Did you know: Dogs have 3 eyelids!
That's right, they have 3 eyelids. They have the obvious upper and lower eyelid like we do, as well as a 3rd eyelid on the very inside of their eye that is also known as the nictitating membrane.
The 3rd eyelid serves many purposes. It helps to clear debris off of the cornea, acts as a shield to protect the cornea from trauma, it produces tears which helps keep the dog's eye lubricated, and contains lymphoid tissue which acts as a lymph node and produces antibodies to fight infection.
Source (Image): Merck Manual
Did you know?
The Labrador Retriever has been on the American Kennel Clubs top 10 most popular breeds list for 25 consecutive years! This is longer than any other breed.
This is likely due to the fact that they are such a wonderful dog breed, some of their top qualities include:
Did you know: Dogs kick after going to the bathroom because they are using scent glands on their paws to further mark their territory. Dogs have glands on their feet which are designed for secreting pheromones, and the backward kicking motion is a way of releasing those pheromones. They just want to make sure that the next pup who stops by, knows exactly who was there first!
This habit or behavior stemmed from wild dogs. It was a way for them to let other dogs know about their presence, size, and strength.
Source (Image): German Shepherd Dog Rescue
Fun Fact: dogs instinctively bury toys, chews, and bones because it used to be the only way to protect their belongings from other animals in the wild. Primal instincts, right?
A very long time ago when dog's were wild and roamed in packs, it was their job to find their own food - like every other animal. This wasn't always an easy task, often placing the pack under great physical stress and with inconsistent food sources. In order to ensure that what they found (carcasses/bones) would be kept in a safe place for future feedings, they would bury them deep into the dirt. By doing so, the dirt kept other animals from finding the remains of their food.
Instinctually - not because they are hungry as domesticated puppies - they feel the need to hide some of their favorite things or extra food (like treats) for later. This is especially true when it comes to a favorite bone.
If you are a busy pet parent and sometimes fall short of play time with your pup, you may find household items that you use on a daily basis go missing. Some dogs hide or bury shoes, tv remotes, and personal belongings as a way to beg for attention or play time. After all, our furry friends are all about game playing!
Source (Image): Dig Clip Art
Fun Fact: a dog's nose print works the same way a human fingerprint does! You know how fingerprints are encoded with individual patterns which are used for identification purposes? Dog's noses are the same!
Each dog's nose creates a unique pattern when used as a print. The little lines on the dog's nose form a unique, individual pattern - just the way a human fingerprint does.
Some facilities use dog nose prints to identify dogs, since they have proven to be the most effective form of identification. For example, the Canadian Kennel Club has been using dog nose prints as proof of identity since 1938.
As most of us know and have experienced, dogs tags can be easily lost or stolen. Microchipping is another reliable way of identifying dogs, although not every pet owner agrees with this method. Whatever your method, make sure you have a means of identifying your dog!
Source (Image): Etsy
Fun Fact: Puppies have 28 baby teeth and adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth.
Puppies have a total of 28 baby teeth. There are 14 in the lower jaw and 14 in the upper jaw. These teeth start to appear in the puppies mouth around a month of age. They usually lose these teeth as the permanent ones emerge.
Adult dogs have a total of 42 permanent teeth. There are 22 in the lower jaw and 20 in the upper jaw. Just like people, sometimes dogs can get extra permanent teeth that grow in or baby teeth that do not fall out.
It is extremely important that we take care of our dog's dental health, it is as important as ours. Gum disease is the number 1 diagnosed condition in dogs and cats. 80% of dogs by the age of 2 have some sort of dental disease. Most people believe that there is nothing wrong with their dog's mouth because they don't show symptoms. Advanced dental disease can affect our dog's internal organ function. It is important to take your dog's dental health seriously.
Daily tooth brushing, regular veterinary examinations, high-quality diet, dental appropriate toys, and treats are all ways to ensure you are doing your part in maintaining your dog's dental health. At Bullwrinkles we carry a number dog bones, treats, and chews with dental benefits.
Source (Image): Metamorphic papillons
Fun Fact: A dog's sense of hearing is 4 times greater than humans!
Aside from a dog's super-smell power, hearing is their second most powerful sense. Dogs have a frequency range that is double that of the human ear. That is why we notice our dogs being alert to sound seconds or even minutes before you can hear the same sound. On the downside, loud and abrupt noises that may be totally normal to our ears can prove to be very uncomfortable to our canine companions. A lot of dogs grow super agitated and timid during thunderstorms - and this is why.
Dogs have roughly 18 working muscles in their ear allowing them to rotate, raise, lower and tilt them in many different directions. They are able to move their ears around with a tremendous level of flexibility, playing a huge role in their ability to focus on exactly where a specific noise is coming from.
Unlike humans, dogs also have the ability to hear two different sounds at one time, one sound in each ear. So the next time you think your pup is ignoring you, remember that they are probably listening to you and another sound, they are just more interested in what they are hearing with the other ear.
Source (Image): Bright Mags
