Goldstein - 101 Amazing Facts about Dogs

Title Page

101 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT DOGS

Jack Goldstein

Publisher Information

Published in 2014 by

Andrews UK Limited

www.andrewsuk.com

The right of Jack Goldstein to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998

Copyright 2014 Jack Goldstein

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Any person who does so may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

All facts contained within this book have been researched from reputable sources. If any information is found to be false, please contact the publishers, who will be happy to make corrections for future editions.

Introduction

Did you know that in medieval times dogs were known to have accompanied their masters into battle wearing suits of armour? Or that the Rhodesian Ridgeback was first bred to fight lions? This fantastic quick-read eBook featured over one hundred facts about dogs split into categories such as evolution, health, behaviour, record breakers and many more. So if you want to know who the heaviest dog ever to have lived was, or what the wagometer was invented for, then this is the book for you! Find the information you want, fast.

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The Basics

1. The word dog is believed to come from the old English word docga , which was a particular canine breed.
2. Dogs are often referred to as mans best friend because of their long history of being companion animals to humans over thousands of years.
3. It is estimated that there are around five hundred million dogs in the world, with the United States being the country that is home to the most.
4. There are hundreds of different breeds of dog, many of them specialising in particular tasks such as hunting, security, and assisting those with a disability such as blindness.
5. In canine terminology, a male is usually known as a dog , and a female a bitch . A puppy usually refers to a dog or bitch who is less than one year old.
6. A group of offspring is called a litter , with the mother being called the dam and the father the sire .
7. Most breeds today are relatively new - usually no more than a few hundred years old, and some much more recent. They have generally been created by selective breeding, choosing the dogs and bitches with particular traits to breed with each other.
8. The average lifespan of a dog is around twelve years, however some breeds sadly dont live this long, whereas others enjoy much longer lives.
9. In England in the fourteenth century, dog actually referred to a particular type of hound , which was the word used to describe all domesticated canines. Over time however, the word dog took over as referring to any breed, whereas hound specifically related to hunting dogs.
10. Although dogs have always been kept for working purposes, today it is more common to keep a dog for companionship. Whereas in times gone past, this practice would have been reserved for the rich and the social elite, today many people take up the opportunity to welcome a dog into their family life.

A Poodle

Health

1. Dogs only have sweat glands in between their paws, whereas humans sweat from all over their bodies. The only other way a dog can release heat is by panting.
2. Different sized dogs require different amounts of exercise and it is important for you to understand what yours needs. Without the proper lifestyle a dog will quickly display behavioural and health issues.
3. When bathing your dog you must use special dog shampoo - products designed for humans can contain irritants that will harm your dogs skin.
4. It is wise to regularly brush your dogs teeth; this is because it limits the risk of it picking up oral diseases and allows you to spot future teeth and gum problems much easier.
5. You should never feed your dog grapes or raisins (as they can cause liver failure) and must ensure they dont consume apple or pear seeds because they contain quantities of arsenic that can be deadly to dogs.
6. Similarly, you must avoid feeding your dog chocolate or anything that contains caffeine, as they do not have the ability to process certain chemicals effectively.
7. It is also unwise to allow your dog to drink milk, as most breeds are lactose intolerant.
8. A healthy dog usually has a temperature of between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. It is possible to estimate a dog breeds potential lifespan by the shape of their faces. Flat faced breeds tend to live shorter lives, whereas those with long snouts often live to a much older age.
10. When a puppy is born it has no teeth and cannot see or hear.

A Dalmatian

Dogs in History

1. Images of dogs have been found in Spanish cave paintings dating back over ten thousand years.
2. The Epic of Gilgamesh (considered one of the earliest surviving works of literature) describes how the goddess Innana had seven prized hunting dogs.
3. Dogs are almost always described as loyal companions in ancient literature. One famous example is in Homers epic Odyssey where he describes how Odysseus returns home having been away for twenty years and yet his faithful dog Argos still recognises him.
4. The ancient city of Peritas was founded by Alexander the Great and was named in memory of his favourite dog.
5. Many people know that the ancient Egyptians worshipped cats, but did you also know they revered their pet dogs? When one would die the family would shave their eyebrows off and smear mud in their hair as a sign of morning.
6. Tomb paintings of the famous pharaoh Ramses the Great depict him with hunting dogs; when he died it is likely that they were buried with him as it was believed they would offer him loyalty and companionship in the afterlife.
7. The ancient Mbaya Indians held a belief that humans once lived underground - until the dogs dug us up.
8. It is thought that the Mongolian emperor Kublai Khan owned more than five thousand dogs, most of them mastiffs!
9. The Chinese believe that people born in the year of the dog are loyal and discreet but can be temperamental. The Mayans and Aztecs believed that to be born under the sign of the dog meant you might become a great leader.
10. Large dogs such as Mastiffs and Great Danes have historically been used in battle; in medieval times they were even known to have worn spiked collars or even suits of armour.

A Labrador

Behaviour

1. A dog curls up into a ball when it is sleeping due to an inbuilt genetic behaviour - the position is designed to keep the dog warm and to protect its abdomen (and therefore vital organs) from predators.
2. When your dogs paw is twitching when it is asleep, it really is dreaming! Scientists have discovered that dogs have the same stages of sleep as humans, and when they are in the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage, this is when they dream.