Dogs serve as loyal family members, excellent friends, and, in some cases, dedicated workers aiding owners in navigating the world, conducting search and rescue operations, or alleviating symptoms of anxiety! Today, our vets at Poway share some intriguing dog facts you might not be aware of.
Anatomy of The Dog
Dogs actually fall into the category of omnivores, not carnivores. This implies that our furry friends require a well-rounded diet comprising vegetables, various proteins, and meat.
A dog's average body temperature should be around 101.2.
Contrary to popular belief, dogs can perceive color, albeit not as vividly as humans. While we can't subject our canine companions to a color chart test, behavioral tests indicate that dogs see in shades of yellow and blue but lack the ability to discern colors ranging from green to red. Therefore, your dog perceives the world in yellow, blue, and gray hues.
Obesity stands as the primary health concern for dogs and can lead to various serious conditions. Hence, ensure your dog receives a nutritious diet, but also keep an eye on their calorie intake.
A dog's sense of smell is estimated to be anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than that of humans. This exceptional olfactory ability makes them outstanding working dogs, frequently employed in places like airports to detect illegal items such as drugs or bombs, and in search and rescue missions to locate lost individuals.
Like fingerprints, each dog possesses a unique nose print, making it distinct.
Dogs excel at guarding because they can hear sounds at high frequencies imperceptible to human ears. This means your dog can alert you to sounds that you might miss.
While the human body sweats for cooling, dogs only have sweat glands between their toes. Dogs primarily rely on panting to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, keeping your dog hydrated and cool during the hot summer days is crucial. Ensure they have ample shade water, and keep them indoors on extremely hot days.
Canine Communication
Despite their inability to speak, dogs communicate with humans through various techniques. If a dog positions its body in a specific way, makes interesting facial expressions, bares its teeth, barks, or marks its scent, you can be sure it is trying to convey a message to you or other animals!
When dogs are happy, they wag their tails to the right, but if they are frightened, they wag their tails to the left.
A Dog By Any Other Name
Dog - the English word for our canine friends - originated from the Middle English dogge, which stemmed from Old English docga, meaning 'a powerful dog breed'.
Domesticated Dog Origin
People have gradually transformed dogs into the friendly companions we know and love today over thousands of years. For approximately 12,000 years, people have kept loving canines as pets, living side-by-side with them.
Breeds of Dogs
The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognizes 192 different dog breeds. Whether you're considering a miniature dachshund or a large, energetic Samoyed, you're bound to discover a breed that possesses all the characteristics you prefer.
The Popularity Contest
The faithful Labrador Retriever is America's most popular breed and has kept the coveted spot at the top of the list since the 1990s. Their smart, playful nature makes them great pets. These intelligent dogs can also serve as working, therapy or guide dogs. The German Shepherd and Golden Retriever round out the country's 3 most popular dog breeds.
Canine Companions & Hard-Working Friends
Although it's true to say that we can get many years of joy out of keeping dogs as pets, several breeds are also known for being excellent workers, trained to track missing persons, join police and military ranks, provide protection, help people with disabilities, hunt, pull loads, herd, and so much more.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.