Humans have had dogs as pets for about 33,000 years. Yet, our best friends’ often remain a mystery to us. Scientists are constantly looking for and discovering explanations for behaviors that we often find very cute and at the same time incomprehensible. 25 things you probably didn’t know about your best friend.
Paul McCartney makes a very shrill whistle at the end of the song A day in the Life, a whistle that can only be heard by dogs. He did this for his puppy Martha.
33% of dog owners talk to their dog on the phone or even leave them messages on the answering machine.
Of the 12 dogs on board, only three survived the Titanic disaster. They were all small dogs: one Pekingese and two Pomeranians.
Greyhounds can run up to 75 km/h. This makes them the fastest dogs in the world.
Have you ever wondered why dogs pant a lot in heat? They only have sweat glands in the soles of their feet and panting is also the only way to get rid of their heat.
Dogs living in cities live an average of three years longer than dogs in rural areas.
Looking for original names for your two dogs? United States President Lyndon Johnson named his two beagles Him & Her.
Barking dogs seldom bite. But police officers in Palding, Ohio, do. They may bite barking dogs to silence them.
Be careful of smiling at your dog. By showing your teeth, the dog may perceive this as a sign of aggression.
Dogs have twice as much muscle in their ears than humans.
Keep pear and apple seeds away from your dog. These contain arsenic and that can be deadly.
You should not be surprised if you see dogs in the metro in Moscow. Several stray dogs in the city have taught themselves how to travel by metro to look for food.
A female dog and her daughters can give birth to 4,372 puppies in seven years.
A dog will learn spoken commands faster if you combine them with hand gestures.
Dogs smell 1,000x better than humans. Where we have 5 million scent cells, a dog has more than 220 million. Also, the part of the brain that recognizes smell in dogs is four times larger than in humans.
Do you want a successful date? If you take a golden retriever with you, you have the best chances. It is better to leave a pit bull at home.
Service dogs know when it’s work time. As soon as their harness is put on, they are fully in the service of their owner. When it goes off, they will immediately start playing.
80% of dog owners give their dog a present on holidays and birthdays.
Dogs are able to understand up to 250 words and gestures. They can also count to five. The average intelligence of a dog is thus estimated to be the intelligence of a two-year-old child.
A dog with a frequent flyer pass? Yes! Dog Nesbit has accumulated a million Delta Airline Miles in his lifetime.
The most intelligent dogs are the Border Collie and the Poodle. The Afghan Hound and Basenji have the least intelligence.
Taking care of a dog has been scientifically proven to lower your blood pressure.
Dogs can predict seizures up to 45 minutes before they happen. No one knows exactly how this is possible, but it is suspected that a change in smell or behavior is taking place in the patient.
The Labrador is the most popular breed in America, Canada and England.
45% of dogs sometimes sleep in their owner’s bed.
About 1 million American dog owners have their pets listed as the first beneficiary in their wills.
Rockstar Ozzy Osborne does love his wife very much. He once saved her Pomeranian from the clutches of a coyote.
Worldwide, the most popular male names are Max and Jake. For bitches, that’s Maggie and Molly.
A dog’s nose print is as unique as our fingerprint. These can also be used to identify a dog.
The Australian Shepherd (Australian Shepherd) is not from Australia at all. Originally it comes from the Basque Country.
A pink tongue in dogs is a sign of good health and good blood flow. The only exceptions are the Chowchow and Sharpei. Their black tongue is therefore not a sign of ill health.
An estimated 400 million dogs live worldwide.
The Australian cattle dog Bluey lived to be 29 years and 5 months. With this he set the record for oldest dog in the world.
The Noisiest Dogs? Beagles and Collies. The Akbash and the Basenji are the quietest dogs.
Spiked collars were invented in Greece. They had to protect dogs from wolves, which often targeted their throats and necks.
The biggest health problem among dogs is obesity.
Dogs have no sense of time.
In ancient Egypt, they “cured” rabies after being bitten by a human by eating the rabies-infected dog’s liver. The teeth of the dog were also tied to the arm of the sick person.
70% of owners also sign cards and letters with their dog’s name.
One of the strangest habits is spinning endless circles before a dog finally settles in his bed or on his pillow. Before dogs got a comfortable place to sleep with humans, they had to make their own beds, which they did by spinning around, pounding the grass and kicking away insects, sticks and other things that can prevent a good night’s sleep. They also demarcated their own area in this way.
