Dogs were first domesticated around 40,000 years ago in Asia and have evolved to become an integral part of many societies around the world. We don’t think twice when we see a dog out and about, because they are so commonplace, and we’ve harnessed their unique abilities to perform jobs we could never do ourselves. The Stanton Pet Hospital team feels lucky to work daily with these extraordinary creatures. We explore fascinating facts about dogs that will deepen your appreciation for these incredible creatures.

1: Dogs are incredibly diverse

The domestic dog is a single species that is closely related to wolves and foxes. However, that species is extremely diverse, with more than 300 worldwide dog breeds that range in size and shape from the tiny Chihuahua to the massive Great Dane. Between head shape, body type, temperament, and coat variations, dogs are the most diverse mammals on earth.

2: Dogs have an outstanding sense of smell

A dog’s olfactory abilities outpace a human’s by a staggering multiplier—the canine sense of smell is between 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive and their brains have larger areas dedicated to processing smells. Humans take advantage of this superpower, putting dogs to work to sniff out everything from bombs and drugs to cancer and diabetes.

3: Dogs use their bodies to communicate

A dog’s tail seems to have a mind of its own, wagging every which way, which we see as a sign of happiness. But, tail wagging and other body language cues are more complex than they seem. Subtle variations in tail height and speed can indicate a variety of emotions and intentions, as can changes in facial expressions, body carriage, and gaze.

4: Dogs have unique nose prints

Each human has a unique fingerprint. But, dogs don’t have fingers and instead have unique nose prints, which some pet owners feature in keepsake jewelry or other memorabilia.

5: Dogs have dreams

Most dog owners have witnessed their pets twitching and vocalizing in their sleep and wondered if dogs dream. Studies show that dogs experience rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is when most dreams occur. So, dogs likely dream similarly to humans, and can also develop REM-related sleep disorders like humans.

6: Dogs have impressive physical abilities

Dogs are built for speed, agility, and athleticism, albeit some breeds more than others. Strong muscles make for impressive physical abilities, leading humans to create an entire industry around dog sports and competition. Most of the record-breaking physical feats that dogs have achieved have been by the heavily muscled speed demons of the dog world—greyhounds and whippets—who can run up to 45 miles per hour.

7: Dogs can have jobs

Dogs have served humans in various roles throughout history, including search and rescue, police work, and military service. Before Balto was a movie, it was the true story of a dog who helped deliver life-saving medicine to children via dog sled when no other transportation methods were viable. Many dog breeds are designed to accomplish certain functions, such as herding, hunting, nose work, ratting, or protection.

8: Dogs are emotionally intelligent

Dogs are highly attuned to human emotions and can read human facial expressions with ease. Dogs easily sense changes in our moods and constantly watch us to learn how those moods affect our behavior. This explains why some dogs appear guilty after behaving badly—they don’t experience guilt over doing the wrong thing, but they are submissive and appeasing, because they can tell their human is upset.

Dogs have captured human hearts for generations, because of their intelligence, loyalty, and deep connections with us and our emotions. Dogs enable people with disabilities to live normal lives, provide comfort and companionship during the darkest of times, and show us how to live our lives to the fullest.

Your amazing pet deserves the best veterinary care—contact the Stanton Pet Hospital team to schedule a routine wellness check-up and learn more about keeping them happy and healthy.