12 Fun Facts About Dogs

There is more to dogs than most people think! Here are 12 unique facts about dogs that you’ve probably never heard of before.

1. Dogs can read our emotions

Do you ever catch your dog staring at you? This might be because they want yummy treats , want to go play outside, OR they could be reading your emotions! Researchers have found that dogs are the only animal that can sense our emotions from a single glance. 👀

Next time you’re feeling excited about something new, watch how your dog responds. If you see their head turn to the left, that is an indicator they are feeling the positive vibes, too!

2. Tail wags have multiple meanings

Tail wagging one of the best methods of communication in the canine kingdom. When a dog wags their tail, yes it can mean they’re excited, but it can also have lesser-known meanings.

While some wags are associated with excitement, others can mean fear, aggression, or insecurity, according to the VCA Animal Hospital. Other feelings may include agitation, negotiation, curiosity, friendliness, and happiness depending on the position and speed of the tail wag.

3. Dogs can see more than just black and white

Have you ever wondered what the world would look like through your dog's eyes? You are not alone!

It has long been assumed that canines can only see shades of gray, however that is not the case. Dogs can see color, though the colors are not as vivid as humans. Check out the Pet MD chart below for a human view vs. a dog.

4. They curl up into a ball for protection

You’ve probably noticed that your furry companion loves to curl up into a ball before going to sleep. This motion creates warmth and allows dogs to conserve their body heat. Doing so also protects their most vulnerable organs from predator attacks. This tactic was passed down from their ancestors.

5. Canines can sweat through their paws

Have you ever given your pup a high five and noticed the bottom of their paw was slightly moist? This is totally normal. Unlike humans who have sweat glands covering most of our body, the majority of dogs’ sweat glands are located in their paws.

6. They can help with health problems

Dogs bring so much joy to the world and can do amazing things for people dealing with health problems.

Not only can dogs be trained to assist individuals with physical, visual, or hearing impairments, they can also provide support for people living with mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In 1990, a blind man hiked the Appalachian Trail for eight months with his guide dog, Orient, helping him along the way. Dogs are truly a man’s best friend!

7. 3 dogs survived the Titanic

Did you know three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic? It’s true! When the ship went down, two Pomeranians and a Pekinese lived to bark the tale. Move over Rose and Jack!

8. They have wet noses for a reason

Curious as to why a dog's nose is always wet? Research says that a wet nose is meant to help them absorb scent chemicals. Once their noses secrete a special mucus, they’ll then lick their noses to sample it, which helps them understand what the smell is.

9. A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times stronger than ours

It’s no secret that canines are expert sniffers. The reason a dog's sense of smell is 10,000-100,000 stronger than humans is because they have over 300 million olfactory receptors in their nose.

Particularly, a Bloodhound's sense of smell is so strong that it can be used as evidence in a court of law. Watch out police, there’s a new top dog in town!

10. They’re deep sleepers 💤

Have you ever seen your dog twitching or growling in their sleep? Research shows that a dog's brain wave patterns are very similar to humans, suggesting that our four-legged friends dream like humans do. Dream on doggos!

11. The tallest dog in the world is 44 inches tall

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. But the award for the world’s tallest dog goes to Zeus, a Great Dane measuring in at 44 inches tall. See for yourself!

Okay, we totally understand why he got the name, Zeus!

12. The Jedi Ewoks in Star Wars were based on a real dog

If you’re a Star Wars fan then you’ll love this fact! The LA Times claims that George Lucas, American film director and producer, modeled Ewoks after his family dog. May the force be with you, George!

As you can see, dogs are unique creatures with many different talents.