Interesting Facts About Dogs

Aside from being man's (and woman's) best friend there are probably some things you don't know about the wonderful world of canine companions. Read on to learn a few interesting facts about dogs.

Dogs were one of the first domesticated animals.

Dogs are pack animals by nature and enjoy companionship. 

A dog's average lifespan is 8 to 15 years.

Rin Tin Tin was America's first canine movie star.

A dog can hear sounds from 250 yards away.

Greyhounds can run at a speed of 45 miles per hour.

A dog's body contains 321 bones.

A dog has forty-two teeth.

A dog's normal temperature is 101.2 degrees.

Dogs are direct descendants of wolves.

Female dogs bite more often than male dogs.

The tallest dogs are the Irish Wolfhound and the Great Dane.

Smaller dog breeds mature earlier than larger breeds.

Puppies can't control their bladders until they are at least four months old.

The Basenji is the only barkless dog in the world.

Dogs sweat through the pads on their feet.

Dogs see in color though not in as vivid hues or with as vibrant a spectrum as humans.

The smallest breed of dog is the Chihuahua.

The St. Bernard is the heaviest breed of dog.

Smaller dog breeds tend to have a longer lifespan than larger dog breeds.

Although portrayed as a female dog all of the dogs that played Lassie in the television series were male.

There are 701 dog breeds.

Dalmatian puppies are born without spots. The spots appear later as they mature.

Hopefully you've learned something about dogs that you didn't know. We all know that dogs are faithful companions to many people. They are intelligent and loving animals. Dogs that grow up with children are very protective of them. They watch over their human families. Dogs are trained to lead the blind and assist the handicapped. Dogs have been known to rescue humans. Dogs are trained to help law enforcement officials. Dogs even serve as ambassadors of goodwill by cheering the elderly in nursing homes.

Dogs are the perfect animal companions. They walk by our side, run with us and even ride with us in our cars. It is no wonder that dogs were one of the first domesticated animals. They have