Dogs and humans share a unique bond. Ask a dog person what their pet means to them, and they will reply like a parent would say about their child. Nothing is untrue about dogs being a significant species, whether you see them as friends or companions. They carry a world within themselves that people are often unaware of. These ten facts about dogs, which we will discuss in this blog, testify to their uniqueness as living species.
Top 10 Interesting Facts About Dogs
Dogs Have Distinguished Nose Prints
One of the most important facts about dogs is their noses. Dogs are one of the humans’ favorite species and replicate one of their qualities. Just like humans have unique fingerprints, dogs have distinctive nose prints that can easily set them apart from their fellow dog peers. They make a great identification mark.
Sweat Glands in Paw Pads
Most animals have a sense of weather and feel seasonal change like humans do. Have you ever wondered whether your dog sweats or not? Then the answer to your question is yes. But unlike humans, their sweat glands are only located in their paws, and they feel the extreme temperatures. However, they have a limited sweating tendency, but to neutralize their body temperature, they rely on panting and external cooling to regulate their body temperature.
Now, you will think, why does a dog pant, and how does it help? When a dog pants, it evaporates moisture from its tongue, nasal passages, and the lining of its lungs, helping to lower its body temperature. Additionally, dogs seek out cool surfaces and shady spots to lie on when they are overheated.
Smell Sensitivity
It is not an unknown fact that dogs have a brilliant sense of smell. To give you an estimated number, it is believed to be between 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than humans. They have about 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses compared to about six million in humans. A dog’s sense of smell is one of its most powerful senses. Due to an extensively broad number of olfactory receptors, dogs detect a wide range of scents. From search operations to security purposes, this incredible sense of smell is utilized in various ways. Surprisingly, dogs are believed even to identify certain medical conditions such as cancer and diabetes in humans. The part of a dog’s brain dedicated to analyzing smells is also proportionally much larger than that of humans. All in all, dogs with this great ability make an asset to humans.
Facial Expressions
Emotionally, dogs are expressive, and that is a well-established fact. But do you know they even use facial expressions to show sadness and happiness? You can differentiate between a smile or a sad expression on their faces. Additionally, if scientific studies are to be believed, dogs tend to raise their eyebrows, particularly the left one, to appear more appealing to humans. This behavior is particularly noticeable when dogs seek attention, food, or affection. Part of this emotional maturity and understanding in dogs is due to their interaction with humans. They have learned to mimic certain human facial expressions to strengthen their bond with their human companions.
Whisker Function
Also known as vibrissae, dog whiskers are susceptible to tactile hairs that can detect slight environmental changes, helping dogs navigate and understand their surroundings. Whiskers are deeply embedded in a dog’s skin and connected to the nervous system, acting as detectors of the surroundings. These whiskers are extremely sensitive to touch, smell, and even shifts in air currents. This sensitivity helps dogs navigate their surroundings, especially in the dark or in tight spaces. Whiskers also provide dogs with information about nearby objects’ size, shape, and speed, which is crucial for their spatial awareness.
Tail Wagging
Did you know that a dog’s tale conveys a tale about their emotions? Yes, here is an interesting fact that tops the list. The direction in which a dog wags its tail can express different emotions. Wagging to the right is often associated with positive feelings, while wagging to the left can indicate negative feelings. When dogs feel sad or neglected by their guardian, they are often found wagging their tail. Besides that, Dogs use their tails as a means of communication, and the direction in which they wag their tails can reveal their emotional state.
Studies have shown that when dogs wag their tails to the right, they generally experience positive emotions such as happiness, excitement, or friendliness. On the other hand, wagging to the left is often linked to negative emotions such as anxiety, fear, or unease. So, if you want to know about your dog’s emotions, observing the direction and speed of a dog’s tail wag can provide valuable insights into their mood and intentions.
Three Eyelids
Dogs have three eyelids: an upper lid, a lower lid, and a third lid, called a nictitating membrane or “haw,” which helps keep their eyes moist and protected. This additional third eyelid is located in the inner corner of the eye and serves several vital functions. It helps to spread tears across the eye’s surface, keeping it moist and preventing dryness. The nictitating membrane also protects against dust, debris, and potential injuries. It can be obvious when a dog is unwell or if the eye is irritated.
Ear Muscles
Dogs have about 18 muscles in each ear, allowing them to move their ears in different directions to hear sounds better. This also helps them express emotions. These muscles enable dogs to rotate, tilt, raise, and lower their ears independently, which enhances their ability to detect sounds from various directions. If you have a dog for security purposes, this skill is handy for locating the source of sounds and communicating with other dogs and humans. Ear movements can also convey a dog’s emotions, such as alertness, curiosity, or relaxation. So, if there is a commotion in the surroundings, this ability makes them aware beforehand.
Color Vision
While dogs are not entirely colorblind, they see colors differently than humans. They can see shades of blue and yellow but not red or green. Their vision is similar to that of a person who is red-green colorblind. Dogs have two color receptors (cones) in their eyes, compared to humans’ three types. This means that dogs can see shades of blue and yellow but have difficulty distinguishing between red and green. Despite having this limitation when distinguishing between different colors and their shades, they have an exciting sense of creativity.
Oldest Dog Breed
Did you know that Saluki is considered one of the oldest dog breeds? Dating back to ancient Egypt around 329 B.C. They were often mummified and buried with their owners. With a history that goes back thousands of years, Saluki originally belonged to the Middle East. In ancient Egypt, Salukis were prized for their speed, endurance, and hunting abilities. They were often depicted in ancient Egyptian art and considered a gift from the gods. The high regard for Salukis extended to the afterlife, where they were sometimes mummified and buried alongside their owners as a testament to their importance and valued companionship.
Conclusion
Learning more about them is essential, given the space dogs take in their owners’ lives. After all, they are not mere creatures existing in your everyday, mundane life; instead, they share one of the most intimate relationships with their human companion. So, if you want to see them from a different perspective, let this blog be a starting point.
