59 Curiosities About Dogs You Won't Want to Miss - Part 2 of 2
59 Curiosities About Dogs You Won't Want to Miss - Part 2 of 2
Written by Silvia Capelli
September 8, 2023
A single article would have been too brief to satisfy our curiosity about dogs, so we wrote a second part where we have grouped the rest of the 59 curiosities about dogs that you won't want to miss.
Here too, we have put together a list of fun and educational facts about our beloved pet that we hope you will really enjoy.
Happy reading!
To read the first part, click here!
The tail speaks for itself
The act of wagging does not only express happiness, the position of the tail gives a very clear signal: if moved to the right it indicates happiness, to the left fear, downwards uncertainty, if it moves quickly and the dog seems tense it expresses aggression.
So, pay attention to reading the signals that Fido sends us to help us understand him better.
The 7-Year Rule
The formula to calculate a dog's age is not 1 dog year equals 7 human years. To clarify, a one-year-old dog can already have puppies, which is unlikely for a 7-year-old human. And they can have pregnancies even at 12 years old, something that doesn't happen to 84-year-old women.
The life stages of a dog vary from breed to breed, and so there are no precise rules, but in no case is the 7-year rule an accurate method of calculation.
We really are many!
There are about 900 million dogs in the world, and the country with the most dogs per capita is France, with 17 dogs for every 100 people. In the United States, there are 75 million.
A kind soul
Dogs are among the few animals that can show kindness and empathy towards other animals and animals of different breeds.
The Postman Always Rings Twice
And the dog hates it every time. Have you ever been curious to know why? Actually, it's nothing personal: the dog perceives the postman as a threat simply because they invade the property and leave packages that could contain something threatening.
Furthermore, the postman often wears a hat, and many dogs seem wary of people wearing hats or hoods. Try to show yourself friendly towards the infamous enemy so that the dog feels reassured by your presence.
Give me three words...
While it's true that an average dog learns up to 200 words, it's also true that dogs are particularly sensitive to tone of voice.
That's why if you yell at them or scold them, they assume a submissive attitude, just as they seem to particularly appreciate people with a high-pitched and sing-song tone of voice.
Letting them sniff your hand is not the right tactic
It’s a common belief that to get acquainted with a dog, one should extend their hand for the dog to sniff.
If this tactic has often worked, know that it is not the right one: a wary dog could get scared seeing you raise your arm towards its muzzle and consequently become aggressive.
Let it be the dog that comes to you to sniff your hand, and if you need to approach its muzzle, do it from the side and not from the front.
An Tireless Lifeguard
No one beats the Newfoundland when it comes to water rescue: they have a waterproof coat that makes them perfect for swimming and impervious to the cold.
The composition of their coat also facilitates grip for the tired swimmer. Not to forget, these dogs are skilled swimmers with great physical endurance.
Dogs Can Overeat Too
Just like humans, in the dog world, the primary health problem is obesity and all the resulting pathologies.
For years, it was a widespread belief that dogs responded to only one master, the Alpha Male, the one who shows dominance and makes it clear who is in charge.
Fortunately, this is not the case, and it's unnecessary to treat the dog as an inferior creature just because one thinks it's doing them a favor.
They Never Lose the Scent
The scenting ability of a Hound is so powerful that it can follow a trail as old as 300 hours and can continue to follow it for nearly 200 km. It's no wonder they are among the most favored dogs by hunters.
Dogs Descend from Wolves
It seems to be the case, even those that resemble plush teddy bears originate from this noble animal, or more precisely, from the Gray Wolf, if we want to be accurate. The domestic dog indeed shares 99% of its DNA with it.
The first examples of wolves were domesticated about 30,000 years ago, but it's true that in recent times, humans have played a primary role in the transformation of the wild wolf into the domestic dog through continuous breed selection.
However, some biologists contend that dogs derive not only from wolves but also from coyotes and jackals.
Dogs Learn to Use the Subway
A small stray became famous for being able to navigate the Moscow subway on its own, which is one of the most difficult in the world to navigate.
And one in Turkey regularly took the bus to go to the public park and back home. The owner even made a subscription for it, but I guess no one ever checked it considering how cute it was!
Dogs Have Three Eyelids
Among the curiosities about dogs, this is probably the least known: dogs have three eyelids in each eye, the upper one, the lower one, and a lateral membrane that primarily serves to remove impurities from the cornea. Cats also have this feature.
