Fun and Fascinating Dog Facts
Anatomy
A dog’s average body temperature should be right around 101.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Contrary to what many people believe, dogs can see color, but not as vividly as us humans.
The number one health problem dogs deal with is obesity.
As omnivores, our four-legged friends need a well-rounded diet. They should eat more than just meat - they also need vegetables and proteins.
Dogs have an amazing sense of hearing - they are excellent guard dogs because they can hear sounds at high frequencies that their human friends can’t.
Because the only sweat glands a dog has are between his toes, it’s important to make sure your dog stays cool and hydrated in those dog days of summer. Give them plenty of shade and water, and keep them inside on very hot days.
Dogs’ sense of smell is around anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times better than peoples’. Their mind-blowing sense of smell means they can be trained as working dogs.
They are often used in airports and other environments to sniff out bombs, drugs and other illegal items. Their nose prints are also similar to our fingerprints, in that they are one-of-a-kind.
Communication
Our pups can’t talk, but they use different techniques to communicate with us. If your dog positions her body in a specific way, marks her scent, bares her teeth, barks or makes interesting facial expressions, you can bet she’s trying to tell (or other animals that may be around) something!
Domesticated Dog Origin
During the last several thousand years, we’ve gradually transformed dogs into the domesticated friends we know and love today. Dogs have been kept as pets for about 12,000 years.
Language
“Dog” is the English word for our canine friends. The word originated from the Middle English “dogge”, which stemmed from docga in Old English, meaning “a powerful dog breed”.
Dogs as Pets
While many people get a decade or more of joy out of keeping dogs as pets, many breeds are also known for and trained to be exceptional workers. They are trained to join military and law enforcement ranks, provide protection, track missing persons, pull loads, herd, hunt, help people with disabilities, and more.
Are you looking to add a canine companion to your family? Our veterinarians can help you learn about different breeds and mix breeds, common medical conditions with certain breeds, and how to set up a positive introduction to your home. Our veterinarians can also work alongside our recommended trainers to help you choose a wonderful new companion. Contact Us today.
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