15 of the Most Interesting Fun Dog Facts for Kids
Your dog is unique and special to you, and many distinctive qualities set different types of dogs apart.
Here, our vets at Pittsboro Animal Hospital share some fun facts about dogs for kids:
1. Your dog can smell 40 times better than you can.
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell that helps them explore the world and can also help people. Dogs have been used to help with police investigations and even to diagnose and monitor health conditions in people.
2. Dogs can breathe out through their mouth and nose simultaneously.
Have you ever tried to breathe out of your nose and mouth simultaneously? I bet you can't do it! Believe it or not, your dog can do this!
3. All puppies are unable to hear when they are born.
Typically, puppies take up to three weeks to develop their hearing, and once they do, they can already hear much better than you or I can.
4. Many dogs can learn over 100 words and gestures.
While most dogs can learn around 160 words or gestures, some breeds can learn up to 250 words and gestures!
5: Your dog's nose is just like our human fingerprint.
Just like your fingerprint is unique to you, a dog's nose print is entirely their own, and there is no other like it.
6. Greyhounds can pretty much run faster than cheetahs.
While cheetahs can reach 70 mile--per-hour speeds, they can only run this fast for about 30 seconds. Greyhounds, on the other hand, can keep a steady pace of 45 miles per hour for over 7 miles before they need to stop.
7. Dogs sweat through their paws instead of their armpits.
Along with panting, dogs sweat through their paws to stay cool, which gives them a better grip.
8. Your dog doesn't see color the same way you do.
While we commonly refer to dogs as colorblind, this isn't exactly true. They can still see some colors, but we don't entirely know how they perceive these colors.
9. The world's tallest dog was over 7 feet tall!
Zeus was a Great Dane who stood over 7 feet tall when on his hind legs. He could drink from the kitchen sink and even caused his family to need a larger vehicle to accommodate him.
10. An Australian shepherd isn't even from Australia.
Australian shepherds are actually native to California and were a popular breed among cowboys.
11. Dalmatians don't have spots when they are born.
Surprisingly, Dalmatians don't have any spots when they are first born. They are pure white! However, they become more spotted as they age.
12. Your dog will dream just like you do.
Did you spot your dog twitching or moving while it was sleeping? This is actually because it is dreaming, just like you do.
13. Yawning is contagious for dogs too!
The yawn effect isn't just limited to people. Dogs have been known to catch a yawn or two from those around them!
14. Look to the Newfoundland if you want a good lifeguard.
The Newfoundland breed was actually created for just this purpose. Because of this selective breeding, they have webbed toes and water-resistant fur.
15. A dog's eye has three eyelids.
While they have the same two types of eyelids, dogs have a third eyelid, which is an extra protective layer that helps care for their eyes, protect them from scratches, remove debris from the eye, and keep the eyes moist by spreading tears across the eyeball.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.