A Dog Among Celebrities
The famous Collie, Lassie, is the first dog to have had an honored place in the Hall Of Fame. But how many other beautiful and talented pets deserve the same honor?
Your Licks Are Not Just Simple Kisses...
When a dog licks us, we think it's giving us the equivalent of a kiss, and in a way, it is, but the reason Fido licks our face is that this is how communication occurs between a puppy and its mother: when the puppy licks the mother, it does so to ask for food, and when the mother licks the puppy, it does so to clean it.
It's their way of establishing an emotional bond, and so the dog repeats this with its owner.
As Punctual as a Swiss Watch
Dogs have an internal timer and always know what time it is, or when a certain repeated event occurs. But we already knew that!
A Sniff to Get to Know Each Other Better
Why do dogs sniff each other's rear end? Simply to get to know each other better. It's in that area where the anal glands are located, which release a scent that identifies the dog.
The sniffer will learn vital information such as gender, diet, and health status. In other words, it's almost like exchanging friend requests on Facebook.
Dogs are a Great Remedy for Anxiety
Cuddling a dog can lower blood pressure by 10%, and it also lowers the dog's blood pressure.
And as if that wasn't enough, the human brain releases a hormone called oxytocin, which is the same one that creates a bond between a mother and a newborn, and which brings pleasure and joy.
The Smallest Dog in the World
The smallest dog in the world was a Chihuahua born in 2011, weighing only 454 grams as an adult.
Its name was Miracle Milly, and sadly, it crossed the rainbow bridge in 2020, after winning millions of hearts.
A Dog Tax
During Thomas Jefferson's time, dogs were taxed. The tax was introduced to discourage dog ownership, given the continuous attacks of these animals on herds of cows and sheep.
A Song Just for Dogs
Another truly extravagant curiosity about dogs: since dogs hear sounds that we cannot, Paul McCartney included at the end of a Beatles song titled “A Day in the Life” a sound sequence that only dogs' ears can perceive.
Anyone want to try? If the dog turns interested, then it's true!
Made in America
The breed called theAustralian Shepherdis not Australian but American. This breed actually originated in the United States around the time of the Gold Rush, around 1840.
There are at least twenty breeds made in America, including the most famous ones like the Boston Terrier, the American Bulldog, and the Rat Terrier.
Beastly Politicians
In 2012, in the town of Idyllwild, California, residents, in the absence of a human mayor, decided to nominate their pets for the vacant position. The ballot included 14 dogs and two cats.
The first mayor, Max, a Golden Retriever, remained in office for over a year, before crossing the rainbow bridge.
He was replaced in 2013 by Max II, who is still in office. His cousins, Mitzi and Mikey, also joined the city council.
Personally, I think it's a great idea, maybe we should do it in Italy too.
Fast and Furious
A cheetah can run at 100 km/h, but only for half a minute. A greyhound reaches only 50 km/h but can maintain this speed for about 10 km. Greyhound vs Cheetah 1-0!
I Sleep with You!
55% of dogs sleep in bed with their owners. So few? I thought they all did!
The Dog That Never Barks
There is only one breed that doesn't bark, the Basenji. It would be perfect for those with unfriendly neighbors, if it weren't for the fact that instead of barking, it yodels a rather high-pitched yodel, so the noise problem isn't solved.
Hello Sir!
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier breed owes its name to the fictional character from Sir Walter Scott's novel "Guy Mannering".
And it wasn't just the name of the dog breed that was changed, but also that of the character who inspired the book, who ended up becoming the real Mr. Dandie Dinmont!
This dog has a truly unique story, to learn more, read here!
The Zoomies
In English, the crazy runs that dogs occasionally do are called "zoomies". But why do they do them? Simply because when they feel joy, they need to release energy, and running helps them do that.
On the Podium for 30 Years
The Golden Retriever has been among the top 10 most popular breeds in the United States for 30 consecutive years and is also the most popular in Italy.
An Unfortunate Symbol
The Dachshund was for many years a symbol of Germany, but unfortunately, it also became a symbol of European satire used to ridicule the German government.
Due to the unfortunate association with Nazi propaganda, the breed lost public favor during World War I, and some Dachshunds were even killed because they symbolized the enemy.
Fortunately, it was later rehabilitated when it became the official mascot of the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics.
