Interesting Facts About Fido

Our canine friends have likely been among us for 30,000 years or more. We’ve definitely learned a lot about dogs in that time. Every year, however, we continue to discover new things about our furry best friends. Continue reading for a fascinating fact sheet on Fido from a local Beaufort, NC vet.

Pawsitive News

Fido’s furry paws are pretty amazing. They provide your cute pet with traction, serve as shock absorbers, and provide him with information about the area he is walking on. 

Here are a few ‘pawsitively’ fun facts about your pup’s feet:

• Fido only sweats through his paw pads.
• The thick skin covering those adorable toe beans offers protection from both heat and cold. They aren’t totally weatherproof, though, so you’ll need to take care to keep your pet off  hot or cold surfaces.
• Some dogs lick their paws to relieve stress. Consider this the doggy equivalent of gnawing on fingernails. (Note: Fido may also be licking his paws to indicate that his feet are sore. Contact your Beaufort, NC veterinarian about this.)
• Like human beings, dogs often have one dominant paw. Approximately three out of four pups use one paw more than the other, according to one study. Approximately 60% of the observed pooches were right-pawed, with the other individuals being left-pawed. 

Our Canine Pals Can Catch Yawns

We all know that yawning is contagious, but no one knows exactly why. Turns out Fido is also capable of catching “the yawns.” Studies show that this is much more likely to occur if the dog knows the person who’s yawning. 

Also, yawns seem to be infectious among other animal species, such as wolves, gelada baboons, domesticated pigs, African lions, domesticated sheep, elephant seals, and birds, especially budgies.

Fido Was Here

Does your dog sometimes cover his excrement with leaves or dirt? A lot of people think Fido is trying to hide his smell. Cats bury their waste for this specific reason. But in reality, Fido is marking his territory with the scent glands in his paws.

What’s Included In A Name?

Have you researched any particular breeds before? It’s interesting to find out about the origins of our different canine friends. Often, the name of a breed shows where that pooch came from. However, there are a few pups that didn’t get this memo. For example, the French Poodle actually hails from Germany, while the Australian Shepherd originates from the United States, not Australia. The Labrador Retriever has Newfoundland origins. 

An Absolutely Incredible Friend

Dogs are loved and admired for their devotion and affection. Research indicates that dogs are among the few creatures willing to help other living things.

A Dog’s Life

Does your four-legged buddy seem to like music? If that’s the case, play him “A Day in the Life,” a Beatles song. Only dogs can hear the supersonic note that Paul McCartney added at the song’s conclusion as a covert homage to his Shetland Sheepdog.

Fido’s Physiology

Man’s Best Friend has 42 teeth and 321 bones. Additionally, Fido runs a little hotter than we do—a dog’s typical body temperature is 101.2 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Popularity Contest

The cute, carefree Labrador Retriever is incredibly popular. In fact, he topped the AKC’s list of the most beloved breeds for more than 31 years. However, that winning streak ended in 2022, when he was replaced by the French Bulldog.

Doggy Masterpieces

Does your canine companion like making nose prints on windows? If so, you’ve got some unique masterpieces. Every canine has a distinctive nose print. Consider this dog’s equivalent of a fingerprint. (Tip: To clean your windows and get rid of your pet’s “paintings,” try newspaper and white vinegar.)

Yup, Fido Does Dream

Has your pooch ever twitched his paws or made sounds when he was asleep? It’s likely that your canine buddy was dreaming. Although every dog can dream, it seems that puppies and elderly dogs dream the most. As far as what Fido is dreaming about, we suspect that toys, snacks, squirrels, and maybe the neighbor’s cat might all be involved.

Time After Time

Have you ever noticed that your beloved canine companion seems to understand when it’s time for a walk, a meal, or bedtime? According to studies, our furry friends do really have a sense of time.

The Name Game

The AKC roster currently includes 201 distinct breeds. The Lancashire Heeler is the newest one. Which one is the oldest? The Saluki deserves that distinction. These sleek, elegant Sighthounds have been discovered in tombs in ancient Egypt that date as far back as 2100 B.C. The Saluki wasn’t an early addition to the AKC, though. Pointer, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, English Setter, and Gordon Setter were among the earliest breeds registered; these dogs were primarily hunting dogs.

Additionally, 72 breeds are currently enrolled in the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS), which functions much like a waiting list or applicant pool for AKC recognition. It will take time to find out how many are accepted, as admission isn’t guaranteed.

The Numbers Game

It’s always interesting to examine the findings of different surveys to find out what people are thinking and doing. 

Here are a few recent results:

• 90% of our canine companions like spending time with their owners as we are watching TV.
• 45% of U.S. dog owners let their young canine friends sleep on their beds.
• 70% sign both their name and Fido’s on cards.
• 47% of U.S. households have at least one dog.

They’re Incredibly Smart

Did you know that the average dog can learn more than 100 words and phrases? Fido’s favorite words are probably Bacon, Treat, Walk, and Car Ride, with Bathtime likely being his least favorite.

Fido’s Amazing Nose

We can’t talk about fascinating dog facts without including Fido’s cute nose. Dogs have an exceptionally sharp sense of smell!

Here are a few instances:

• The olfactory processing region of Fido’s brain is approximately forty times larger than ours is.
• Dogs can smell through each nostril separately. Consider this a 3D smell experience. Fido locates the source of a smell by using data from each nose. 
• Certain dogs have the ability to smell out diseases like cancer.
• There are up to 300 million smell receptors in Fido’s nose, compared to our pitiful 5 million.
• Dogs’ noses are about 100,000 times more perceptive than humans’.
• Our canine companions have the capacity to exhale simultaneously through both their mouths and noses.
• When a dog is panting or extremely hot, it can impact their sense of smell. In fact, your pet’s sense of smell could drop by as much as forty percent when they’re overheated or exhausted!
• Dogs can smell things up to 100,000 times better than humans can.
• Fido can smell something like a half-teaspoon of sugar in an Olympic-sized pool. 
• Canine nostrils produce a unique kind of mucus. This material takes in chemicals from smell molecules. Fido can discover more about what he is smelling by licking his nose.  

Do you have concerns regarding your dog’s health or care? Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. As your local Beaufort, NC animal clinic, we’re here to help!