10 most amazing and interesting facts about dogs

It is very difficult to answer the question of how many pet dogs live in families around the world. It is not possible to count them. Dogs need care: they need to be fed, treated, walked, trained. This takes a lot of time and money, but most people still prefer dogs over fish or rats early on.

However, there is nothing to be surprised here. In return, these animals give a lot of positive emotions. Dogs are the most devoted and loyal friends. Most owners are sure: they know absolutely everything about their pets.

If you also have this beautiful animal, or you just like to learn something new, pay attention to our article. Below is a ranking of the most interesting and surprising facts about dogs.

10 Dogs see better in the dark than in daylight.

According to scientists, dogs are transitional animals. They are one of those lucky ones who see equally well both day and night.. In the dark, their vision will be 3-4 times greater than that of a human. This is due to the special structure of the retina. This fact can also be explained in terms of evolution. Dogs are predatory animals, in the wild they hunt mainly at night.

There are several other factors that affect an animal’s ability to see. Dogs are better at distinguishing moving objects. The sense of smell plays an important role. The dog has another “secret weapon” that helps him see at night – his whiskers. They help the animal to determine the approach of danger or prey.

9. Significantly different from each other depending on the breed

Of course, we are not talking about differences in the appearance of animals. Turns out, the nature and behavior of a dog largely depends on its belonging to a particular breed.

A group of neuroscientists at Harvard have been studying this issue. As a result of the study, they found that there are big differences between the anatomy of the brain. Without going into details, we can conclude that each breed has its own focus (hunting, protection).

True, some scientists consider the study unreliable, since most modern dogs live in apartments or houses and lead a completely different lifestyle than their predecessors.

8. The nose print is unique, like human fingerprints.

Each dog has its own nose print. This pattern is individual and cannot be confused with the pattern of another animal..

An artificial intelligence developer from China has recently become interested in this issue. The company has created a smartphone app (“Megvii”) that can be used to recognize the animal. This application will be very useful if the pet gets lost.

Chinese developers say that it can also be used in case of problems. For example, if the owner walks the dog without a muzzle. Based on this information, they plan to compile ratings “uncivilized content» animals.

7. Can detect various diseases in humans

This fact may seem fantastic, but it is true. Dogs use their sense of smell to sense human diseases. Scientists say that the animal can be trained to detect cancer and other serious diseases.

Dogs can anticipate an epileptic seizure up to 45 minutes before it starts. Also, furry friends are able to “smell” the feelings and emotions of their owners by smell.

6. Nose – cooling system

Dog owners should be aware that their pets can only sweat through their nose and paw pads. Special glands are located in the nose. They release moisture, when breathing it evaporates, the mucous membranes of the animal are cooled.

The cooling system of dogs with a long nose works much more efficiently than that of bulldogs, pugs, etc. That is why representatives of such breeds have problems in the cooling process. They have a hard time with heat and exercise. If we consider this feature from the point of view of anatomy, such animals have an anomaly in the structure of the skull, which appeared as a result of selective work, and is now inherited.

5. Seeing dreams

Dog owners often notice that their pets twitch their paws, growl, and even try to bite someone in their sleep. It can be concluded that they too can “enjoy” dreams.

Biologists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducted a series of studies on the brain of dogs and proved that it is similar to the human brain.

Another, no less interesting question: what do they dream about? Scientists have tried to answer it. They believe that dogs dream about events that happened to them in real life, and they also often dream of their owners. Just take their word for it.

4. Great Dane – the tallest breed

Great Danes are called “Apollo dogs“. These are graceful and stately animals. Height can reach 90cm, weight – varies from 60 to 90 kg, depending on gender and hereditary characteristics. Despite their formidable appearance, Great Danes are rather calm animals. They are confident, friendly, reserved.

Interesting fact: the tallest dog in the world is Giant George, just a representative of this breed. The animal lived in the city of Tucson. His height was 1,1 m, weight – 110 kg. When the dog stood up on its hind legs, it was much taller than its owner – 2,2 meters. This dog was more like a giant horse. Unfortunately, George did not live long in this world, he died at the age of 7 years.

3. Dogs in space

The Americans sent monkeys into space, and in the Soviet Union this mission was entrusted to dogs. In 1957, 12 animals were selected for this purpose. Albina, a homeless dog, was the first dog to travel into space. She flew half the orbit and was able to return to Earth alive and unharmed.

The fate of her follower Laika was tragic, she died a painful death. Another “space conqueror” Mukha was blown up, as the rocket lost control and the Soviet people were afraid that it would fall on the territory of another country.

The famous Belka and Strelka became the first animals to make an orbital space flight.. Its duration was 25 hours. The dogs managed to return to Earth, they lived to a ripe old age. Now their stuffed animals can be seen in the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics.

2. Mental abilities at the level of intelligence of a two-year-old child

Scientists have found that the level of development of the dog corresponds to the level of development of the child 2 – 2,5 years. The animal knows up to 165 words, can count up to 5. In their opinion, it is easy to find a common language with a dog if you talk to it like a small child.

1. Average life expectancy 8 to 15 years

As unfortunate as it may sound, but The life expectancy of a dog is much shorter than that of a human. It depends on the breed of the animal and on the conditions of detention.. If you have chosen an English Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux or Newfoundland, prepare for the fact that the animal is unlikely to live to be 10 years old. There are long-lived breeds: dachshund, husky, chihuahua, etc.

Of course, each case is individual, but the owner of the dog must remember that the life of the pet is in his hands. High-quality food, walks, regular trips to the veterinarian – if you follow all these conditions, you can maximize the life of your pet.