It is very difficult to answer the question of how many pet dogs live in families around the world. It is not possible to count them. Dogs need care: they need to be fed, treated, walked, trained. It takes a lot of time and finances, but most people all early prefer dogs rather than fish or rats.
However, there is nothing to be surprised at. In return, these animals give a lot of positive emotions. Dogs are the most faithful and faithful friends. Most owners are confident: they know absolutely everything about their pets.
If you also have this beautiful animal, or you just love to learn something new, pay attention to our article. Below is a ranking of the most interesting and amazing facts about dogs.
10. In the dark, dogs see better than in daylight
According to scientists, dogs are transient animals. They are one of those lucky people who see equally well day and night.. In the dark, their vision will exceed human by 3-4 times. This is due to the special structure of the retina. This fact can also be explained in terms of evolution. Dogs are predatory animals; in the wild they hunt mainly at night.
A few more factors affect the animal’s ability to see. Dogs better distinguish between moving objects. Not the last role is played by the sense of smell. The dog has another "secret weapon" that helps her see at night - a mustache. They help the beast determine the approach of danger or prey.
9. Significantly different from each other depending on the breed
Of course, this is not about differences in the appearance of animals. It turns out the nature and behavior of the dog is largely dependent on its affiliation with a particular breed.
A group of neuroscientists from Harvard was studying this issue. As a result of the study, they found that there are large differences between brain anatomy. If you do not go into details, we can conclude that each breed has its own focus (hunting, protection).
True, some scientists consider the study unreliable, since most modern dogs live in apartments or houses and lead a completely different lifestyle than their predecessors.
8. The print of a nose is unique, as fingerprints of people
Each dog has its own imprint of the nose. This pattern is individual and must not be confused with that of another animal..
An artificial intelligence developer from China recently became interested in this issue. The company has created a program for a smartphone ("Megvii"), with which you can recognize the animal. This application will be very useful if the pet is lost.
Chinese developers say that it can also be used in case of problems. For example, if the owner walks the dog without a muzzle. Based on this information they plan to make ratings "uncivilized content»Animals.
7. Can determine a person's various diseases
This fact may seem fantastic, but it really is. Dogs sense of smell through human smell. Scientists say that the animal can be trained to detect cancer and other serious diseases.
Dogs can anticipate an epileptic seizure 45 minutes before it begins. Also, furry friends are able to “smell” the feelings and emotions of their owners by smell.
6. Nose - cooling system
Dog owners should be aware that their pets can only sweat through their nose and paw pads. There are special glands in the nose. They release moisture, when breathing, it evaporates, the mucous membranes of the animal are cooled.
The cooling system of dogs with a long nose works much more efficiently than bulldogs, pugs, etc. That is why representatives of such breeds have problems in the cooling process. They are difficult to tolerate heat and physical exertion. If we consider this feature of the point of view of anatomy, such animals have an anomaly in the structure of the skull, which appeared as a result of selective work, and is now inherited.
5. Have dreams
Dog owners often notice that their pets pull their paws, growl and even try to bite someone in a dream. It can be concluded that they can also "enjoy" dreams.
Biologists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducted a series of studies of the brain of dogs and proved that it is similar to the human brain.
Another, no less interesting question: what do they dream about? Scientists tried to answer him. They believe that dogs see in a dream the events that happened to them in real life, and they also often dream of owners. It remains to take their word for it.
4. Great Dane - the highest breed
Great Dane called "Apollos of dogs". These are graceful and stately animals. Height can reach 90 cm, weight - varies from 60 to 90 kg, depending on gender and hereditary characteristics. Despite their formidable appearance, the Great Dane are quite calm animals. They are confident, friendly, restrained.
Interesting fact: the tallest dog in the world Giant George, just a representative of this breed. The animal lived in the city of Tucson. His height was 1.1 m, weight - 110 kg. When the dog stood on its hind legs, it was much higher than its owner - 2.2 meters. This dog looked more like a giant horse. Unfortunately, George did not live long in this world, he died at the age of 7 years.
3. Dogs in space
The Americans sent monkeys into space, and in the Soviet Union this mission was entrusted to dogs. In 1957, 12 animals were selected for this purpose. The first dog to be in space was the homeless Albina. She flew half the orbit and was able to return to Earth alive and unharmed.
The fate of her follower Laika was tragic, she died a painful death. Another "space conqueror" Mucha was blown up, as the rocket lost control and the Soviet people were afraid that it would fall in the territory of another country.
The first animals to make an orbital space flight were the famous Belka and Strelka. Its duration was 25 hours. The dogs managed to return to Earth, they lived to a very old age. Now their stuffed animals can be seen in the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics.
2. Mental abilities at the intelligence level of a two-year-old child
Scientists have found that the level of development of the dog corresponds to the level of development of the child 2 - 2.5 years. An animal knows up to 165 words, can count to 5. In their opinion, it is easy to find a common language with a dog if you talk to it like a little child.
1. Average life expectancy of 8 to 15 years
Regrettably it may sound, but the dog's lifespan is much shorter than that of humans. It depends on the breed of the animal and on the conditions of detention. If you have chosen an English mastiff, a dogue de Bordeaux or a Newfoundland, prepare for the fact that the animal is unlikely to live up to 10 years. There are long-lived breeds: dachshund, husky, chihuahua and others.
Of course, each case is individual, but the dog owner must remember - the life of the pet is in his hands. High-quality food, walks, regular trips to the veterinarian - if you follow all these conditions, you can extend the life of your pet as much as possible.