10 Hidden Fun Facts about Dogs

 

Do you think that you know all about amazing and captivating fun facts about dogs? Check out this list of 10 hidden fun facts about dogs and test your knowledge! 

1. Trained to Detect Cancer in Humans
2. Puppies Grow Half of Their Body Weight in 4-5 Months
3. Dogs have Three Eyelids
4. Obesity – the Number One Health Problem in Dogs
5. Dogs have A Unique Way of Sweating
6. Dog’s Nose Print is Quite Similaras Human’s Fingerprint
7. Dogs are Incredible Swimmers
8. Dogs are not Color-blind
9. All Puppies are Born Deaf
10. Dogs have About 1,700 Taste Buds

 

1. Trained to Detect Cancer in Humans

One of the amazing fun facts about dogs is that they have an unbelievably developed sense of smell, with up to 300 million olfactory receptors (compared to only 6 million in humans). This allows them to detect subtle changes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted detected by trained dogs. These VOCs are present in the cell. Cancer cells produce unique VOCs due to their altered metabolism, which can be

• Breath
• Urine
• Stool
• Skin
• Blood

Types of cancer detectable by dogs

Trained dogs have been able to detect various types of cancer, including:

• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Liver cancer
• Stomach cancer

You might be astonished at how dogs can detect cancer in humans.

Training dogs to detect cancer involves:

• Scent collection: Samples are collected from patients with confirmed cancer diagnoses.
• Scent presentation: Dogs are presented with the collected scents and taught to associate them with rewards.
• Training sessions: Dogs undergo repeated training sessions to refine their detection skills.
• Validation: Dogs’ accuracy is validated through controlled studies.

 

2. Puppies Grow Half of Their Body Weight in 4-5 Months

It is amazing that Puppies grow 50 % of their body weight in 4 – 5 months due to the following factors:

Biological Factors:

• Genetic Programming: Puppies are designed to grow quickly to reach adulthood and reproduce.
• Hormonal Regulation: Growth hormone, thyroid hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) regulate growth.

Nutritional Factors:

• Mother’s Milk: Rich in nutrients, protein, and fat for optimal growth.
• Efficient Digestion: Puppies’ digestive systems absorb nutrients efficiently.

Physiological Factors:

• Rapid Organ Development: Organs like the brain, liver, and kidneys mature quickly.
• Skeletal Growth: Bones grow rapidly, allowing puppies to support increasing body weight.
• Muscle Development: Muscles grow to support movement and activity.

Growth Hormone Regulation:

• Prenatal Growth: Growth hormone regulates fetal development.
• Postnatal Growth: Growth hormone stimulates growth during puppyhood.
• Growth Plate Closure: Growth plates close as puppies reach physical maturity.

 

3. Dogs have Three Eyelids

Many dog owners are unaware of this interesting factoid, but did you really know that your four-legged friend had three eyelids?

They have their upper and lower eyelids, as well as a third hidden eyelid beneath them known as the nictitating membrane. This membrane has several functions, including clearing the cornea of any particles or debris, producing tears, and acting as a lymph node to battle any potential infections.

  

4. Obesity – the Number One Health Problem in Dogs

One of the hidden facts about dogs is that obesity is a significant health concern in dogs, affecting approximately 55% of dogs. Here’s why obesity is the number one health problem in dogs:

Causes of Canine Obesity:

• Overfeeding: Excessive calorie intake, especially from treats and table scraps.
• Lack of Exercise: Insufficient physical activity, leading to a sedentary lifestyle.
• Genetics: Certain breeds (e.g., Bulldogs, Pugs) are prone to obesity.
• Age: Middle-aged dogs (5-10 years) are more likely to become obese.
• Medical Conditions: Hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, and certain medications.

Health Risks Associated with Canine Obesity:

• Diabetes: Obese dogs are more likely to develop insulin resistance and diabetes.
• Arthritis: Excess weight puts additional stress on joints, exacerbating arthritis.
• Heart Disease: Obesity increases the risk of heart disease and congestive heart failure.
• Respiratory Problems: Obese dogs may experience breathing difficulties.
• Cancer: Obesity is linked to increased cancer risk in dogs.
• Orthopedic Issues: Obesity contributes to cruciate ligament injuries and osteoarthritis.
• Reduced Life Expectancy: Obese dogs may live 1-3 years less than healthy-weight dogs.

Breed-Specific Obesity Risks:

• Bulldogs: 73% obesity rate
• Pugs: 64%
• Beagles: 55%
• Labrador Retrievers: 45%
• German Shepherds: 35%

Treatment Options:

• Weight Loss Plans: Veterinarian-guided weight loss programs.
• Diet Changes: Transitioning to weight management foods.
• Exercise Programs: Gradual increase in physical activity.
• Medications: In some cases, medications may be recommended.

