Few animals inspire as much devotion as a dog. Dogs have been companions to humans for millennia, helping us hunt, herd, and protect our homes. There are over a hundred different breeds of dogs that we mix, celebrate, and expand on. With devotees of different breeds, there’s no doubt that dogs are one of the most popular pets. Let’s explore the world of canines with eight cool facts that will help us learn more about our four-legged friends.
8 Canine Facts
1. Dogs were domesticated thousands of years ago. (Source)
Dogs are descended from wolves, but during domestication, they learned to understand and respond to human cues and even surpassed a chimpanzee’s ability to communicate with us. They are uniquely attuned to human emotions and behavior, which is exactly what makes them excellent companions.
2. The Labrador Retriever has been on the AKC’s most popular dog breeds list longer than any other breed. (Source)
For many families, a Lab is the perfect choice of dog breed. They are a medium-sized dog, large enough to protect the home, but they have a sweet temperament that’s loving and patient with young children, making them eager to please and easy to train.
3. Portland, Oregon, is the most dog-friendly city in the U.S. (Source)
Dog owners might want to plan a vacation in the Pacific Northwest because Portland loves dogs. The city abounds with dog parks and walking trails, and there are plenty of affordable pet-friendly hotels, as well as a multitude of shops and restaurants that welcome dogs.
4. Dog noses are 40 times more sensitive than human noses. (Source)
Dogs rely on their keen sense of smell to follow a trail days after it was left. Dogs are so great at smelling that bloodhounds, a breed with an extra-powerful sniffer, are used to gather evidence used in criminal courts. They are also used to track missing people and fugitives.
5. Dogs have three eyelids. (Source)
The third lid is used to clear mucus and debris from a dog’s cornea. This also fights infection and produces antibodies that protect the cornea.
6. The United States has the largest dog population in the world. (Source)
Americans are clearly dog lovers. They collectively own 75.8 million pet dogs. That’s a lot of pups!
7. Dogs have developed a muscle specifically to express love. (Source)
Dogs have an eyebrow muscle that’s much stronger and better developed than that of other mammals. They use this muscle to lift their brows, a gesture humans find adorable and recognize as a sign of love and attention.
8. Dogs can communicate with their tails. (Source)
Dogs position and move their tails to communicate their feelings. An upright tail means a dog is alert and excited. Broad stroke wagging means a dog is happy. Wagging their tail to the right means a dog is feeling happy to see a person or animal, but a wag to the left means they’re feeling irritated or unsure.
Featured image photo credit: Pixabay
