Dogs are remarkable creatures with skills and abilities that make them worth their weight in gold. From their loyalty and determination to their “sixth sense,” there is no doubt that dogs are beloved and popular pets worldwide. Learn some of the facts below to see how these charming creatures function as man’s best friend.

Dog Facts

  • Many dogs are known to be dauntless workers and guides that have achieved impressive feats in the line of duty. A German Shepherd once led her blind master through the Appalachian Trail; crossing a distance of 2100 miles in total.
  • Canine sensory receptacles are far more sensitive than that of humans. Their scent ability is said to be over 100,000 times sharper than a human’s.
  • Human hearts beat an average of 80 beats per minute, while canine hearts can beat up to 120 times.  A dog’s average body temperature is higher than humans, running about 101 degrees.
  • Dogs have sweat glands only in their paw pads, which is the reason they pant when overheated.
  • In one identification aspect, dogs are very similar to humans: Though they do not have fingerprints the way we do, each dog nose is unique and has distinctly a different print than any other dog.
  • The Lundehune dog has six toes on each foot, and is able to close his ears, the way other dogs close their eyes.
  • Bloodhounds have the unique skill of being able to identify multiple different scents simultaneously.
  • The phrase “It’s raining cats and dogs” is believed to have been popularized in the UK during the 1600’s when a particular season of torrential rainfall drowned numerous dogs and cats.
  • Dogs have historically been used as fighters.  In Ancient Rome, they would suit up in armor and be commanded to hunt down opposing riders.  Tragically, Russia employed dogs to carryout suicide missions by running into camps and battles with mines harnessed to their backs.
  • Dogs are often regarded as family members, in that 70% of people sign their dog’s name and include them in the family portrait on holiday cards. An estimated 1 million people in American name their dogs as one of the main beneficiaries in their will.
  • Dogs cause roughly 15 deaths per year in America. In the year 2002, more people were killed by dog bites than by shark attacks in the last century.
  • America has the highest population of dogs in the world; France surprisingly comes in second.
  • The Grey Hound can run up to 45 miles an hour, making it the fastest dog breed on earth.
  • The largest breed is the Irish Wolfhound, and the smallest is the Chihuahua.  The heaviest dog on record was a St. Bernard named Benedictine, who is said to have weighed 366 pounds.
  • There are currently 703 recognized purebred dog breeds. The most intelligent dog breeds are the Border Collie, Poodle, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever. The least intelligent dog is believed to be the Afghan Hound.
  • All canines have the same anatomical structure, no matter the breed. Each dog has 321 bones and 42 adult teeth.
  • Dogs with longer noses have far more effective internal cooling systems than short-muzzled breeds.
  • Police Dogs “Rocky” and “Barko” were such successful border patrol dogs that several Mexican drug lords put a bounty of $300,000 on their heads.
  • Not all dogs can swim:  Basset Hounds, Maltese, Bulldogs would sink as they are unable to support themselves adequately enough to swim well in water.
  • Labrador Retrievers continually rank as the most popular breed in all of North America, as well as the United Kingdom.