- Heard that one dog year equals 7 people years? Not exactly. The first two years of a dog's life each equals 12 people years. Starting with the third year, however, every dog year is the equivalent of 4 people years.
- Looking out for number one? The most popular breed of dog in the United States is the lovable, loyal Labrador retriever.
- And the award for the world's fastest dog goes to...the greyhound! And there he goes now...at top spends of up to 40 to 50 miles per hour.
- Why do dogs eat grass? You may have heard that canines chow down on grass to aid their digestion, but there's no scientific proof. It may be just because they like the taste!
- Hot to trot! A dog's normal temperature is about 101 to 102 degrees.
- Friends for life: Research suggests that dogs were first domesticated about 12,000 to 15,000 years ago.
- As a rule, smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger ones. A tiny Chihuahua can live to be 16, while giant breeds such as mastiffs typically have a lifespan of about 8 years old.
- Marking the spot: Dalmatian pups begin to develop their characteristic black spots by the time they're about two weeks old.
- A canine's sense of smell is about a million times better than a human's. A bloodhound can track a trail several days old by sniffing shed skin cells. Some dogs can even diagnose (smell) cancer.
- Mama mia! The gestation period of a dog is about 63 days.
- Basenjis may be the only dogs that don't bark, but they have been known to yodel!
- Ever wonder what kind of dog Snoopy is? Charles Schulz's canine cartoon character is a beagle.
- It's fun for a dog to stick her head out of the car window, but you "auto" know better than to allow you pet to "hang out" during car rides. This can subject her to inner ear damage, and eye and lung infections.
- Why do dogs drool? It's not that they have bad table manners. Food stimulates salivary flow to begin the digestive process and makes his food easier to swallow.
- When it comes to canines, not everything is black and white. Scientists believe that dogs can see part of the visible spectrum, mostly in shades of yellow and blue.
- The world's largest dog is the Irish wolfhound. Standing on his hind feet he can reach up to seven feet!
- If you can't feel Rover's ribs, he may need to shed a few pounds. Please consult with your veterinarian for advice on a safe and healthy diet and exercise plan.
- Hey, cuz! Dogs descended from wolves, particularly wolves who were less fearful of humans and bold enough to scavenge garbage from these earliest settlers.
- Dogs can get sunburned, too. That's why it's important never to shave your pooch down to the skin during the warmer months.
- Got your heart set on a particular breed of dog? Head to your local humane society or rescue group! One in four shelter dogs is a purebred.
- The scoop on poop eating: We know it's gross, but many experts believe that feces eating in dogs goes back to their scavenger days in the wild, when our not exactly finicky canine chowed down on everything, and anything, in his path! There may even be some nutritional benefits.
- Puppies begin to lose their first set of teeth when they're around four to six months old.
- Can you hear the sound of your dog's nails clicking on the floor? Uh oh...that means it's time for a trim!
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