Fun Facts About Dogs Part 2

In today’s blog, we’re diving into some unexpected and, of course, fun facts about dogs that will make you look at your furry friend in a whole new light. Whether you’re a dog lover or just curious, these quirky tidbits are sure to bring a smile to your face and remind you why dogs are so special. Let’s explore some fun dog facts that you may not have known!

Dogs are often called a person’s best friend”, and for good reason. They are loyal, loving, and full of surprises. Whether you’re a lifelong dog owner or just an admirer of these furry companions, there’s no shortage of fascinating facts that make dogs even more amazing than we already know. From their incredible sense of smell to their unique way of communicating with humans, dogs have a range of traits and behaviours that often leave us in awe.

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell. It is estimated to be 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than humans … that’s crazy! Their mind-blowing olfactory abilities allow them to sniff things out. These include drugs, locating missing people, detecting diseases like cancer and more. Their senses can even be picking up on subtle changes in their owner’s emotions. This heightened sense of smell is due to the large number of scent receptors in their noses. Which is up to 300 million, compared to about 5 million in humans.

Due to dogs’ out-of-this-world hearing, they can easily pick up sounds that are completely undetectable to the human ear. These include ultrasonic sounds like those produced by dog whistles. A dog’s hearing range is from 40 Hz to 60 Hz, compared to humans, who can only hear between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. Which is why they can sense approaching people or animals well before they are visible.

Many organisations and pet registries have started using nose prints as a reliable form of identification for dogs. This is in the event when a dog is not microchipped and has no identification tag on its collar. This is because, like human fingerprints, a dog’s nose print is completely unique, and it has refined ridges, bumps and patterns that create a one-of-a-kind design, making it easier to identify a lost dog.

Like humans, dogs experience REM (Rapid Eye Movement ) sleep, which is the stage when dreaming typically occurs, and their brains are most active during rest. There is a good chance your dog is dreaming if you see them moving their paws, twitching or even softly barking. Researchers believe that dogs tend to dream about things they have experienced during the day. Things such as barking at the postman, playing with their favourite people, or running around the garden.

Although dogs can have bad dreams, too! A sign your dog is having a bad dream is that they will whimper, growl or appear distressed, and just like us, their dreams are a window to their emotions and memories. It’s generally advised not to wake a dog while they’re dreaming, especially if it looks like they’re having a nightmare. Interrupting a dog’s sleep, particularly during REM sleep, can confuse or startle them. Which may lead to defensive reactions, including biting. It’s safest to let them wake up naturally.

The barkless dog, also known as the Basenji, is an ancient and unique dog breed. Unlike your labradors, huskies, or dachshunds, the Basenji doesn’t bark – well, not like other dogs. They make a noise that resembles a yodel and is often described as a baroo. There are a few reasons why they don’t bark. One of the reasons is due to them having a differently shaped larynx (voice box) compared to other breeds. The breed originated from Central Africa, and it was used as a hunting companion where stealth was key. Barking could scare off prey or alert predators, so silence was actually a benefit. Over time, natural selection likely favoured dogs that were quieter. And finally, Basenjis are known for their cat-like independence and quiet demeanour. They don’t typically vocalise to get attention or express excitement like other dogs might.

It is important to keep your dog cool during the summer months, as unlike humans, who sweat from their forehead, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and chest, dogs can only sweat from their paws, and due to the area being so small, dogs regulate their body temperature by panting. Panting helps evaporate moisture from its tongue, nasal passages, and the lining of its lungs, which helps to disperse excess heat and maintain a safe internal temperature. To help keep your dog cool this summer, make sure their water bowls are always full of cold,, fresh water; avoid walking your dog at the hottest part of the day – you could go early in the morning or once the sun has set – or even consider using a cooling mat or a paddling pool.

A dog’s wet nose has two main purposes. The first reason is it improves their ability to smell. The moisture helps catch scent particles floating in the air, allowing dogs to identify odours more easily. The second reason is that it helps control their body temperature. When the wetness on their nose dries up, it makes them feel cooler, which is especially helpful on hot days.

Dogs have a remarkable skill for sensing emotions. They can sense emotions around them by watching people’s faces, and so they can sense if their owners are happy, sad or angry, which helps them bond with people and offer support. Research shows dogs are excellent at detecting human emotions, which is why they make great support animals. So, if a person is cheerful, dogs might be more playful and loving. If they sense sadness or stress, dogs usually become gentle and comforting. When they pick up on anger, dogs often adjust their behaviour to avoid conflict or to provide comfort.

Greyhounds were initially bred for racing and hunting purposes. These dogs are specifically designed to chase animals quickly due to their impressive speed and agility. Known for their ability to reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour (72 km/h), they have earned a reputation for being incredibly fast. Greyhounds have slim and aerodynamic bodies, perfect for running at fast speeds. Additionally, they have excellent stamina, which means they can maintain their high speed for long periods. This combination of speed, build, and endurance makes greyhounds some of the best runners in the animal kingdom.

Dogs were one of the first animals to be domesticated by humans, with their bond dating back more than 15,000 years. In ancient times, early humans developed close relationships with wolves, who were assisted by hunting or guarding camps. In exchange, the wolves were given leftover food, strengthening the partnership that eventually led to the domesticated dogs we know today. Over many years, these wild wolves gradually changed into the faithful dogs we know and love today as our loyal companions.

When dogs relax the muscles in their faces, especially around their eyes and mouth, they often look like they are smiling. This relaxed expression is known as a “doggy smile”. It shows that the dog is happy, content, or feels safe. Dogs use these small facial expressions to show their feelings to humans. You can often see this “smile” when dogs are playing, after they have been running around, or when they are getting love and attention from their owners. Understanding these signs can help make the bond between dogs and their owners stronger.

The oldest dog on record was a Blue Heeler named Bluey, who lived an incredible 29 years and 5 months. Born in 1910, Bluey spent his life working as a herding dog on a cattle and sheep farm in Australia. His long life and active lifestyle made him a legendary figure among dog lovers and veterinarians alike, often cited as an example of the benefits of regular exercise and a purposeful routine.

Lateralisation is when a dog shows a preference for one paw over the other, just like humans do when we’re either left-handed or right-handed! It’s a fun little quirk that you can often spot if you watch closely. You might notice your dog constantly reaching for a toy, grabbing a treat, or even stepping forward with the same paw first. Over time, these small habits can reveal whether your pup is left-pawed or right-pawed. It’s one of those subtle behaviours that gives you a little peek into how their brain is wired.

A dog’s heart rate varies depending on several factors, including age, activity, temperature, and feelings like stress or anxiety. Generally, younger dogs and puppies have faster heartbeats compared to older dogs, whose heart rates tend to be slower. Physical activity, warm weather, excitement, nervousness, or fear can also cause a dog’s heart rate to rise. Typically, a dog’s heartbeat ranges from 100 to 140 beats per minute, which is quicker than a human’s heart rate of about 60 to 100 beats per minute. This faster pace is because of their higher metabolism and smaller body size, especially noticeable in smaller breeds.

A dog’s tail does more than just help with balance; it’s also an important tool for communication. When a dog moves its tail, it can express many different feelings. These include excitement, worry, curiosity, or even aggression. For example, if you see a dog’s tail wagging and it’s held high, this often means the dog is happy or alert. On the other hand, if the dog’s tail is low or tucked between its legs, it typically shows the dog is scared or submissive. By watching a dog’s tail and other body signals, we can better understand what the dog is feeling in various situations. This ability to read a dog’s emotions through its body language helps us interact more effectively and kindly with our canine friends.