Dogs are amazing animals with many talents, which humans have been harnessing for thousands of years. Dogs are companions, can soothe anxieties, become police officers and work for the military, can detect medical conditions, help the disabled, and so much more! Domestic dogs descended from wolves, but they have become central to our lives, and we learn more and more about them as research uncovers the true extent of their abilities. Memorial Villages Animal Hospital wants to pay homage to your canine best friend by sharing some interesting dog facts.
#1: Dogs have smelling superpowers
A dog’s sense of smell is somewhere between 10,000 and 100,000 times better than a human’s. To put that in perspective, a dog can detect a teaspoon of sugar in the amount of water that fills two olympic swimming pools. They use their unique anatomy—the brain area devoted to analyzing smells is 40 times larger than ours, and their noses contain 50 times more scent receptors. About 12% of inhaled air is diverted to scent receptors, with the rest going to the lungs for breathing. This enables dogs to detect cancer in a few microscopic cells, find hidden drugs, detect blood sugar levels, locate people and other animals, and more. Dogs who track can focus on one particular scent, despite the concurrent influx of many others. Dogs also possess a special organ in their nasal passage that solely detects pheromones, informing them about other area dogs. A dog’s sense of smell is truly their superpower!
#2: Dogs are the most genetically variable mammal
The American Kennel Club recognizes more than 150 dog breeds, with many other unofficial breeds, and endless possible mixed-breed combinations. Different dog breeds’ genes can vary by up to 27%, despite all dogs belonging to the same species—resulting in wildly different body shapes and sizes, coat color, leg length, head shape and size, and behavioral characteristics. The entire genome of the domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris, has been sequenced and extensively studied to determine each breed’s origin, and a mixed-breed’s genes can determine their ancestry with 99% certainty.
#3: Not all dogs can bark
The Basenji, a medium-sized, ancient hound breed, cannot actually bark, although they make many other noises, including their characteristic “yodel.” Other breeds tend toward their own particular vocalizations, including chatty Siberian huskies who “talk,” shiba inus who “scream,” and Alaskan malamutes who “sing.” All dogs are individuals, and develop their own repertoire of sounds, along with non-verbal communication signals using their ears, eyes, mouth, and tail to communicate their needs.
#4: Dogs can navigate subway systems
Moscow, Russia, hosts around 35,000 stray dogs, a problem the city’s residents have come to accept as normal. These dogs are skilled at observing humans and using man-made systems to their advantage. Some dogs understand traffic signals, some understand that the smallest, cutest dogs are more successful beggars, and one extraordinary group has learned to navigate the subway system. Dogs are regularly found waiting for and calmly riding the trains, getting off at familiar, consistent locations. Moscow also has a statue dedicated to one of these special dogs who was unjustly killed by a frightened rider.
#5: Dogs probably don’t feel guilt or shame
You know all those dog-shaming memes you’ve seen on social media? The dog did something naughty, and appears to show remorse by lowering their head, tucking their tail, grinning, looking away, or rolling onto their backs. The truth is, these dogs aren’t feeling guilty—they are responding to their human’s emotions. Dogs are keen observers of human facial expression, voice tones, and body language, and use this information to determine emotions. So, if you’re upset, your dog will try to calm you down with submissive and appeasing behaviors.
#6: Some dogs are learning how to talk
If you’ve seen the dog-shaming memes, you’ve probably also come across famous “talking dogs” on social media, like Bunny the sheepadoodle. These dogs are part of a research project at the University of California, San Diego, whose goal is to better understand dogs’ ability to use language—a trait previously proven only in primates. The dogs use a board with buttons they can press, each speaking a different word out loud. Researchers don’t yet know if the dogs truly understand how to string words together meaningfully, or if our human brains are interpreting the results with bias, but this research is intriguing, to say the least.
Dogs hold a special place in our hearts, and have become integral to humans in so many ways. Memorial Villages Animal Hospital can keep your dog healthy, so they can keep being your family rock star. Call us to schedule your dog’s annual wellness exam, vaccines, or any other health or behavioral needs.
Leave A Comment