Don’t you just love’em? Known as man’s best friend and were the first animals domesticated by man. Where did the first dog come from you ask? Well dogs were discovered to originate from a weasel like creature that was called a Miacis. These creatures lived about 40 million years ago. But the first actual dog came about 13,000 years ago from Eurasia.
It’s believed a dog originally was formed from a weasel like creature into a fox then to a wolf. What made that fox so mad he turned into a big bad wolf? Don’t ask me what kind of evolution took place to really make that happen. Could make an interesting movie, though. So that means all dogs are descendants of wolfs.
The cavemen of the Palaeolithic age were the first to domesticate the dog and bread them into the dogs that are seen today. Can you imagine that? I wonder who was smarter. But it does make sense why dogs are so developed along side man. They practically grew up together.
Let’s get into some basic dog facts:
Dog years are not actually 7yrs to 1 human year in age. They are actually a little more. The first three years of a dog’s life age is increased greatly in three yearly intervals. Example, first year is equal to 16 years of human life. Second year is 24 years. Third year is 30 years to human years. So at 3 years your dog has aged 30 years. Talk about up and over the hill, poor things.
All dogs have pink tongues. Except the Shar-pei and the Chow, their tongues are black. That’s lovely to think about.
Dogs have whiskers near the nose, above the eyes, and under the jaws. These whiskers help them to detect the slightest shift in air flow. That is how they detect movement so well.
We all know the great sense of smell dogs have. It may be due the extremely large amount of membranes in those snowsers. If the membranes in a dog’ nose were laid out they would be bigger than the dogs itself.
Here is something funny about dogs and smells. Did you know that dogs chew on your socks, shoes, and even underwear because they smell like you? I wonder where dogs learned pay-back.
Dogs can see color. I don’t know where people got the idea that dogs can’t see color, but they do, just not as vivid as we do.
42 big scary teeth are in a dog’ mouth. Take a bite on that. Speaking of bite, the average dog brings to bear down 150 to 200 pounds of pressure for every square inch of bite. Bigger dogs of course can bear down up to 450 pounds.
Dogs have a life span of about 8 to 15 years.
Downsizing to the smaller version of dogs, and by that I mean puppies, those most adorable and irresistible creatures, that has that cute factor working for them.
Can you imagine what it is like to be born blind, deaf, and toothless? Well all puppies are. Come to think of it so are we, pretty much.
Puppies do not open their eyes until about 10 to 15 days after birth. It takes about four weeks for the little critters to get their full eyesight.
It is best to leave a puppy with its mother until eight weeks, at least. They need that bond to learn good dog behavior. You don’t want your puppy to turn out to be some kind of rebel. Do You?
If you can identify the most confident puppy in the litter, be aware, for it thinks it’s the leader of the pack and will always looking to run things. Is that the kind of pet you’re looking for?
When you bring a puppy home for the first time, you don’t have to leave him alone. It is emotional enough that it has been taken from its mother. But after it realizes it has a new home teach it where its place is.
Training a puppy from the beginning will guarantee you a good pet. Also, with proper health and attention you’ll have a content puppy.
Puppies need to chew. It is best to get them something that is just for them. Don’t punish them. This is there way of working on the baby teeth that will later grow into their permanent teeth.
Did you know that a mother dog carries her pups for up to 60 days? Yes, it’s true.
A puppy is easy to love. But knowing the background of the kind of dog it grows into will help you raise a better pet. You will want to know its temperament and what environment it will be happy in. If you’re going to get a new puppy, take the time to research what kind of dog you’re getting.
Here are some doggy facts to get you started….
First thing to know is the oldest recorded bread of dog is called the Saluki. It was raised by the Egyptians for hunting.
Greyhounds are pretty fast reaching a pace 45 miles per hour, in short distances. Can you imagine chasing after that thing?
Well a Springer Spaniel should be easy to guess their ability. Key word is: Spring!
Now if you want a dog that doesn’t bark there is only one known in the world and it is the Basenji, some kind of African Wolf Dog. Imagine bringing that home it might actually look scarier then it sounds.
Chihuahuas are the smallest dogs in the world. So if you’re looking for pocket size it is a good choice. The Chihuahua in the Taco Bell commercials is a female named Gidget. Small world.
The Bull Terrier was created by mix breeding the Terrier and the bulldog.
The African Wolf dog known as the Basenji, actually yodels instead of barking, and licks itself clean, similar to that of a cat.
There is an English Mastiff that holds the record for being the heaviest dog, weighing in at 343 pounds. Think Mastiff, think Grande.
An Australian Cattle Dog holds the record for living to 29 years. So if you’re looking for a long term relationship.
If toes and ears are an issue for you, check out the Lundehund breed. They have six toes; I bet for better gripping and can open and close their ears. I’m sure the ear thing is just to shut you out.
St. Bernard dogs are good dogs to have around if you live up in the mountains. They are the best known rescue dogs.
The German Shepard breeds are great guard dogs. They are very intuitive and helpful to those in need.
Those are just a few breeds, but there are about 800 known breeds today. There is probably a breed for every man, woman, and child. Or all of the above.
Behavior is an important factor for knowing a dog. Just let dogs be dogs. But dogs can suffer from poor self images if you don’t treat them right.
Dogs need petting and affection. They are pack animals and are breed for closeness with the ones they run with.
A dog needs to have an outlet for its excess energy levels. Maybe, chasing cars will do the trick. Dogs actually are reinforced with the idea that the car runs away when they chase after it. Since it seems to go and they chase.
Don’t stare directly into the eyes of a dog that doesn’t know you or like you anyway. They will take it as a challenge. Don’t want to do that.
A dog likes to shake things around in its mouth as part of its instinctive hunting rituals. Also, burying bones is instinctive as part of their feeding rituals.
Howling at the moon is a dog’s natural instinct to call the pack together.
Dogs have great internal clocks. They are on time for everything.
Before lying down you’ll see most dogs turn in a circle, instinctively it turns tall grass, which is usually a great place to lie low and make a bed for snoozing.
Who is running your home? If you’re a push over a dog will see you as lower pack status and will treat you that way. Have the higher pack status and have a submissive dog.
Dogs can get frustrated too. So, make sure they have healthy routines for their living accommodations. Dog’s have feelings too. If you neglect a dog you will know in the mess he leaves you while you’re away. I know another reason why dogs get frustrated. It’s because of this joke: How many dogs does it take to screw in a light bulb? They can’t you dummy they only have paws!
Dogs have been apart of our lives since the beginning. Their history and pedigrees extend as far as man. They have been along the side of man and contributed to the social, commerce, and sure political structure we live in today. There is even a religious parable about a story of a group people that fell asleep in a cave, seeking God’s mercy. Among them was a dog.
Animal Fun Facts