnik 2. She lasted about 103 minutes orbiting the Earth.
2. Contrary to the popular belief that dogs are colorblind, they just don’t have a color receptor for the color red but they can see in black, white, blue, and yellow.
3. Much like a human fingerprint, a dog’s nose print is unique.
4. Recent statistics revealed that about 63.4 million households in the United States alone own at least one dog.
5. For 30 consecutive years, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed ever, up until this day.
6. The Basenji, known as a hound or hunting dog, is considered to be a “barkless dog breed.”
7. Around 48 million dogs are there in the United States, which is considered to be the country with the highest population of canines.
8. Chihuahuas are considered to be the smallest breed while Great Danes are the largest breed according to the American Kennel Club.
9. Just like human beings, dogs dream too. Accordingly, senior dogs and puppies dream more compared to regular adult dogs.
10. Their sweat glands are only found in their paws.
11. There are special dogs who offer services known as “service dogs” who aid people with disabilities. They are considered as necessary medical equipment in the United States. On the other hand, there are also dogs who provide mental health support to people in places like hospitals and retirement homes.
12. The wetness of dogs’ noses can help absorb scent chemicals which allow them to smell better than we do. According to research, they can smell 10,000 times better than we do.
13. A puppy is born blind, deaf, and toothless.
14. Our furry best friends only have 1,700 taste buds compared to 9,000 taste buds of ours in the tongue.
15. Panting helps dogs to cool down due to their lack of sweat glands.
16. Our dogs tend to curl up when they sleep to protect their vital organs while keeping themselves warm at the same time.
17. Their whiskers are used as a sensing device.
18. Their average body temperature is higher compared to humans which is around 101 to 102.5 degrees.
19. Most canines have pink tongues except Shar-pies and how-chows who both have black tongues.
20. There was a German Shepherd named “Rin Tin Tin” who was known for acting in movies. He was even nominated for an Academy Award.
21. George Lucas, a.k.a. The creator of the Star Wars universe, was inspired by his family dog and created creatures known as the Ewoks (these creatures first appeared in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
22. Dogs poop based on a pattern in accordance with the Earth’s magnetic field. They like to poop in a north or south orientation.
23. Chocolates may be harmless to humans but not to dogs. These indulgent sweets contain a toxic ingredient (for dogs) known as Theobromine.
24. Greyhounds are considered to be the fastest breed ever. They can run up to 45 miles per hour.
25. The world’s most popular names for canines are Bailey, Max, and Charlie (for males) as well as Bella, Lucy, and Molly (for females).
26. If you’re allergic to fur but still want to own a dog, the Maltese breed is perfect for you because they do not shed.
27. There are 190 dog breeds worldwide recognized by the American Kennel Club.
28. According to research, about 30% of the Dalmatians population are deaf in one of their ears while 5% are deaf in both of their ears.
29. Dogs can aid in detecting medical issues due to their amazing sense of smell.
30. An adult canine has 42 teeth.
31. Dogs have sensitive ears so there are frequencies that they hear better than we do. According to Paul McCartney, member of The Beatles, there’s a sound only dogs can hear in their song entitled “A Day in the Life.”
32. According to scientists, the first dog lived 31,700 years ago.
33. Canine intelligence resembles a two-year-old infant’s intelligence.
34. The Border Collies are known to be the smartest breed in the world.
35. Spiked dog collars originated in Ancient Greece to protect dogs from wolf attacks.
36. Despite their intelligence that is at the level of an infant’s, they can be taught to count and solve basic math.
37. Canines can also be taught different words and gestures.
38. Having a dog as a companion can improve your physical health. Your blood pressure can be reduced by simply petting a dog!
39. An average dog’s lifespan is between 10-13 years.
40. The Guinness Book of Records recognizes an Australian-cattle dog named Bluey as the dog with the longest lifespan. Bluey lived up to 29 years.
The Takeaway
We may be with our canine pals every single day and it may seem like we know everything about them, but we hope that you enjoyed reading these 40 interesting dog facts. These are just some of the things that you should know about your furry buddy out of the millions of other things you should know about them. They’re not just part of our daily life. They’re part of our family, history, and pop culture.