Dogs offer so much: loyalty, companionship, love, assistance etc. I’ve always been a sucker for little known facts, but I’m even more of a sucker for dogs. Out of countless dog facts in our database, here are eight I think you’ll like.
Dogs sweat
Popular belief would have you believe dogs don’t sweat. Well, popular belief is wrong. Dogs do sweat. Albeit they sweat in the most odd place — through their feet. On hot days, sweat cools the body by evaporating. Since fur would hinder this evaporating process, it makes sense the sweat glands (Merocrine glands) would be located in a dog’s feet where there is little fur.
Sweating through the feet is just a small part of the cooling process for dogs. Panting still does most of the cooling work. When a dog pants, the air flowing through the mouth will evaporate creating a cool sensation.
Sometimes panting, sweating and other cooling methods are not enough if your dog is left in hot environments for too long. Heatstroke is a real threat, and owners should be aware of the signs.
Dogs can detect cancer
The remarkable ability of a dog’s sense of smell has been put to the test by detecting narcotics, explosives, people and more. Now, research is suggesting dogs can smell the odors of certain cancers as well.
Research is still being conducted, but it seems dogs can use scent cues in skin, breath, urine, feces and sweat to detect cancer. siting multiple studies, after training, dogs have been able to accurately detect melanoma, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer.
Useless Fact: Dogs can smell diabetes.
Dogs were sent to space
Many animals were sent to space during the ‘Space Race’ between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviets had many firsts; including the first animal to orbit the Earth.
Laika was originally a stray dog roaming the streets of Moscow. She was selected to be the occupant of the Sputnik 2 mission launched on 3 November 1957. The ultimate goal was to determine if a human could survive the extreme conditions of launch and orbit. Unfortunately, Laika died from overheating within hours after launch due to system failures. Monuments have been built in her name.
Lincoln’s dog Fido was assassinated
President Abraham Lincoln owned a yellow mixed breed dog he named Fido. Fido would often be seen waiting for Lincoln at the barber shop or carrying parcels for his master. Unfortunately, a year after Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theatre, Fido also met the same fate. A drunken man, named Charlie Plank, was sitting on the curb when Fido jumped on him with dirty paws. He knifed Fido in an intoxicated rage, and the dog ran off. Fido was eventually found under a church where he died.
Useless Fact: According to the American Kennel Club, the popular dog name ‘Fido’ originated from Lincoln’s dog.
Spiked dog collars
Those spiked dog collars that make your pup look tough and cool has an origin story. thousands of years ago, the ancient Greeks had an issue with wolves killing their sheepdogs. The invention of the spiked dog collar (wolf collar) was born. With this collar, it was impossible for a wolf to latch onto a dog’s neck without causing serious harm to the wolf.
Even today, these collars serve the same purpose in many countries that utilize sheepdogs to protect their flock.
Beatlemania
In 1967, The Beatles pressed the famous Sgt. Pepper album. Following the song “A Day in the Life“, there is a high-pitched frequency at the 15-kilohertz tone humans could not hear, but your family pet could. John Lennon thought it would be a funny addition to the album. The sound only existed on the original British pressing, not the US pressings of the record.
Useless Fact: Cats can hear these frequencies too.
Greyhounds can outrun a cheetah
Sure. Cheetahs are the fastest land animal at up to 70 mph. However, that speed is only maintained for about 200 to 300 yards before becoming exhausted, according to Psychology Today. The Cheetah is stealthy and able to sneak up on its prey in order to strike from short distances.
Greyhounds are FAST. How fast? We’re talking 45 mph in the first 6 strides fast. Sure, that’s much slower than the cheetah, but the greyhound would win out over longer distances. Being a distance runner, Greyhounds are capable of running about 7 miles at a cruising speed of 35 miles per hour.
Useless Fact: Greyhounds have been nicknamed the “40 Mph Couch Potato” because of their affinity for lounging.
The commuting dogs of Moscow
It’s common knowledge in most large cities, the subway system can be an intricate web that takes time to learn. It’s also no secret that dogs are intelligent creatures. With both of the above being true, it’s still surprising that stray dogs in Moscow have figured out the complex subway system. Hopping on and of the trains at their leisure, the dogs will typically have favorite stops they regularly visit. For the most part, Moscow natives don’t seem to mind. There seems to be a mutual coexistence.
This is only eight facts about dogs we scavenged from our database. There are countless others about our best friends. If you want to see more dog facts, write in the comments below!
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