By Nicole Abrego
Dogs are fascinating creatures and will continue to surprise us for generations to come. Here are 23 MORE Amazing Facts About Dogs that you might not have known.
1. There is a National Dog Day, celebrated on August 26th.
2. Dogs don’t sweat, instead they pant to cool themselves.
3. The Australian Shepard is actually not from Australia - they are an American breed.
4. Newfoundlands make great lifeguards because they have water-resistant coats and webbed feet.
5. Petting a dog can actually benefit your physical and mental health. Studies have shown that petting a dog for 15 minutes can lower blood pressure by 10%, can help lower feelings of stress, depression, and combat loneliness.
6. Dalmatian puppies are born completely white, they develop their spots as they get older.
7. When dogs kick their hind legs into the dirt after they finish their business, they are actually not trying to cover their mess up. They are marking their territory.
8. Bluey, an Australian cattle dog, is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest dog to ever live. Bluey lived to be 29 years 5 months old and lived from 1910 to 1939.
9. Dogs are not colorblind, they can make out yellow and blue hues.
10. Puppies have 28 teeth and adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth. Don’t forget to brush those pearly whites!
11. Three dogs survived the historical sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Two Pomeranians and 1 Pekingese - all from First Class cabins.
12. The town of Idyllwild, California elected their first mayor in 2012, Mayor Max. But Max isn’t just any regular mayor, he’s a Golden Retriever! Although Mayor Max passed away in 2013, the town elected Mayor Max II into office and he’s been governing Idyllwild ever since. Way to go, Mayor Max!
13. Dog eyes have “built-in” night vision. A part of the eye called the tapetum lucidum allows dogs to see in the dark.
14. A vast majority of strays that end up in shelters are pets who are lost simply because they don't have any identification. Additionally, Fourth of July is the busiest time for animal shelters as most pets get lost during that holiday due to being scared of loud fireworks and running away.
15. All puppies are born deaf. As they get older, they can hear 4 times better than humans can.
16. Dogs do dream while they sleep. Dogs will often twitch their legs and eyes and occasionally bark while entering REM sleep. These are all signs that your dog may be dreaming.
17. Pugs originated in ancient China and were adored by Chinese emperors. They were kept as royal lap dogs.
18. Queen Elizabeth II of England has owned over 30 Corgis in her lifetime, many of them descended from her first Corgi, Susan, given to her in 1944 as a birthday gift.
19. Chocolate can be very deadly to dogs due to containing the ingredient, theobromine. Dogs cannot metabolize theobromine and ingesting chocolate could cause a severely toxic buildup in their system which could become fatal.
20. Ever wondered why dogs sniff each other’s rear areas? This is the dog’s way of getting to know the other dog by smelling the dog’s unique scent.
21. Maltese dogs do not shed, making them perfect pups for people with allergies.
22. 45% of dogs sleep in their owner’s beds. Hopefully those pups share the blanket...
23. A dog’s nose print is unique, much like a human's fingerprints.
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The Drake Center for Veterinary Care is an AAHA-accredited animal hospital located in Encinitas, CA. The Drake Center loves being a source of information for all pet owners across the country however if you have any questions regarding pet care and do not live in Encinitas, CA or surrounding cities, we encourage you to contact your local veterinarian.