Did you know that August 26th was National Dog Day? In honor of your dog, our team at Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert wants to let you in on a few fun facts about dogs that you may not know!
1. MUCH LIKE YOUR FINGERPRINT, YOUR DOG’S NOSE-PRINT IS UNIQUE.
Believe it or not, the Canadian Kennel Club has been using dog nose-prints as a means of identification since 1938! A few places in the United States use this method now. While it is a very accurate way of identifying dogs, microchips have taken the lead as the primary means of dog identification.
2. PETTING YOUR DOG MAY HAVE HEART-HEALTHY BENEFITS.
Studies have shown that dog owners have lower blood pressure and better overall health than people without dogs. This is most likely because dogs have a calming effect on their owners, pet owners tend to get more exercise with their dogs, and there is known blood-pressure reducing magic in the power of touch between human and dog. Check out our post from February for more information about how pets can protect your heart health!
3. YOUR DOG’S SENSE OF SMELL IS AT LEAST 10,000 TIMES STRONGER THAN YOURS.
It is actually 10,000 to 100,000 times stronger than yours. The reason for this is because dogs have up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, while humans possess around six million. The anatomy of their noses also contributes to this sensory super-power. While humans smell and breathe through the same airways, a dog’s nostrils create a path for them to smell various scents separately from simply taking in airflow or breathing. Amazing!
4. YOUR DOG’S FEET SMELL LIKE CORN CHIPS, AND THAT’S NORMAL.
The unique smell of your dog’s feet is a result of the unique sweat glands on her footpads. In fact, the only place a dog has sweat glands is on her feet! This sweat, combined with bacteria, gives off a yeasty smell that often smells like corn chips. It is your pet’s natural odor, and most dog-owners find this scent pleasant. If your dog’s feet get too stinky, consider gently trimming the hair between her foot pads and giving her a bath.
5. YOUR DOG LOVES OBEDIENCE TRAINING.
Many people may assume dogs don’t enjoy obedience training, but nothing could be further from the truth. Dogs love learning new skills! Obedience training keeps your dog active and mentally stimulated. Investing in your dog’s training will benefit her throughout her lifetime!
6. YOUR DOG IS AS INTELLIGENT AS A 2-YR-OLD HUMAN.
A two-year-old human and a full-grown dog can understand around 150 words. Researchers also believe dogs can count and can use deception to get treats. Dogs differ in intelligence level, and some of this is due to breed. Average dogs can learn up to 165 words and extra-intelligent dogs can learn up to 250 words, including signals.
We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about dogs! This year, for National Dog Day, celebrate your fur baby by making sure she is healthy. Bring her in to Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert for her annual check-up. Our passion is providing compassionate, affordable care for all of your pets.
Image by huoadg5888 from Pixabay