59 Dog Curiosities You Won't Want to Miss – Part 1 of 2
59 Dog Curiosities You Won't Want to Miss – Part 1 of 2
Written by Silvia Capelli
September 8, 2023
How many times have we said: my dog is extraordinary! And it truly is! A dog is anything but an ordinary animal. The way it interacts with humans, learning even to smile and to use eye contact, the fact that it can learn a great number of words, its ability to function like a Swiss watch...
Anyone who has had dogs knows what we're talking about: not a day goes by without our faithful friend surprising us with something new. The bond between man and dog is so strong that it has turned this loyal animal into a child for nearly all of us.
But do we really know everything about their talents and abilities? And what strange stories might they tell us? In this article, we've collected no fewer than 59 curiosities about dogs that we want to share with you.
Smother me with cuddles… or not?
Hugs and cuddles as we understand them can be misinterpreted by dogs: if our pet knows us well and understands our intentions, other dogs might misunderstand and feel threatened when we or the children run up to hug them.
Some breeds, for example, Griffons, do not like to be touched excessively, so they might not even appreciate the attentions of their owners. Always remember that our emotions don't always match theirs and avoid gestures that might intimidate them.
Dogs sweat from their paw pads
Unlike humans, dogs sweat from their feet. They actually regulate their temperature by panting, but they do not have sweat glands on their body or under their armpits.
Therefore, it is very important that this delicate part of the body is protected: do not take them for walks during the hottest hours when they could burn their feet on the scorching asphalt.
The sixth sense really does exist
Dogs are proof of this: they predict hurricanes, sense diseases like cancer in humans, function better than a stopwatch, and can read people's moods. They have an internal navigator and even a compass.
Not just flies like them!
Indeed, many dogs also don't mind a quick snack on feces, whether their own, other dogs', or other animals'. Actually, they have their reasons: originally, a dog did it to cover its natural scent from potential enemies, while today this unpleasant habit probably indicates a nutritional deficiency, for example, a lack of vitamin B or enzymes.
Obviously, it is necessary to stop them because if a dog eats the feces of other animals it can be not only disgusting for us humans but also dangerous: indeed, it can transmit very serious infectious diseases.
My dog is like a child
Never has a statement been more accurate: according to a study, neurologically speaking, a dog's learning capability is equivalent to that of a two-year-old child.
The Border Collie is the most intelligent breed, followed by the Poodle, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Doberman, Shetland Sheepdog, Labrador.
It seems that small breeds are not ranked very high, but fortunately, the Poodle is now being crossed with everything, so there's still hope!
Jealous rascals
Yes, it's all true, dogs experience jealousy. It's a primal emotion, not the sometimes violent jealousy of humans, but when it looks at you sideways because you're petting another dog, you know it's thinking about making you pay for the betrayal.
A dog's emotions, not just the well-known intelligence, approximately correspond to those of a two-year-old child.
Size matters... on the Titanic!
Among the survivors of the Titanic tragedy were also three dogs, 2 Pomeranians and a Pekingese. They were so small that they could be put on the lifeboats and taken ashore without taking up a passenger's space.
Presidential dogs
More than half of the Presidents of the United States have had dogs. A great honor for this species of mammals!
Obama had Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, the Clintons had Buddy, a brown Labrador, Roosevelt had Fala, a very charming Scottish Terrier, but the list is really long!
They're like cats and dogs!
It's mistakenly believed that dogs and cats naturally don't get along, but no statement could be further from the truth: dogs chase cats because they see them as any prey, not because they are cats.
If raised together, dogs and cats can become great friends and keep each other company when left alone at home.
The oldest breed
The oldest breed in the world seems to be the Saluki, but there is no proof, also because apart from the primitive breeds, dogs have changed so much over time that they are no longer recognizable today.
The nose is unique
We have fingerprints and pupils that make us unique, dogs have their nose: no two are the same.
Not all spots are equal
Understanding why dogs take so long to find the right spot to do their business has always been a curiosity of mine: some even spin around in the same spot for a few minutes.
