Dog Facts Part 3

While most dogs can learn commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “come,” some breeds. Especially the super-smart ones, like Border Collies, are capable of so much more. In fact, studies suggest that the average dog can understand around 165 words. But when it comes to the brainy breeds, they can understand more than 500 words.

One amazing case study is Chaser. A Border Collie from South Carolina, which made headlines around the world for being incredibly smart. She was trained by her owner, Dr. John Pilley, a retired psychology professor. Who managed to teach Chaser the names of a whopping 1,022 different toys. And she could remember each one by name. But it wasn’t just about memorising labels. Chaser could: Pick out specific toys by name from a massive pile, understand categories (like grouping all “balls” or “frisbees” together), follow simple commands like “take ball” or “fetch frisbee” and tell the difference between actions like “fetch,” “paw,” and “nose” and apply them to the right toy.

Her abilities amazed scientists as Chaser didn’t just memorise words, she actually understood them in a way that’s strikingly similar to how young children learn language. Her work helped change the way researchers think about the intelligence and emotional awareness of dogs.

Though it sounds crazy, a Greyhound might actually outrun a cheetah in a long-distance race. However, the cheetah is the fastest land animal. It can only keep that pace for roughly 20 to 30 seconds, even though it can hit speeds of 60–70 mph. This is so because cheetahs depend on brief, explosive bursts of speed to catch prey and subsequently quickly overheat from their great energy output. Greyhounds, on the other hand, are designed for endurance and constant speed. They don’t tire out as quickly when running at 35 to 40 mph for several minutes at a time. They are the marathon runners of the canine world because of their slender bodies, long legs, and deep chests. This provides them with extraordinary lung capacity and efficiency.

Therefore, a short-distance race between a cheetah and a greyhound would be easily won by the cheetah. However, if the race were longer, say a few hundred meters to a mile, the greyhound would pass the cheetah once it slowed down and would continue to run quickly until the end.

Some dog breeds inherited webbed feet, just like frogs and ducks. Webbed feet are thin strips of skin between the toes that give them more stability and grip. Mainly used when swimming and walking on muddy, marshy, or snowy surfaces. The original purpose helps them excel in water-related activities. While all dogs have a small amount of webbing (just like humans), some breeds have much more pronounced webbing that plays a big role in what they were originally bred for.

Why Do They Have Webbed Feet?
These breeds were historically used for water-related jobs:
Labradors were bred to retrieve fishing nets and waterfowl.
Newfoundlands assisted in water rescues and hauling lines from boats to shore.
Portuguese Water Dogs helped fishermen herd fish into nets and deliver messages between boats.
The webbing increases surface area, allowing them to push more water with each stroke, just like a paddle. This means they can swim faster and with less effort than dogs without webbing.

Have you ever yawned and noticed your dog yawn right after you? It’s not a coincidence that it’s called contagious yawning. And it’s an occurrence that happens not just among humans, but between humans and their dogs, too.

Many studies have shown that dogs are more likely to yawn in response to a human yawn. Especially if it’s someone they are bonded with, like their owner. It is believed that emotional connection and empathy are related to this behaviour. Contagious yawning is frequently seen in close friends and family members in humans, and it appears that this is the same for dogs. Also, scientists believe that dogs’ ability to mimic our yawns is an indication of their high level of emotional intelligence and social awareness. It implies that, even unconsciously, they are able to identify and react to our emotional states. Dogs, however, are much more likely to “catch” a yawn from someone they know and trust than to yawn back at random people, supporting the idea that empathy, not reflex, is the driving force behind this behaviour.

Did you know … Dalmatians are born pure white, without a single spot!
The iconic spots that make Dalmatians so unique begin to develop around 10 to 14 days after birth and continue to appear as the puppies grow. By the time they’re about 4 weeks old, their spots become much more visible, though they may continue to fill in and darken over the first few months of life. The pattern and placement of the spots are completely unique to each dog, much like human fingerprints. No two Dalmatians have the same pattern! Their spots are the result of a genetic trait called “piebald spotting,” and their skin underneath is often pigmented in the same areas as the fur. Interestingly, some Dalmatians may develop more spots as they age, and some even get “ticking” — small flecks or additional marks that appear over time.

The nictitating membrane is a third eyelid and is present in dogs and many other animals. Unlike the upper and lower eyelids, which move vertically, this thin, opaque or translucent membrane travels diagonally across the eye from the inner corner, close to the nose.

Its main purposes:

Protection: The eye’s third eyelid serves as an additional line of defence. It is particularly helpful for dogs that are very active or stick their heads out of car windows, as it helps protect the cornea from dust, debris, and possible harm.

Moisture & Lubrication: A large amount of a dog’s tear film is produced by a unique gland called the gland of the third eyelid, which is located in the nictitating membrane. This keeps the eye moist and free of irritants by lubricating and cleaning it.

Immune Defence: By generating immune cells in the tear film, this membrane, which is an essential part of your dog’s immune system, aids in the fight against eye infections.

When You Can See It:
You might notice the third eyelid partially covering your dog’s eye when:

• They’re very tired or just waking up.
• They’re sedated or sick.
• There’s eye irritation or injury.
• They’re dehydrated or unwell (in which case it may stay visible and should be checked by a vet). When to Be Concerned: If the third eyelid is constantly visible, it could indicate:

• An eye infection or injury.
• Dehydration.
• A condition called “cherry eye”, where the gland in the third eyelid becomes swollen and pops out, creating a red lump. In any of these cases, a visit to the vet is recommended

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