September 24th marks the beginning of National Dog Week and the start of a new school year. It’s a time of learning and trying something new. Did you know that 78 million dogs are owned in the United States alone? People sure do love dogs! While we all know how adorable, loyal and caring dogs are, below are a few fun and interesting facts you may not have known about our adorable pups!

 

  1. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a cattle herding dog breed which originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales and the word “corgi” is Welsh for “dwarf dog.”

 

  1. Ever wonder why your dog curls up in a tight little ball to sleep? Turns out it’s an age-old instinct to keep themselves warm and to protect vital organs while they sleep!

 

  1. Dogs are known for barking, right? Well, did you know there’s one breed that doesn’t bark – that’s right! The basenji is the only breed of dog that can’t bark, but they can yodel! Some believe the Basenji is the oldest dog breed in the world.

 

  1. Smell that? Maybe you don’t but your dog does! A dog’s’ sense of smell is 10,000 times stronger than ours!

 

  1. The Norwegian Lundehund is the only dog that has six toes on each foot!

 

  1. Did you know dalmatian puppies are born completely white and develop their spots over time? It’s true!

 

  1. Ever wonder why your dog’s paws smell like corn chips? Weird, I know! But it’s most likely because dogs only have sweat glands in their feet! That smell is their natural body odor. This is why it’s also important to protect their paws always, but especially in hot weather!

 

  1. Dogs and humans have the same type of slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) and during this REM stage dogs can dream. The twitching and paw movements that occur during their sleep are actually signs that your pet is dreaming!

 

  1. Did you know dogs have three eyelids? An upper lid, a lower lid and the third lid, called a nictitating membrane or “haw,” which helps keep the eye moist and protected.

 

  1. Dogs have about 1,700 taste buds while humans have approximately 9,000. Cats have around 473.

 

  1. Ever wonder why your dog kicks after going to the bathroom? It’s because they are using the scent glands on their paws to further mark their territory!

 

Dogs are wonderful, curious, kind animals and we’d love to meet yours! Bring them in for a nice grooming and shampoodle today!