20 bitesized dog facts

Because it's always time for an interesting dog fact...

1. Domestication: Dogs were one of the first animals to be domesticated by humans, with evidence suggesting this occurred between 20,000 and 40,000 years ago.
   

2. Diverse Breeds: There are over 340 different dog breeds worldwide.
   

3. Super Senses: Dogs have an incredible sense of smell. Their noses have around 300 million scent receptors, compared to about 5-6 million in humans.
   

4. Exceptional Hearing: Dogs can hear sounds at frequencies as high as 65,000 Hz, while humans can only hear up to 20,000 Hz. This keen sense of hearing allows them to detect sounds beyond human perception.
   

5. Puppies Have Baby Teeth: Just like humans, puppies are born with baby teeth, which eventually fall out to make way for their adult teeth.
   

6. Unique Nose Prints: Just like human fingerprints, each dog's nose print is unique. It can be used to identify them.
   

7. Dogs Dream: Studies have shown that dogs experience similar sleep patterns to humans and often dream during the REM (rapid eye movement) phase of sleep.
   

8. The intelligence of dogs can vary greatly between breeds. Border Collies, Poodles, and German Shepherds are known for their high intelligence and problem-solving abilities.
   

9. Communication: Dogs communicate with each other and with humans through a combination of vocalisations, body language, and facial expressions. They can also understand many human cues.
   

10. Sense of Time: Dogs have a sense of time and can often predict their owners' return home. This ability is believed to be related to their acute senses and routine-based behaviour.
    

11. Wolves' Ancestors: Dogs share a common ancestor with grey wolves. Despite their close genetic relationship, domesticated dogs have evolved to exhibit a wide range of behaviours and appearances.
    

12. Dog Whiskers: Whiskers on a dog's face are highly sensitive and help them navigate their environment and detect changes in air pressure and movements around them.
    

13. Dogs Sweat Through Paws: Dogs primarily regulate their body temperature through panting, but they also sweat through their paw pads to some extent.
    

14. Canine Heroes: Dogs have been used in various heroic roles, such as search and rescue, police work, and as service dogs for people with disabilities. Their loyalty, intelligence, and training make them ideal for these tasks.
    

15. Olfactory Abilities: Dogs have been trained to detect various medical conditions like seizures, low blood sugar, and certain types of cancer due to their incredible sense of smell.
    

16. Age in Dog Years: The common belief that one dog year is equivalent to seven human years is not entirely accurate. A more accurate calculation varies depending on the dog's size and breed.
    

17. Ancient Companions: Archaeological evidence suggests that dogs have been living alongside humans for thousands of years, serving as hunting partners, guards, and loyal companions.
    

18. Dogs Understand Human Emotions: Research has shown that dogs can read and respond to human emotions, often providing comfort and companionship in times of distress.
    

19. Sense of Direction: Dogs have a remarkable ability to navigate and find their way home over long distances, a behavior known as "homing instinct."
    

20. Unique Vocalisations: Each dog has its own unique bark or vocalisation pattern, allowing owners to distinguish their dog's voice from others.