Dogs make great additions to families, especially those with children. In this article, our San Diego vets share some fun facts about dogs to interest your kids.
Facts About Dogs for Kids
Here are some facts about canine anatomy to share with kids!
- Dogs are omnivores, which means they don't just benefit from meat in their diet, but also other forms of protein and some vegetables.
- Contrary to what many believe, dogs can see color, but not as vividly as their human friends.
- Obesity is the number one health problem dogs deal with.
- Dogs’ sense of smell is around anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times better than ours. Their outstanding sense of smell means they are excellent working dogs and are often used in airports and other environments to sniff out illegal items such as drugs or bombs. Each dog’s nose print is also similar to our fingerprint - one of a kind.
- Dogs’ sense of hearing is also amazing - they are great guard dogs because they can hear sounds at high frequencies that humans can’t.
- Dogs only have sweat glands between their toes, which means they alleviate body heat by panting, drinking cool water, and staying in the shade.
- Communication
- Dogs can’t talk, but they communicate with us humans with different techniques. If your dog positions her body a specific way, makes interesting facial expressions, bares her teeth, barks, or marks her scent, you can be sure she’s trying to tell you (or other animals) something!
- Dogs wag their tails to the right when they’re happy, and to the left when they’re frightened.
Language
Dog - the English word for our canine friends - originated from the Middle English 'dogge', which stemmed from Old English 'docga', meaning 'a powerful dog breed'.
The Origin of Domesticated Dogs
Throughout the last several thousand years, we’ve gradually domesticated dogs into the friendly companions we know and love today. For about 12,000 years, people have been keeping dogs as pets.
Popular Dog Breeds
192 different dog breeds are officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. Whether you’re thinking of getting a miniature dachshund or a large energetic Samoyed, you’ll be sure to find a breed you love!
The Labrador Retriever is America’s most popular breed and has kept the coveted spot at the top of the list since the 1990s. Their intelligent, playful nature makes them great pets. They can also serve as working, therapy, or guide dogs.
The German Shepherd and Golden Retriever round out the country’s 3 most popular breeds.