 

5. Dogs have A Unique Way of Sweating

Dogs regulate their body temperature by puffing and panting. On a hot day or after a vigorous game of fetch, panting and maybe resting in a shaded area helps your dog take a minute to cool off.  

Dogs also sweat, but not in the same way humans do. While you’ll never need to help your dog wipe the sweat from their brow, dogs do sweat through their paws.  Yes, that’s right, dogs have two types of glands merocrine and apocrine. Merocrine glands found within dogs’ paw pads are responsible for activating sweat to help your dog stay cool on hot days or during physical exertion. Apocrine glands release pheromones which are technically considered sweat glands, and give each dog their unique scent to allow other dogs to identify them.

 

6. Dog’s Nose Print is Quite Similaras Human’s Fingerprint

It’s a weird and amazing fact that each dog’s nose print is unique, just like fingerprints are unique to people.

 

7. Dogs are Incredible Swimmers

Some dogs are natural swimmers because of their physical characteristics and breed history. 

• Webbed feet: help dogs maintain stability and power in the water
• Water-resistant coats: keep dogs warm and prevent water from touching their skin
• Strong, muscular builds: help dogs propel through the water
• Long legs: help dogs dog paddle more easily
• Breed history: some breeds, like the Newfoundland, Labrador Retriever, and Portuguese Water Dog, were originally bred for water-related tasks

 

8. Dogs are not Color-blind

Many people believe dogs are colorblind but you might be surprised to know that it’s not true. Although the vast spectrum of colors that human beings enjoy goes well beyond what a dog can see, they do see certain colors.  In the case of dogs, their retinas only contain the types of cones in their retinas responsible for seeing the colors blue and yellow. Don’t feel too bad for your dog, however.  

Although the range of colors they can see is limited, dogs have an advantage over people when it comes to how many rods they have in their retinas. This means they are far more adept than we are at seeing in dark conditions.  

 

9. All Puppies are Born Deaf

It’s worth noting that all puppies are born deaf because their auditory system develops gradually after birth. Here’s why:

Fetal Development:

• Ear formation: Ears begin forming around day 10-12 of gestation.
• Auditory system: The auditory system develops from the ectoderm layer, which also forms skin and the nervous system.
• Inner ear formation: The inner ear forms before the outer ear.

Why Puppies Are Born Deaf?

Auditory canal closure: The auditory canal is closed at birth, preventing sound waves from reaching the eardrum.

• Eardrum development: The eardrum (tympanic membrane) is thin and fragile at birth.
• Cochlea immaturity: The cochlea, responsible for sound processing, is underdeveloped.
• Neural connections: Connections between the auditory nerve and the brain aren’t fully established.

Timeline of Hearing Development:

• Birth-10 days: Puppies are completely deaf.
• 10-14 days: Auditory canal opens, and puppies start detecting vibrations.
• 2-3 weeks: Puppies begin to respond to loud sounds.
• 4-5 weeks: Hearing improves, and puppies respond to softer sounds.
• 6-8 weeks: Hearing is fully developed.

Factors Influencing Hearing Development:

• Genetics: Breed-specific traits and genetic predispositions.
• Environmental factors: In utero exposure to sounds, maternal nutrition.
• Health conditions: Congenital deafness or hearing loss due to infections.

Interesting Facts:

• Puppies can detect vibrations before hearing sounds.
• Newborn puppies have a limited range of hearing (20-40 kHz).
• Adult dogs can hear sounds up to 45 kHz.

 

10. Dogs have About 1,700 Taste Buds

Some interesting facts about dog’s taste buds include:

Taste Bud Structure

• Dogs have 1,700 taste buds (humans: 9,000).
• Taste buds are located on the tongue, lips, and palate.
• Dog taste buds respond to chemical makeup, not flavor.

Types of Taste

• Dogs can detect:

1. Sweetness
2. Saltiness

• Sourness

1. Bitterness
2. Umami (meaty/savory)

• Dogs’ sense of taste prioritizes smell.

Smell-Taste Connection

• Dogs’ olfactory system influences taste perception.
• 80% of taste experience comes from smell.

Breed-Specific Taste

• Some breeds (e.g., Bloodhounds) have more taste buds.
• Breeds with shorter snouts (e.g., Pugs) have fewer taste buds.

Interesting Facts

• Dogs can detect water’s taste (humans can’t).
• Dogs’ taste buds regenerate every 1-2 weeks.
• Puppies develop taste preferences early.

 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, dogs are truly interesting creatures, with amazing abilities that continue to fascinate us. These 10 hidden fun facts about dogs, from their unique nose prints to their incredible sense of smell highlight that they are one of nature’s most remarkable creatures.