Twenty Awesome and Interesting Dog Facts — You’ll “Dig” Them!

We love dogs as much as you do and although we may be a tad biased, we never get tired of learning more about them! We are sure you will find some of these dog facts interesting so we will share. How many of these facts did you know?

1. The most “pupular” dog in the United States is the Labrador Retriever and has been for more than thirty straight years.

2. Your pup’s nose print is extremely unique, very much like a person’s fingerprint.

3. Nearly half of US dog owners allow their fur-legged friend to sleep in bed with them.

4. A recent study determined that senior dogs dream more than younger dogs.

5. Three out of four people who send a holiday greeting card sign the name on their dog on it.

6. A dog’s sense of smell is absolutely incredible. To put this into perspective, a human’s nose has approximately five million receptors. Your pup’s nose has between 250-300 million receptors!

7.The famous Rin Tin Tin, who was a German Shepherd, was nominated for an Academy Award.

8. Scientists discovered that a dogs’ noses can sense thermal radiation, (heat) which is why blind or deaf dogs are still capable of hunting.

9. The Beegle has been a family favorite dog for almost ninety years. In fact, it is the only breed that was among the five most popular breeds in 1934 to date.

10. Have you ever watched someone yawn and then yawned yourself? The same thing happens to dogs. Give it try next time you are getting tired and watch what you pup does!

11. Have you ever watched your dog curl up into a ball when they go to sleep? This is a natural way to protect themselves while asleep. This position allows them to be less vulnerable.

12. The Basenji dog breed can yodel!

13. The Australian Shepherd is not Australian. It was actually first bred in the United States.

14. Although many believe the ever-popular Labrador Retriever was originally bred in the United States, its roots are from Newfoundland.

15. Dogs are good for your health. Did you know that a human’s blood pressure tends to actually go down while petting a dog? (As does the dog’s!)

16. The United States has more pet dogs than any other country in the world. 75 million!

17. A “Beagler” is the name of a person who hunts with aBeagle.

18. Many believe that dogs are colorblind. They actually are able to detect blue and yellow.

19. Did you know that all puppies are born deaf?

20. The black spots on Dalmatians actually develop as they mature. These puppies are generally born all white.

No matter which way you spin it, dog are amazing creatures that play a big role in our life. They provide us with love, companionship, and loyalty. Despite these facts being amazing, none of them compare to how amazing our fur-legged friends are to us!

Longest Living Dog Breeds — Which are They and Ways to Achieve a Longer Life

The average life expectancy of a dog varies based on many different things. Variables such as having a proper diet, remaining at a healthy weight, and routine veterinarian wellness checks do come into play. Despite all of these things, some dog breeds in general, tend to live longer than others. Below we compiled a list of the top five dogs breeds that have the longest average life expectancy.

New Guinea Singing Dog

The New Guinea Singing Dogs, also referred to as NGSD, are native to the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. These free-roaming dogs have evolved naturally on the island over thousands of years and were not discovered by scientists until about 1950. They have an extremely long average lifespan of about seventeen years.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is the smallest recognized dog breed, named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where it was first noted in the mid-19th century. It is believed that the Chihuahua is thought to derived from the Techichi, a small dog kept by the Toltec people of Mexico as long ago as the 9th century. This breed of dog has an average lifespan of about seventeen years.

Toy Poodle

The Toy Poodle was originally bred in the early 20th century as a companion dog. This breed is known for its loyalty and intelligence. The poodle was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886 and has been a family favorite for generations. This breed has an average lifespan of about sixteen years.

Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier was originally developed in southern England during in the mid-1800s by Parson John Russell. The intentions were to create a working terrier who would hunt with hounds, bolting foxes from their dens so the hounds could chase them. This family pup has an average life expectancy of sixteen years.

Cockapoo

The Cockapoo was first created in the 1960s, when a breeder accidentally combined the genetic material of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. This breed has since taken off in popularity and adored by many families around the world. His long average life expectancy of sixteen years is much thanks to his Poodle parent.

Five Basic Tip to Keep Your Dog Healthy

1- Feed Your Dog a Healthy and Balanced Diet — Always read the ingredients of their food. It is also important to feed your dog the proper amount of food. Variables such as the size of your dog, his activity level, and age must be considered. Feeding your dog too much will result in weight issues as feeding him too little will result in nutrition issues.

2- Dental Care — Routine teeth cleaning is very important. This is not always easy, but with practice this task becomes second nature in time.

3- Keep Your Dog Active, But Don’t Overdo It — Most dogs do well with about thirty minutes of physical exercise every day. It is important to make sure you keep an eye on your pup while exercising to make sure he is not overdoing it.

4- Provide Mental Enrichment and Stimulation — Play with your dog. Human interaction which includes talking to him will help to stimulate his mind. One-on-one playtime vs just allowing him to run around the yard alone is an example of this.

5- Regular Veterinary Visits — Do not wait for there to be a health concern. Routine wellness checks for your fur-legged friend are very important.