1. Music For Your Furry Friend
At the end of the Beatles song, “A Day In The Life”, from the Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, Paul McCartney recorded a high pitched, ultrasonic whistle at 15 kilohertz, that can only be heard by dogs. He did this just for his Sheepdog.
2. All Heart
Human hearts beat at 60-100 times per minute and a large dog is roughly the same. However, did you know that a small dog’s resting heart beat is between 100 and 140 times per minute?
3. They’re All So Unique
Did you know that every dog’s nose print is unique? Yes, just like the human finger print, a dog’s nose contains totally unique bumps and ridges that could be used to identify them.
4. Dogs Are REALLY Old!
It’s believed that all the different species of dogs on earth are descended from an ancient species called Tomarctus, which lived 15 million years ago! The oldest known specific breed of dog was from Ancient Egypt; a pet known as Saluki. Modern dogs are descended from wolves and the original Tomarctus dog is thought to be descended from a weasel-like animal called the Miacis.
5. Speedy Pets
The average dog can run about 19 miles per hour at full speed, but Greyhounds can reach an incredible 45 mph.
6. Dog Wee is Corrosive
Yes, dog urine can corrode metal! In 2003 Derbyshire County Council carried out a six month survey of 1 million lamp posts in order to ascertain whether or not dog wee was causing them to disintegrate.
7. Who Needs a Compass?
Dogs don’t need to use a compass as they are sensitive to the earth’s magnetic fields. They can also see UV light and hear the ultrasound waves that bats use to navigate.
8. Puppy Love
Yes, that’s right. Your dog actually can fall in love. A research study in California founds that dog’s brains release oxytocin when they interact with humans and other dogs that they like. This is exactly what happens in the human brain when we hug or kiss.
9. Your Dog Has Empathy
Studies have shown that dogs can catch yawns, just like humans do, but that this is five times more likely if it’s their owner, suggesting empathy. They also respond to the sound of human crying with the same part of their brain that responds to a dog whining.
10. Dogs Can Be Left or Right Handed
In humans, the statistics are roughly 90% right handed with the rest left handed and a very small percentage ambidextrous. In dogs it’s much closer, with around a third right pawed, a third left pawed and a third ambidextrous. Right pawed dogs are more likely to become guide dogs that left pawed as right pawed animals tend to be more inquisitive and confident. Left pawed dogs tend to be more aggressive.