Dogs are one of the few things in the world that are universally loved no matter where you go. They’ve earned the title of man’s best friend by being by our side for thousands of years, whether for protection or companionship. There’s a reason that millions of people worldwide keep dogs as pets- they’re adorable, loyal, and fiercely protective. If, like countless others, you love dogs, you might be curious about them and their evolution. Here are some of the most interesting facts about dogs that any dog person would love hearing.
They’ve Been Our Ancient Companions
There’s a reason dogs and humans get along so well. There’s evidence that dogs have been by our sides for as long as 14,000 or 17,000 years. Dogs are one of the first animals ever domesticated by humans, and their chain of evolution is closely tied to the adaptations they needed to make to get along with humans better. They evolved a better sense of smell and higher emotional intelligence. Since ancient times, humans have been using dogs as lookouts, to guard shelters, to farm animals, and for companionship. Dogs have used these last 17,000 years to understand humans better and evolve to live alongside us in harmony.
They’ve Got an Amazing Sense of Smell
It’s common knowledge that dogs have incredible senses of smell. They’re used for sniffing out drugs and illicit substances and can hunt prey by tracking their scents. However, it may come as a shock just how sensitive their noses are. They can smell more than ten thousand times better than humans and can even detect small chemical changes in people’s bodies. In many cases, dogs have identified cancer in unsuspecting people and dangerously low blood sugar in people with diabetes just through their noses.
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There Are Endless Breeds
The practice of breeding dogs has been around for thousands of years in every continent and every country around the world. There are dozens of mainstream breeds that nearly anyone can name, but what you likely don’t know is that there are over 340 recognized breeds out there, all of whom have their rich history and their specific uses.
Some of these breeds, like Doberman dogs, poodles, German shepherds, and rottweilers, are more common than others. Nowadays with the help of the internet, it has become quite easy to find breeds you love, for instance, if you want to buy a European Doberman puppy, a simple search for “European Doberman for sale” on the internet can provide you with plenty of option to choose from. But there are countless more breeds that you likely have never come across in your life. The diversity of dogs is endless.
They’re Highly Intelligent
Incredible intelligence is one of the main characteristics of dogs and the biggest reason they’ve been so successful in the race for survival over the years. Dogs are highly emotionally intelligent and in tune with their owners. They can sense when you’re happy, sad, anxious, or even angry or depressed. They’ll do their best to console you in difficult times and help you feel better. This is why they make such great therapy pets. They have incredible senses of problem-solving and can solve mazes. Some dogs have even been able to learn over a thousand words and phrases that have been taught by their owners.
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They’re Closely Related to Wolves
The closest relatives of dogs are wolves. This is evident if you consider breeds like Siberian huskies, which look like friendlier versions of wolves. However, even the most tame, tiny, and harmless dog, like a poodle, is closely related to a wolf in its DNA, so much so that dogs and wolves can interbreed. You could theoretically breed a poodle and a wolf to make a hybrid dog.
Conclusion
Dogs have been part of our lives for hundreds of thousands of years. Whether it’s been for hunting, protection, or just for happiness, dogs have always been there for us, providing us with everything we could need in return for shelter. Since then, the bond between man and dog has only deepened. There are millions of dog lovers out there, but not all of them have researched more information about dogs. Knowing more about them will help you take better care of your pet and will help you understand their needs.
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