Dogs are human's best friend, and we like to think we know just about everything there is to know about our furry companions. Now ask yourself, how much do we REALLY know? Domesticated dogs have been estimated to be around sometime between 18,800 and 32,000 years ago! There is so much to be learned about our furry friends, and there is no such thing as too much knowledge! With that being said, here are 10 awesome facts about dogs you probably didn't know!
1. The Oldest Traceable Dog Breed is the Basenji
The Basenji is considered the oldest dog in the world according to a scientific study which compares genomic analysis of 161 current dog breeds. It is estimated these origins begin on the African continent, where they were used for hunting and tracking prey. Their image was portrayed on some Egyptian tombs and are believed to be represented in hieroglyphs from the time. They are also the worlds only barkless dog!
2. Stray Dogs in Moscow, Russia Have Learned to Navigate the Subway Trains in Search for Food
Of Moscow's population of roughly 35,000 stray dogs, there is a small faction of ~20 that have learned to get around the city using the transit system! These dogs know what trains to board, and what stops to get off at in search for food. This is an amazing example of dogs adapting to their surroundings to survive, much like they would have done thousands of years ago. Click Here to read the full article about this amazing phenomenon.
3. Dogs Poop in Alignment with Earth's Magnetic Field
We have all seen our pups do a little spin and twirl before choosing where to do their business. They aren't just having fun, or looking for a visually appealing poop zone. No, the theory is that they are aligning themselves to face north or south, and spinning helps align their internal compass. This behavior has been puzzling researchers for years, and this is the best explanation we have!
4. Dog Noses are Wet for a Reason
That's right, dog noses are actually wet to better absorb scent chemicals! The nose secretes a specific mucus that aids in the absorption of scent chemicals. When the dog then licks their nose, the sample on the tongue helps distinguish what the scent is!
5. Dogs Have a Sense of Time
Contrary to popular belief and portrayed on TV, dogs actually have a pretty good sense of time. They know when your gone for 1 hour vs 5 hours, and can use this sense of time to predict upcoming events like regular scheduled walks and dinner time!
6. Dogs are NOT Colorblind
Although dogs do not see as full as a spectrum as humans do, they definitely do not see in black & white like popular media would have you believe. Dogs see the world in a yellow - blue spectrum! Reds, orange and yellow will all appear to be "yellow", while blues, greens and purples will all appear to be "blue"
7. The Greyhound is Really, Really Fast!
While other fast racing dogs can reach speeds of 64 km per hours, the maximum recorded race speed of a greyhound is 72 km per hour! A greyhound can run a 100m dash in an astounding 5.33 seconds, versus the human world record by Usain Bolt at 9.58 seconds, that's almost half the time!
8. Spiked Dog Collars Aren't Just for Fashion
Spiked collars aren't just a fashion statement, they're actually a historic piece of equipment for working dogs. The spiked collar dates all the way back to ancient Greece, when they were first used as neck armor for herding dogs and flock guardians. These brave dogs needed to protect their sheep and cattle from predators like wolves.
9. Dachshunds Were Originally Bred to Fight Badgers
Commonly known as Wiener Dogs, the low, long dachshund was originally bred in Germany to scent, chase and flush out badgers and other burrowing animals! In the wes, they have also been used to track wounded deer and hunt prairie dogs.
10. Puppies are Born Blind and Deaf
All puppies are born blind and deaf, meaning they actually can’t see or hear until they’re almost two weeks old... they don’t even open their eyes before then! Until they are able to see and hear, puppies rely on their sense of smell and heat receptors in their noses to find their mom.
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