7 Mind-Blowing Dog Facts
Reckon you already know everything there is to know about our canine pals? Check out these seven paw-some facts that are probably still gonna blow your mind.
1. No two dogs share the same nose print.
Yes, you read that right. Just like how no two human fingerprints are the same, a dog's nose print is unique to them and can even be used as an identification tag to distinguish one canine from another.
In fact, several places in the United States are already accepting dog nose prints as proof of identity for lost dogs. The general consensus is that nose printing is more reliable than other modes of identity match such as dog tags.
2. Our canines actually have a sense of time.
My dog used to wake me up at 3 am every morning and for the longest time I wondered if it was mere coincidence. Well, it turns out that our dogs do have an internal clock!?
These intelligent peeps are highly attuned to our routines and can perceive the general passage of time as daylight fades to darkness. So the next time you try to wriggle your way out of walking them, just know that your dog is well aware that it's walk time and she knows you're procrastinating!
3. Their whiskers essentially provide them with night vision.
Did you know your dog's whiskers are as sensitive to touch as your fingertips?
The follicles at the base of your dog's whiskers are packed with sensory nerves that can pick up even subtle changes in air currents or temperature. These highly-tuned, multi-functional tactile hairs provide essential information on the size, shape and even speed of nearby objects – which is why dogs can hunt in the dark and still keep themselves from crashing into furniture (unless they are particularly clumsy).
4. Dogs are red-green colorblind.
Contemplating whether to get a red ball or green ball for your dog?
The honest truth is that they probably look the same to him. Dogs are dichromatic, which means they only have two color sensitive cone cells in their retina (yellow and blue) and are likely to struggle when it comes to locating a red ball on a patch of green grass. If you're planning to use the toy outdoors, blue might actually be a better option!
5. They have three eyelids.
Surprise, surprise. But aside from the upper and lower lids, dogs actually have a third lid called the nictitating membrane that serves the purpose of keeping their eye lubricated and protected.
And no, we are not mistaken about this. All dogs are born with an ‘invisible’ third eyelid that surfaces only in the presence of underlying health issues such as eye trauma or infection. And intriguing as it may be, we urge you to seek immediate veterinary attention for your canine at the first sight of this ‘cherry eye’.
6. Dogs can smell your feelings.
Have a pal that always knows when you're feeling the blues? Don't underestimate the olfactory system.
We're rarely honest with our own feelings, but dogs can actually pick up subtle changes in our scents and attune themselves to our emotions and mood. When you smell ‘happy', your dog is more likely to appear relaxed, while the scent of ?fear' makes them stressed.?
Did You Know? On a deeper level, we actually share a similar chromosome with our furry pals that dictates our social behavior and interaction!
7. The Basenji is the world's only barkless-dog.
Have you ever met a dog that can't bark?
Meet the Basenji! Due to their narrow larynxes, these sweet-aced dogs are unable to bark like other canines -but that doesn't mean they are quiet dogs. When a Basenji opens his mouth, you can expect a variety of strange but endearing vocalisations that is affectionately described as ‘yodeling'. Can't imagine? Just listen to him here!
So that was Fun Fact #7 and we've officially come to the end of this odd list of dog facts! We hope you've learnt something new about these incredible companions today. ;)
