Did you know that every dog has a unique nose print? Just like your fingerprint, your pet’s nose print is one-of-a-kind. Actually, our canine buddies are chock full of interesting characteristics. An Aurora, CO vet lists some things you may not have known about Man’s Best Friend in this article.
Long Friendship
We’ve been buddies with dogs for about 30,000 years, and domesticated them about 12,000 years ago. No wonder Fido is so good at begging: he’s had a long time to work on his skills!
The Wolf On Your Sofa
Did you know that dogs’ mitochondrial DNA is about 99 percent the same as wolves’? A lot of Fido’s behavioral traits actually come from his wild forebears. For instance, you may notice your pet stamping his bed down before he curls up for a nap. That’s a habit wild dogs picked up when trampling grass and brush down to make nests.
A Day In The Life
Are you a Beatles fan? Try playing their song ‘A Day In The Life’ for Fido. Paul McCartney actually included a supersonic note that only pooches can hear at the end of the song. He did this for his own pooch, a Shetland sheepdog. It’s probably safe to say that sheepdog was one pampered pup!
Food For Thought
We all know that our canine pals really, really like food. As it turns out, Fido has about 1,700 taste buds. In comparison, we have 9,000. Kitties have less than 500.
On The Nose
Your pet’s nose is about 10,000 times more sensitive than yours is. Fido has a thin layer of mucus on his nose that helps him identify specific smells. Speaking of doggy noses, the shorter a pup’s nose is, the easier it is for him to overheat. This is one reason greyhounds are such great runners: their long snouts help keep them cool.
A Different Breed
Specific breeds also have some features that are unique among dogs. For example, Newfoundlands have webbed paws and water-resistant coats. Both of these things came in handy in the past, when they helped fishermen haul nets. These pooches are also skilled at water rescue. Another example is the Dalmatian. They are born white, but develop spots as they grow. They’re also great with horses!
Please feel free to call us, your local Aurora, CO vet clinic, anytime. We are here to help!
