Think you know everything there is to know about your furry friend? Think again! Here are 12 facts about dogs that you’ve definitely never heard before!
900 million dogs in the world
It’s safe to say that dogs are humanity’s best friend. The most popular dog breeds are the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Bulldog, Golden Retriever, and Beagle.
The United States has the highest count of dogs at 70 million, with China as the second-largest at 27 million
Research suggests that the first dogs in the United States were not domesticated from wolves. In fact, it is more likely that domesticated dogs traveled with migrating humans.
Thomas Jefferson helped enact a dog tax in Virginia because he was “annoyed that dogs were killing his sheep”
Apparently, Thomas Jefferson had some bad experiences with dogs attacking his livestock. He came up with the idea of dog licensing, i.e. dog collars and tags. Though we consider it more for the protection of the dog, he proposed it as a way to blame the owner of the dog for acting out.
A dog's sense of smell is reduced by up to 40 percent when he's overheated and panting
For dogs, smelling and breathing are two different functions. When a dog is panting hard, their sense of smell decreases as their focus on breathing increases.
Service dogs are recognized in the U.S. as "necessary medical equipment"
By law, service animals are not considered pets. This is due to the American’s with Disabilities Act that mandates that establishments must provide equal access and accessibility to disabled Americans. Service animals perform tasks that allow a person equal access. Therefore, they are recognized as medical equipment, like an oxygen tank or a wheelchair.
In ancient China, people kept warm by putting dogs up their sleeves.
The Pekinese breed was incredibly popular among Chinese Emperors. Due to their small size, they could be placed in the Emperor's sleeves for warmth.
Dogs have twice as many muscles to move their ears as humans
Have you noticed that dog ears move in several directions? They have 18 muscles in their ears that allow them to move their ears independently, allowing for better hearing and communication.
Dogs noses are wet to help absorb scent chemicals
Dogs’ noses are wet due to mucus secretion. This mucus allows them to absorb scent chemicals and follow the trail more easily.
Three dogs survived the Titanic sinking
Unfortunately, dogs were lost during the sinking of the Titanic. However, three did survive — two Pomeranians and a Pekinese.
The Beatles song ‘A Day in the Life’ has a frequency only dogs can hear
Known as a dog-whistle, there is a 15-kilohertz frequency spliced in around the five-minute mark. Play it for your dog and see how they react!
A Greyhound could beat a Cheetah in a long-distance race
Cheetahs are by far the fastest animal on the planet, clocking a top speed of 50-80 mph. However, they cannot maintain that speed for long periods of time. If racing long distances, the Greyhound running at 45 mph will ultimately prevail.
Dogs have three eyelids
Their third eyelid is located at the bottom inner part of the eye. It protects the eyeball from any dust and foreign substances. This eyelid is typically unseen unless irritation occurs.
Bonus Fact: It’s never too early to provide joint supplements to your dog
You might think joint supplements are just for elderly dogs, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Giving your pup joint supplements at a young age can help prevent joint problems from manifesting later in life. Preventative care is essential to giving your dog the healthy life they deserve! Check out the PupGrade Joint Supplement here!
What fact surprised you the most? Comment below!
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