10 Things you didn’t know about dogs

Who doesn’t love a count down at the end of the year, and when it revolves around dogs, count us IN!

Did you know that dogs may have been a man’s best friend starting 27,000-40,000 years ago? No, neither did we, and here are a few other things you may not have known about your 4-legged friend:

1. The domestication of dogs started in China, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

2. According to Brooklyn College English professor Katherine M. Rogers, women may have been responsible for turning wolves in to pets before men.

3. The bonding hormone known as oxytocin is released in humans when they look in to each other’s eyes. A study led by Nagasawa found that oxytocin is also released in humans and dogs when they gaze in to each other’s eyes. Now that’s what we call “Puppy Love”.

4. In the 1890’s Saint Bernard’s were classified as the most popular breed of dog. Fast forward to current times where the Labrador Retriever has been the favorite breed since the 1990’s.

5. Who’s a stinky dog, not Rover! Humans sweat everywhere, dogs sweat only through the pads of their feet.

6. Speaking of smell, your furry pal’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than us humans.

7. We love it when our office mascot Dougie the Doodle curls up in to a ball. Did you know that in addition to keeping themselves warm, this instinct also protects their vital organs while they sleep?

8. Sure biker babes have been known to rock a spiked collar, but did you know that spiked collars for dogs originated in Greece to protect beloved pooches throats from wolf attacks.

9. We’ve all heard the term “dog days of summer” but did you know it has nothing to do with dogs. This catch phrase dates back to Roman times, when Sirius, the Dog Star, added its heat to the heat of the sun from July 3 to August 1, that’s haute!

10. Dogs have 42 teeth when they reach adult dog age. Now that’s something to smile about.

Whew, now you’ve graduated from puppy 101. Come back and visit us for more interesting pup facts throughout the year!