Did you know that your dog’s nose print is completely unique, just like a human fingerprint? As it turns out, Man’s Best Friend is full of interesting characteristics! Here, a Marietta, GA vet lists some fun facts about our canine pals.
Breeds
Currently, there are a whopping 150 different types of dog breeds, from the tiny Chihuahua to the massive Burmese Mountain Dog. Our canine buddies are divided into eight different categories: sporting, non-sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, and herding are the main ones. There is also a miscellaneous classification. We think they’re all adorable, but just in case you were wondering, the most popular pooch here in the US is the Labrador.
No Sweat
Did you know that dogs only sweat through their paw pads? Those furry feet help your canine friend regulate his temperature. Speaking of temperature, it’s also worth noting that Man’s Best Friend runs a bit hotter than we do: Fido’s normal temperature is between 101 and 102.5 °F.
Sharp Senses
It’s no secret that dogs have amazingly astute senses, but it may astound you to discover just how sharp Fido’s smell and hearing are. Our furry friends can smell and hear between 10,000 and 100,000 times better than we do. That cute little nose is particularly impressive: doggy noses have as many as 300 million olfactory receptors. (In comparison, we have about six million.) Dogs also use a higher percentage of their brains to process smells than we do: 40 percent more, to be exact.
Smarts
We know, Fido may never entirely figure out the cat, the vacuum cleaner, or the ringtone on your phone. However, Man’s Best Friend is really very smart! In fact, our four-legged pals have an intelligence that’s roughly equivalent to that of a two-year old human child! Our canine companions can learn over 150 words. (We’re guessing that ‘Bacon’ and ‘Walk’ are two of their favorites.) They can also learn to respond to very specific and subtle commands.
Pet Statistics
According to the ASPCA, there are about 70-80 million pet dogs in America. That means as many as 47 percent of US households have at least one pup! Almost half of those pooches, or 45 percent, to be exact, sleep in their owners’ beds.
Is your dog due for an exam? Do you have questions about Fido’s care? Contact us, your Marietta, GA animal hospital, today!