The reason is not certain, but it is believed to depend on the Earth's magnetic field: dogs like to go to the bathroom facing north or south. So, if you were lost in the woods with Fido and the moss on the trees wasn't enough, you know who to ask for help.
Dogs dream just like us
How many times have we seen Fido running in his sleep, heard him bark or whine, and behave strangely?
Yes, dogs dream, and like us, they probably dream about the small activities of their dog life: running, playing, eating, ball, I love you. Small dogs dream more than larger breeds.
For a long time, we believed that dogs saw only in black and white, but in reality, they see colors. Their spectrum is limited, shades of red and green appear more like gray and brown, but blue and yellow are clearly visible.
So, be careful to choose outdoor toys and balls in a color that is also clearly visible to the dog when you throw them on a lawn.
Under this sun...
Dogs should not stay. A dog's temperature is higher than that of humans, making them more prone to overheating. Moreover, being low to the ground and walking with their entire body close to the surface certainly does not improve the situation.
Also, be cautious of their paw pads, which can easily burn when in contact with scorching asphalt.
To learn more about heatstroke in dogs, read here!
Scent of Popcorn or Stinky Feet?
Here's one of the more quirky facts about dogs: their feet often smell faintly of corn chips or Popcorn.
Actually, the smell is caused by bacteria that nestle between the paws, but it's still a fun fact. In the United States, they call them "Frito Feet," after the famous brand of Tortilla Chips.
Always Fresh Breath
Dogs are not naturally prone to bad breath. If they do have it, they likely suffer from oral cavity problems or stomatitis and should be taken to the vet.
29 Years of Love
The oldest dog in the world lived up to 29 years. It was an Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey, and he lived from 1910 to 1939.
Better to Sleep Soundly!
Dogs sleep in the classic pose, curling up on themselves to protect their vital organs from potential attacks.
And they sleep close to or leaning against their owner for the same reason, not out of affection!
The Biannual Romance
Female dogs only mate twice a year, but when they fall in love, it's almost impossible to hold them back. Males, on the other hand, are true Casanovas.
If you're the proud father or the proud mother of a beautiful puppy, pay attention to those days, or consider spaying.
Why Kick After Doing Their Business?
When dogs kick back after doing their business, they're not doing it to cover it up, but to spread their natural scent through the glands in their paw pads.
Why Are You Staring at Me?
Quite simply: the dog has learned that eye contact is the best way for you to take notice of them. If they're staring at you, they're trying to get something. Or perhaps they're just looking at you because they adore you!
Cruella Wants Them Fully Grown
Dalmatians are born completely white. The black (or brown) spots appear as they age.
Yawning Indicates Stress
If the dog doesn't have major problems and we're talking about prevention, any over-the-counter cleaner will do. There are many available and they can be purchased anywhere.
However, if you find yourself dealing with mites, parasites, allergic infections, or other types, it will be the veterinarian who advises you on the best pharmaceutical product for each situation.
A Sandwich Named After Them!
The name of the famous Hot Dog sandwich originated in New York, where street vendors would shout "Red-hot Dachshund sausages!" to passersby to attract attention.
A famous cartoonist accidentally coined the term "hot dog" when he drew a poster featuring a Dachshund inside a bun. Unfortunately, he didn't know how to spell "Dachshund" in English, so he simply wrote "Hot Dog."
An Unmatched Sense of Smell
We all know dogs have an incredible sense of smell, but just how much better is it than a human's?
While the human nose has about 5 million olfactory receptors, a dog's nose can have between 150 million to 300 million, depending on the breed. Think about that next time you open a box of hot, fragrant pizza in front of Fido!
Extraordinary Hearing
Dogs also have excellent hearing! They hear very well, and do you know why they move their heads in that characteristic way? They do it to pinpoint the origin of a sound.
Taste, However...
Here, us humans are much better off: a dog's taste receptors amount to only a sixth of ours. However, this has its advantages for them; it allows them to be far less picky and eat food that isn't very fresh, grass, and other things we'd rather not mention!
As for Vision...
Dogs are born deaf and blind. A puppy begins to see and hear after two weeks. Nonetheless, vision is not their most crucial sense.
And if you want to continue with the missing curiosities...
