Fun Facts About Dogs
Updated Mar 26, 2024
Fun Facts about Dogs
For thousands of years, dogs have been our companions, our best friends, and above all, our family. That’s why we’re so obsessed with dog facts and information! We’re fascinated with our four-legged friends and want to learn everything about them. There’s so much to learn about our best friend with so much love, affection, and companionship. There are many things about dogs that distinguish them from other animals, such as their warmth, their softness and their ability to inspire us with unconditional love.
1. The “smell” center of a dog’s brain is 40 times larger than us
A dog’s sense of smell is 1000 times stronger than a human’s. Dogs have millions of more scent receptors than humans. For instance, a human nose has an average of five million receptors. A Dachshund, on the other hand, has 125 million. Dogs can sense drugs, corpses, insects, explosives, and many other things that humans cannot smell.
2. No two dog noses are the same
A dog's nose is like a fingerprint. Every dog's nose has its own unique set of ridges and creases.
3. Tail wagging has its own language
Right-to-left tail wagging indicates happiness, and left-to-right tail wagging indicates fear. Low-to-low tail wagging indicates insecurity. Rapid tail wagging, accompanied by tight muscles or puffy eyes, can indicate aggression.
4. Dogs only have sweat glands in their paws
Even though they sweat through the pads on their paws, panting is their primary way of cooling down. So, these long-haired pups are definitely hot.
5. Dog’s feet might smell like corn
Frito feet are a condition in which sweat and bacteria accumulate in your dog’s paws. For some pet owners, the smell of fritters (corn chips or popcorn) may linger in their dog’s body.
6. Dogs’ pooping has a pattern
This is one of many behaviors that puzzle scientists, but the most popular explanation is that it’s related to Earth's Magnetic field. Dogs prefer to go to the north or south when they need to poop, and turning around helps them find their internal compass.
7. Dogs aren’t actually color-blind
One of the most common misconceptions is that dogs only see black and white. In reality, your dog can see the entire spectrum of colors. While they can’t tell the difference between green and red, they can tell the difference between gray and brown tones. They can also tell the difference between blue and yellow tones.
8. Dogs heat up more quickly than humans
Dogs have a slightly higher body temperature (about 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit) than humans, so higher temperatures can have a greater impact on them.
9. Sticking out your hand isn’t the best way to introduce yourself to a new dog
Here's another one of those facts that aren't entirely true about dogs. Just putting your hand in front of a stranger's face can spook or make them feel threatened. It's better to let the dog come to you first and then offer your hand to them to smell. Don't just assume they want to and wave your hand under their nose. And approach them from the side, not from the front, if you have to approach them from the front.
10. Trying to be “dominant” over your dog is not the best approach
Despite its long-standing popularity, the ‘dominance’ approach to dog training is beginning to catch on. “Don’t try to control your dog’s behavior,” says Hartstein. “It’s important to establish a routine and help your dog understand boundaries and rules, but don’t listen to conventional wisdom about dominance.”
11. Dogs sniff butts to learn about each other
The fact that butt-sniffing is a common dog greeting. A dog’s rear end is home to glands that produce pheromones, which contain information about everything from the sex of the dog to its health and diet. So the butt-sniff is basically a dog’s way of getting a first impression.
12. Petting dogs can lower your blood pressure
Petting puppies can lower your blood pressure by as much as 10 percent. According to the AKC, petting the dog also lowers blood pressure of the dog.
13. Dogs have three eyelids
Each dog has three eyelids! Aside from the top and bottom eyelids, they also have a nictitating membrane in the back of their eye. This nictitating membrane is mainly used to remove dust and dirt from their cornea.
14. Newfoundlands make the perfect lifeguards
This breed has a waterproof coat and webbed legs, making them great swimmers. Originally, these dogs were bred to assist fishermen and save people from drowning. Some Newfoundland owners have even reported their dogs swimming alongside them and trying to save them.
15. A Bloodhound’s sense of smell can be used in court
A Bloodhound’s sense of smell is so acute that it can actually serve as evidence in a court of law. Its scent membranes allow it to distinguish odors at least a thousand times better than a human.
Bloodhounds are often used to track down missing people and track down criminals. They can track tracks that are over 300 hours old, and they can follow a trail for up to 130 miles.
16. Dogs have a sense of time
Dogs know the time difference between 1 hour and 6 hours. With proper training and conditioning, your dog can predict what time it will be for walks and meals as long as it happens at the same time every day.
17. Obesity is dogs’ number one health problem
Obesity is as much of a health issue for people as it is for dogs. Over 50% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight, and this number has been steadily increasing for many years due to overconsumption of calories, lack of exercise, and human scraps. Not only does obesity affect your dog's health, but it can also lead to other health issues that can shorten their lifespan.
18. Three dogs survived the Titanic
In 1912, three dogs made history by surviving the sinking of the Titanic, two Pomeranian and one Pekingese, were traveling in first class. Most likely, they survived because of their size, but not at the cost of human passengers.
19. The oldest dog lived to be 29
Recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest surviving Australian Cattle Dog is Bluey, who lived from 1910 to 1939. He was 29 years old at the time. Bluey lived with his owner, Les Hall, in Victoria, Australia. He worked with Hall's sheep and cattle.
20. Chocolate can be fatal for dogs
Chocolate contains theobromine. Theobromine is a compound in chocolate that dogs can’t digest. Eating chocolate can cause a toxic build-up in their digestive system. This build-up can be fatal.
21. Dogs sleep curled up because of instinct
Dogs don't curl up in their sleep just because they're cute. They curl up because of a biological need to protect their organs and stay warm.
