Everybody loves dogs. They are cute, fun, cuddly, and silly. Sure, dog care is expensive and all but that’s nothing compared to the love, loyalty, and safety they bring to you and your home. Here are 50 fun, amazing, and weird dog facts to make you appreciate your four-legged best friend even more.
- Do you like dogs, but hate the noise they make? Basenjis are the only dogs in the world that cannot bark.
- There are claims that the number of purebred dog breeds is 703. As of September 2021, the AKC currently registers 197.
- The cute, clever, and cuddly Dachshund was originally bred to hunt and fight badgers.
- A study shows that the ranking for the world’s smartest dogs is: (1) border collie, (2) poodle, and (3) golden retriever.
- Don’t tell them we told you, but Dr. Stanley Coren says the dumbest dog is believed to be the Afghan hound.
- A dog’s sense of smell is more than 100,000 times superior to that of us humans.
- …which they need because they are compensating for their less than impressive eyesight.
- This is how dogs judge objects: by movement, by brightness, and by shape.
- The reason dogs can’t eat chocolate is that it contains a caffeine-like substance called theobromine that can make them sick, and potentially kill them too.
- George Washington’s choice of dog breed is the foxhound. He had thirty-six of them during his lifetime.
- All dogs regardless of size and breed have 321 bones and 42 permanent teeth
- … but smaller breeds mature faster than their larger counterparts.
- The windows for female dogs in which they are“in heat” are few and far in between. Just twice a year for a total of 20 days.
- Puppies like babies need lots of sleep. They spend ninety percent of their first few weeks snoozing.
- Rin Tin Tin is considered to be Hollywood’s first dog star. He lived during the Silent Film Era.
- Here’s a bonus Rin Tin Tin fun fact for old Hollywood heads out there: he signed movie contracts with his pawprint.
- Many think that Wizard of Oz’s Toto was a boy dog. False. The loyal pet was played by a female Cairn Terrier named Terry. Now that’s method acting!
- Experts say that a dog’s vision is not fully developed until after the first month.
- Dogs use two times as many muscles as humans to move their ears.
- Boop and snoof: the longer a dog’s nose, the more effective its internal cooling system is.
- A woman was once saved by her Yorkshire Terrier from an 80-pound Akita.
- U.S. Customs K9 units “Rocky” and “Barco” were so good at their jobs that the Mexican cartel put a $300,000 bounty on their heads.
- Dogs are all direct descendants of the grey wolf.
- Wolves and dogs are still genetically compatible to produce wolfdogs.
- A mother’s sacrifice: Female wolves travel great distances to regurgitate full meals for their pups.
- In Greek mythology, Cerberus was the tri-headed dog that guarded the gates to the underworld.
- Mama dogs carry their puppies in their uterus for 60 days.
- A puppy’s sense of hearing is more than ten times more powerful than an adult human. So be silent when they are sleeping.
- Avoid blasting loud music or operating heavy machinery around dogs. They can sense frequencies of 30,000 times per second to our 20,000.
- The earliest dog fossil dates back to nearly 10,000 B.C.
- Bloodhounds are famous for their ability to identify several scents simultaneously
- Where are the spots? Dalmatian puppies are born completely white.
- Carrying tiny puppies in purses is nothing new. The Ancient Chinese carried Pekingese pups in the sleeves of their robes.
- Boxers got their name from pugilist prizefighters because of how they played with their front paws.
- It’s in the genes. All that wolf blood and centuries of hunting are still ingrained in modern dogs. All breeds of dogs have been found to attack livestock regardless of age and size.
- No wonder they are always excited and anxious. A dog’s heart beats up to 50% faster than the average human.
- Dogs have relatively short lifespans. The oldest dog on record was a Queensland “Heeler” named Bluey who lived to be 29 years, 5 months old.
- American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician Davy Crockett once had a dog named Sport.
- The relationship between man and man’s best friend dates back to caveman times.
- Remember Bluey the 29-year-old dog? That’s a rare feat because dogs only live up to 15 years on average.
- Clip your dogs’ nasty toenails. Many canine foot disorders are simply an issue of bad hygiene.
- Here’s a stat that will make you smile: Every year, more than 5,000,000 puppies are born in the U.S.
- Dogs are still the top choice for pets for most American families. More than 1 in 3 American households own a dog
- The average body temperature for a dog is around 101.2 degrees. Keep them cool and hydrated.
- Training and caring for dogs are essential life skills. Both the Girl and Boy Scouts offer merit badges for these.
- Dogs are naturally drawn to packs so make sure to schedule play dates with other owners.
- Dogs respect authority. They are naturally submissive to any creature with higher pack status.
- In addition to sleeping a lot, puppies’ eyes do not fully open until they’re about 12 days old.
- Dogs are social animals. Make sure to give them human contact in the first three months so they would make good pets.
- The Chihuahua originated from a place in Mexico where they were first discovered.
Do you know other weird facts about dogs? Love them? Read our Part 1 if you missed it.
