We all know that dogs are such adorable and loving creatures! What people probably don’t know about are these ten fun canine facts! Best believe the following information will surprise you and help you understand your pup better!
Here are 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Have Known About Dogs
1. Dogs are as smart as a two-year-old
Did you know that your furry friend has the mental skills of a 2-year-old child? This finding comes from a language development test, showing average dogs can pick up 165-200 words, including gestures and signals, which is similar to the abilities of a 2-year-old child!
2. The US has the world’s biggest pet dog population
The United States holds the biggest pet dog population in the world, with estimated 70,000,000 pet dogs in the country’s households.
3. Their senses are thousands of times better than humans
These four-legged companions can smell better than humans. In fact, the “smell” center of their brains is 40 times larger than a human’s. For instance, if a human nose has 5 million scent receptors, a German Shepherd’s nose has more than 100 million, making them helpful in sniffing out hints in a crime scene, explosives, drugs, dead bodies, and more.
This is also the reason why German Shepherds are one of the most common breeds for police dogs and are also commonly trained to become protection dogs for sale.
On the other hand, they have exceptional hearing too. They can pick up sound waves humans can’t hear. The most common reason why they tilt their heads is that they’re trying to search for the source of the sound.
4. Dogs’ sense of taste is not well-developed
Consequently, dogs have only a sixth of the total number of a human’s taste buds (only around 1,700 taste buds compared to a human’s 9,000). This is why it doesn’t bother them to scarf rotten and scrap human food as enthusiastically as they’ll eat a healthy bowl of kibble and yummy dog treats!
5. Obesity is their number one health concern
Humans and dogs are fighting the same enemy: obesity. These furry animals are prone to obesity because of too little exercise, too many calories, and food scraps of humans. To avoid obesity and stay healthy, give your dog quality food and treats, exercise with them, and be careful not to overfeed.
6. Dogs have unique nose prints
A dog’s nose can be likened to a human fingerprint—no two dogs have identical nose prints! In fact, The Canadian Kennel Club has been acknowledging dog nose prints as proof of identity as early as 1938.
7. Your dog can smell how you feel
Ever wondered why your furry friend suddenly comes to your side when you’re feeling anxious? It’s because they can smell it! Your pooch can pick up even the faintest change in your scent, which can help him realize your feelings. For instance, he can smell your perspiration when you’re fearful or anxious.
8. Tail-wagging has its own language
When your dog wags his tail, it means he’s giddy, right? Not necessarily! When a dog wags his tail to the right, it means he’s happy, whereas if it wags to the left, it means he’s anxious. When the tail is wagging lower than usual, it means he’s insecure. And excessive tail wagging with matching tense muscles and dilated pupils may mean aggression
9. Dogs paws may smell like corn
Some pet owners may notice the subtle scent of corn or popcorn on their dogs’ paws. This is referred to as “Frito feet,” which happens due to sweat and bacteria build-up!
10. Yawning doesn’t necessarily mean sleepy
A dog’s yawn doesn’t always signal sleepiness. Sometimes, our furry friends yawn to calm themselves down when they’re feeling stressed out.
Well, there you have it, 10 facts you might not have known about dogs. If I’ve left out something interesting, leave a comment below and enlighten me.
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