22. Basenjis are the only “barkless” dog in the world
While Basenjis don't bark, they certainly do not stay quiet. Some people describe the sound they make as a “howl”, while others say it is more like a “yodel”. Shouts and screams have even caused police to come knocking on the doors of owners of Basenjis, as they were trying to save someone in distress.
23. Dogs can learn more than 1,000 words
Dogs have an amazing sense of vocabulary, with the ability to learn more than 1,000 words! For example, a Border Collie named Chaser knows both nouns and verbs and can understand them enough to shape an action.
24. The world’s oldest dog breed is a Saluki
For thousands of years, the Saluki has been the hunting dog of the king. A slender breed, they are incredibly strong with perfect balance. The Saluki are very independent, but they will always stay with their family.
25. More than half of United States presidents have owned dogs
When it comes to presidents, they really do love their dogs. In fact, more than half of American Presidents have had one or more dogs. Calvin Coolidge had at least 12 dogs.
26. The best time to bring a puppy home is between 7–8 weeks
According to many veterinarians and breeders, the best time to bring your new puppy home is between 7-8 weeks. The biggest reason for this is the puppy's socialization period. This is typically from weeks 6-12. During this time, puppies learn the normal behaviors of their new home. Entering their new home is the best time for them to adjust to their new surroundings.
27. Dogs can learn the subway
Moscow, Russia, is home to some of the world’s most notorious stray dogs. They’ve mastered the art of getting on and off the Metro at regular stops to look for food, and the commuters have gotten so used to seeing them on the trains that they don’t even notice them anymore. There are an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 stray dogs living in Moscow alone. It’s a testament to how resilient these dogs are.
28. There are around 900 million dogs in the world
The latest estimates put the number at 900 million dogs. About 75% to 85% of these dogs are free range, which means they’re not owned by humans. Another 200 million are strays, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since many countries require pet registration, France has the highest number of pet dogs, with 17 dogs per 100 people.
29. Dogs get the zoomies because they are excited
Dog owners are likely all too familiar with the zoomies. These random bursts of energy are a sign that your dog is excited, especially when you’re nearby to enjoy their temporary burst of energy.On other occasions, though, the zoomies can be a symptom of anxiety after a busy day at the dog park or a visit to the vet.
30. Your dog stares for a reason
Your dog is just trying to figure out what it wants from you in order to please you. It wants a connection and a response. Or maybe your dog just likes you and wants to see you.
Amazing Facts About Dogs
1. Dogs have 18 muscles to move their ears.
Ears aren’t just for scratching. They’re used for more than that. With 18 muscles, dogs’ ears are able to move in complex patterns, which is essential for hearing. A dog’s ears can tell you a lot about how they feel. If they’re flat against your head, they may be worried. If they point straight up, your dog is alert and ready to go after something.
2. Small dogs can hear sounds in higher ranges than big dogs.
Small dogs seem to be even better at hearing high-frequency sounds.Dogs also have higher-frequency hearing than humans. Dogs can hear frequencies that are twice as high as human ears, which is what makes them great rescue dogs in the first place.Science Focus explains that the smaller the mammal's head, the higher the frequency it can hear and compare between each ear. This is how dogs (and humans) determine where sound is coming from.
3. Dogs are more aggressive when being walked by a man.
The leash, the owner’s gender, and the dog’s gender are all factors that influence a dog’s aggression when walking. Dogs that are walked by a man are 4x more likely to bite and attack another dog. Dogs not only respond to other dogs’ behavior and posture, but they also respond to people.
4. Dogs can be right-pawed or left-pawed.
While some dogs are ambilateral ( they don’t favor one side over the other), some dogs do have a dominant hand, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). In contrast to humans, who have a much higher degree of right-handedness, dogs are just as likely to have right-hand dominance, left-hand dominance, or no preference at all.
5. Whiskers help dogs see in the dark.
Nerve clusters in the dog’s snout send sensory signals to the brain. Dogs’ snouts are multifunctional sensory devices that allow them to navigate and navigate in tight spaces, especially in low-visibility environments.
6. Dogs can smell your feelings.
A dog’s sense of smell can also be used to interpret human emotions. “Dogs can sense stress and fear, as well as happy emotions,” according to Psychology Today. But there’s no proof that dogs are more aggressive when they’re around a fearful person. In fact, they’re more likely to mimic that feeling.
7. Storms can actually hurt dogs
According to National Geographic, the sound frequencies emitted during storms can cause pain to your dog’s ears.Static electricity, which builds up in dogs’ fur as a result of changes in pressure, can also cause pain.When your dog is barking during a storm, it’s not just that they don’t know what’s going on, they may be having a physical reaction.
8. Dogs feel envy.
If you have two or more dogs, you’ve probably noticed that one of them gets upset when the other gets a treat or attention. In a 2008 study conducted at the Vienna University of Technology, researchers had dogs perform a simple trick to get a food treat. After a few minutes, only one of the dogs in the group got the treat.However, the second dog didn’t just refuse to do the trick, it also showed symptoms of stress.
When researchers repeated the experiment on a single dog in the same room, the second dog continued to do the trick for longer periods of time after the treats had stopped coming. This suggests that dogs do experience some degree of jealousy.
9. Smaller dogs live longer than larger adult dogs.
Smaller dogs live longer than larger adult dogs. This is because larger dogs age more quickly. According to a 2013 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the median lifespan of large dogs was 13.38 years and the median lifespan of small dogs was 13.95 years.
10. Dogs can help their owners live longerAccording to the American Heart Association, dog owners not only live longer than non-dog owners, but they also have a better chance of surviving and recovering from major health issues, such as heart attacks or strokes. Dogs can also increase your production of ‘happy hormones’ like oxytocin and serotonin, as well as dopamine, which can help reduce stress hormones like cortisol. Dogs can also help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduce depression, and improve your fitness.
