Fleet-Footed Fido
If you've ever seen a dog chase a cat, then you know dogs can run like the wind. But just how fast are they? Most domestic dogs are capable of reaching speeds of about nineteen miles per hour when running at full throttle, but the members of the greyhound family are the fastest; they're able to reach speeds of up to forty-four miles per hour.
Can You Hear Me?
A dog's hearing is superior to that of humans, especially for high-pitched sounds. Canines can hear sounds that are ultrasonic. If a dog suddenly pricks up its ears and becomes alert for no apparent reason, he might have detected bat or rodent sounds that are inaudible to us.
Top Dog
The Saint Bernard is the heaviest breed of dog,
followed by the English mastiff, Great Dane, Irish wolfhound, Tibetan mastiff and the Newfoundland.
Heroic Dog Turns the Tide of History
There are many stories about dogs who have heroically rescued their masters from perilous circumstances. But probably the incident with the most historical significance occurred in 1815, when Napoleon was returning to France after his exile on the island of Elba. As he paced the docks, waiting to be taken to the ship that would deliver him to the mainland, he slipped and fell into the sea. A Newfoundland on a nearby
boat leaped in after him, chomped down on his collar and towed him to safety.
Had this brave dog not acted so decisively, perhaps that would have been the end of Napoleon—and Waterloo, one of history's most famous battles, would never have taken place.
Dog Lover with a Big Heart—And a Lot of Extra Room
Dog lovers frequently own more than one dog, but the record for owning the most dogs belongs to the thirteenth-century emperor Kublai Khan, grandson
of Genghis Khan. He owned a grand total of five thousand mastiffs, give or take a few pups.
Dogs Take a Licking
Dogs have many curious habits. First among them has to be the tendency to lick their most private parts. Although it might seem perverse, it serves an important purpose. The dog's genitourinary tract will not function without the stimulation that comes from frequent licking.
Small Dogs Are Here to Stay
Small dogs live the longest. Toy breeds live up to sixteen years or more; larger dogs seven to nine years.
On average, a dog's life span is about twelve years, but advances in veterinary medicine have extended this estimate by about three years. However, some breeds, like the Tibetan terrier, live as long as twenty years.
Good Luck Dogs
In many cultures, dogs are considered powerful good-luck charms with the ability to ward off demons. In ancient China, for instance, the sentinels responsible for guarding the imperial court dressed in canine costumes and barked away evil spirits.
Is It Night Yet?
In ancient Rome, dusk had officially passed into night when one could no longer tell whether a canine in the distance was a dog or a wolf.
Feeding Tip
Dogs that are fed a regular diet of dried dog food are often thirstier than those fed canned or moist foods. This is not because dry dog food is saltier, but because there is less liquid in the dry vittles than in other forms of nourishment. So make sure that your dog has plenty of clean, fresh water.
Heel, Comrade!
In Russia, the most popular dog names are taken from the names of canines who have traveled into space. Ugoljok (Blackie) and Veterok (Breezy) are two of the most common monikers.
Why Do Dogs Howl?
City dogs are often left alone for long periods and howl because they are lonely. The purpose of the howl in the wild, however, is to gather the pack so that they can face impending danger together. The group howl is also a kind of tribal bonding experience.
Dogs and the Rain
Dogs often hesitate before venturing into the rain. It's not because they're afraid of getting wet, but because the rain amplifies sound and hurts their sensitive ears.
Porky Dogs
One dog in four is fat. These chubby canines fall into the same lifestyle pitfalls as their owners can—they eat too many snacks and high-fat foods, and don't exercise enough. This is undoubtedly a consequence of domestication. Obesity is unheard of in the wild. Overweight dogs are more likely to be ill and don't live as long as trim ones. Here's how to tell if your dog is a porker. Feel its ribs at about midchest level. Gently glide your fingers over this area of your dog's body. A thin layer of fat is normal. However, if you can't feel the ribs, your dog
is too fat. Check with your vet first, though, before putting your dog on a diet.
