Why You Should Adopt A Dog

It truly is impossible to imagine a world where dogs never existed. Owning a dog is just such a privilege that a majority of families own a dog, or have owned a dog at some point of time in their lives. The level of intelligence is simply leaps and bounds beyond any other pet you could ever think of. They are always loyal, protective, and caring to their owners. There is simply an unbreakable bond between a dog and its owner, which is like having a brother or sister, a daughter or son, or just the best friend of your life. Its simply astounding that there is such a strong connection between dogs and humans, yet their lives are so short in comparison and range between 10-15 years in length. Of course there are always exceptions to this time span, but the truth is that they never live with you forever and you have to cherish the time you have with them. There are now companies that have latched on to this emotional connection to dogs and can clone your pet so you can literally spend another dog lifespan with your favorite companion. Perhaps they are not the most unique animal in the world, but when it comes to the hobby of raising a dog from being a puppy to old age, there is no hobby more passionate that having a pet dog.

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  Dog Fun Facts

1. Puppies love games such as hide and seek! Hide, then call your pup's name so she can try to find you.
2. Dogs can learn more than 1000 words.
3. Big happy "helicopter" tail wagging is one sign of a really nice dog
4. Upright, stiff, rapid tail movement is not wagging or "friendly" but indicates a dog who's rather excited and focused.
5. Puppies grow to half their body weight in the first four to five months!
6. Puppies then take a year or more to gain the other half of their body weight.
7. Puppies can sleep 18 to 20 hours a day during that rapid body growth phase.
8. Dogs sometimes appear to smile — much like humans — with open mouth grinning. This may indicate a relaxed, submissive state.
9. Tired puppies get cranky just like little kids. If you have a fussy puppy, try nap time.
10. The fastest breed, the Greyhound, can run up to 44 miles per hour.
11. Perky-eared dogs hear sounds better than floppy-eared dogs.
12. There are about 400 million dogs in the world.
13. The Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed, according to the American Kennel Club.
14. There are hundreds of breeds of dogs.
15. The average dog lives 10 to 14 years.
16. In general, smaller breeds live longer than larger breeds.
17. The world's oldest breed, the Saluki, originated in Egypt around 329 B.C.
18. According to a study shared by Cornell University, dogs were domesticated between 9,000 and 34,000 years ago.
19. Thomas Jefferson helped enact a dog tax in Virginia, because he was annoyed that dogs were killing his sheep.
20. Stroking dogs and gazing into their eyes releases the "feel good" hormone oxytocin for both people and dogs.
21. Dogs are omnivores -- they eat meat, grains and vegetables.
22. The heaviest breed, the Mastiff, weighs about 200 pounds.
23. More than half of all U.S. presidents have owned dogs.
24. President Calvin Coolidge owned at least a dozen dogs.
25. Just like human fingerprints, no two dogs' nose prints are alike.
26. At about 6 inches, the Chihuahua is the shortest breed.
27. Irish Wolfhounds, the tallest breed, are 30 to 35 inches tall.
28. A Russian dog named Laika was the first animal in space, traveling around Earth in 1957.
29. Dogs who bark the most: Miniature Schnauzers, Cairn Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, Fox Terriers and West Highland White Terriers.
30. Puppies have 28 teeth and adult dogs have 42.
31. The best age to bring a puppy home is 8 to 12 weeks.
32. Dogs can see best at dawn and dusk.
33. Dogs aren't colorblind but their eyes don't have receptors for red. They see in shades of black and white and also in shades of blue and yellow.
34. New puppies have heat sensors in their noses to help find their moms while their eyes and ears are closed.
35. A dog's sense of smell is reduced by up to 40 percent when he's overheated and panting.
36. Highly trainable dog breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and Collies are more kid-friendly than some other breeds.
37. Bichons, Portuguese Water Dogs, Kerry Blue Terriers, Maltese and Poodles are all good choices if you have allergies since they shed less than other breeds.
38. More than one in three U.S. families owns a dog.
39. The average number of puppies in a litter is four to six.
40. There are nearly 14,000 animal shelters and rescue groups across North America.
41. Service dogs are recognized in the U.S. as "necessary medical equipment."
42. Therapy dogs, who bring healing to individuals and families by visiting hospitals, schools or retirement homes, differ from service dogs, who assist individuals who have disabilities.
43. The Newfoundland has a water-resistant coat and webbed feet.
44. As Disney's Cruella De Vil was aware, Dalmatian puppies are born pure white and develop spots as they grow older.
45. Dogs sweat through the pads of their feet.
46. Dogs have three eyelids, including one to keep their eyes moist and protected.
47. Chow Chows are born with pink tongues, which turn blue-black at 8 to 10 weeks.
48. Dogs are pack animals — they don't enjoy being alone.
49. In ancient China, people kept warm by putting dogs up their sleeves.
50. Dogs who have been spayed or neutered live longer than intact dogs.

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