There are many little-known facts about dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). Following are 24 rare informational facts about dogs:
Little-Known Dog Facts
- Dogs are descended from wolves.
- The normal body temperature of dogs is 101.5°F. They regulate their body temperature by panting.
- Dogs have 231 bones and 42 permanent teeth.
- Dogs are prone to tuberculosis.
- Similar to humans, dogs tend to have a dominant hand they usually use when one one hand is needed.
- Chocolate is toxic for dogs.
- There are seven types of blood group in canines.
- The average life span of dogs varies from 8 to 15 years.
- The sweat glands in dogs are located between their paw pads.
- Dogs mature at the age of approximately 6 months.
- The normal gestation period of canines varies from 60 to 65 days.
- Dogs' respiratory rates and heart rates vary from 10 to 30 breaths/minute and 70 to 120 beats/minute, respectively.
- Dogs have night vision as the number of rod cells in their eyes is greater than that of cone cells.
- Dogs can be identified by their nose prints.
- Dalmatians develop black spots only after they grow older. The puppies are pure white in color.
- Laika (named after the dog's Russian breed; literal meaning: "Barker") is the first dog to travel to outer space.
- Saluki is the oldest breed of dog.
- Lhasa Apso guarded Tibetan temples.
- Pekingese, the royal dog of China, was once considered to be sacred; common men could not own this breed.
Little-Known Puppy Facts
- Newborn puppies are blind, deaf and toothless.
- In dogs, bladder control is attained 4 months after birth.
- In the first week after birth, puppies spend almost 90% of their time sleeping and the rest of the time feeding. Later, they sleep for at least 12 to 14 hours a day.
- The canine achieves his sense of smell only 3 weeks after birth.
- The first teeth (milk teeth) appear between 3 and 7 weeks of age, and the adult teeth (permanent teeth) appear after four months.