Work (Out) Like a Dog
Dogs need—and enjoy—exercise, especially if they're putting on the pounds. Experts recommend that dogs get regular exercise about three times a week, which should include walking or running. This will increase the metabolic rate of canines just as it does humans, allowing them to burn more calories and maintain a healthy weight.But don't overdo it. Dogs are so loyal they will run alongside their masters way past the healthy point. In fact, they'll run until they drop dead from exhaustion. So keep a look out for signs that your dog is tiring, such as excessive panting or salivating, a labored stride, a reluctance to continue, or sudden stopping. Some dogs get a glazed look in their eyes. For a greyhound, a mile is a piece of cake when they are fatigued; for a bulldog it's a long way. Be aware, then, of your dog's level of fitness so that you don't push beyond its limits. Be aware, too, that if your dog isn't exercised regularly, a vigorous workout might do him more harm than good. His lack of muscle tone can make him more prone to injury, especially in the knees and back. For a dog who is physically fit, the beach is a fun place for a run or a walk; but just make sure he doesn't drink the salt water (it'll cause diarrhea). And if you're up for a game of fetch, throw only soft Frisbees and balls to avoid damaging your dog's teeth.
Dogs in the Military
During World War I, Airedale terriers worked twelve hours a day on strict rations carrying messages to and from the front line.
It's a Bird, It's a Plane—No, It's an Airedale!
During World War II, dogs were once again conscripted into the military to do their part. Airedales, a breed of large terriers with a hard, wiry coat that is dark on the back and sides and tan elsewhere, were parachuted behind enemy lines by the British army to accompany raiding parties and to help spy missions.
The name 'Airedale,' however, derives not from their peculiar relationship with the air, but from the fact that they were bred about a hundred years ago in Yorkshire, England, in the valley of the Aire River. Airedales became paratroopers because they were inexpensive, faithful to those they knew, suspicious of strangers, and possessed good hearing and scenting skills.
A Dog's Nose Knows
The canine nose works 1 million times more efficiently than the human nose, but only for smells that are of doggie importance—like barbecued steaks and meatloaf. The fragrance of flowers, on the other hand, registers only faintly. Some dogs, however, have better noses than others. According to the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA), the ability to sniff out suitcases filled with drugs is more a matter of talent than innate ability. NAPWDA tests its dogs, and only those with the best performance scores are hired.
Why Do Dogs Pant?
Since they only have sweat glands on their feet, dogs cannot lose heat rapidly by perspiring from head to toe the way humans do. Instead, dogs 'sweat' by panting, which removes body heat by evaporation from the surface of the tongue. Dogs also pant when they are nervous or excited—a way for them to 'cool down.'
Don't Eat the Snow—Yellow or Otherwise
It's always fun to run and play with your dog in the snow, but eating snow, no matter how clean or pure, is not good for your dog. It causes spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to diarrhea, stomachaches and colds.
Why Does a Pointer Point?
This behavior comes from the wolf, of which the dog is a direct descendant. When the lead wolf in a pack smells its prey, it freezes and points itself in the direction of the scent. This gives the other members in the pack a chance to pick up the scent, too. There is a pause before they are all in unison; it is this wolf pause that the pointer dog is imitating.
Dogs Love to Be Loved
Studies show that a lovingly handled dog is a healthier dog. The touch of the human hand improves the function of virtually all of the sustaining systems: respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and so on, in newborn puppies. A frequently petted puppy is not only healthier and happier, but also better behaved.
Dogs, like humans, find solace in touching another living being, which is another reason why they get along so well together.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
Barking is often a canine alarm. Its purpose is to let people as well as other dogs know that something—whether that be an approaching intruder or a stray—is trying to encroach upon territory it regards as its own. In the wild, barking tells puppies to take cover and hide, and also alerts the other dogs in the pack to assemble for action. An out-and-out attack by a dog, however, is silent. Dogs also bark because they're bored, anxious or excited. Sometimes the reason is purely physical—they're hot, cold or hungry.
A Dog with Bite But No Bark
If you love dogs but hate the sound of barking, here's a possible solution—a barkless dog. The basenji, from the Congo, is a...
