Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the world and have been living with humans for thousands of years. However, how much do we really know about the canines we share our home with? Well, here are fifteen fun facts about our four-legged friends.
1. One of the reasons dogs are easily startled by thunderstorms or the sound of fireworks is that they have incredibly powerful hearing. In fact, a dog can register sounds at 35,000 vibrations per second. Humans, on the other hand, can only register 20,000 vibrations per second.
2. Many dogs are known for their speed. However, none can rival the Greyhound, which can reach speeds of up to 45 mph. Subsequently, greyhound racing remains a popular and exciting sport.
3. Throughout the centuries, dogs have been used in wars. During World War II, Russian troops tied mines to the backs of dogs and sent them on “suicide missions” to destroy German tanks.
4. Similarly, during the Middle Ages, mastiffs were used in battle. The armies dressed the dogs in light armor and tied pots of burning sulfur to them. Then the dogs were sent to battle against the horsemen.
5. It is widely documented that dogs were sent into space during the early years of space exploration. The first dog, named Laika, was sent into orbit by the Russian space program in 1957.
6. The heaviest and longest dog ever recorded was an English Mastiff named Zorba. Zorba weighed a staggering 343 pounds and was 8 feet 3 “from nose to tail.
7. The tallest dog breeds are the Irish Wolfhound and the Great Dane. In contrast, the smallest breeds are Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, and Yorkshire Terrier.
8. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs. An ingredient in cocoa, theobromine (which is similar to caffeine) can make dogs seriously ill and even fatal.
9. All breeds of dogs have incredible noses. Some, however, have more incredible meaning than others. The German Shepherd, for example, has 220,000,000 olfactory sensory cells. When compared to the 5,000,000 sensory cells of a human being, it is clear why we are not used to sniffing drugs at the airport!
10. The half-life of a dog is sadly no more than a decade. However, the oldest recorded dog lived to the ripe old age of 29 years and 5 months.
11. The belief that dogs are color blind is actually a myth. In fact, they can see colors just as vividly as we can. However, his vision is believed to be similar to the vision of a human being at dusk.
12. A dog only has sweat glands between its pads. Most of their regulation is done with the tongue and, therefore, it is easy for them to overheat.
13. The United States has the highest dog population on the planet and France ranks second highest.
14. The Newfoundland is a wonderful swimmer thanks, in part, to its webbed feet. Basset Hounds, on the other hand, cannot swim.
15. A dog’s noseprint is as individual as a human fingerprint and can therefore be used to identify them just as effectively.
Of course, there are many more fascinating facts about dogs. If you are thinking of welcoming a new dog into your home, it is a good idea to do a little research on the specific breed. Always keep in mind that a dog is a lifelong commitment and will require patience, time, and the financial means to properly care for it.
