NEWCASTLE KZN: Interesting facts about cats and dogs

Did you know that according to the Guinness book of Records, the smallest living dog is a long haired Chihuahua called Danka Kordak from Scotland? Danka is 13.8cm tall and 18.8cm long!

Here are some interesting facts about dogs and cats, courtesy of Heather Gero from the Newcastle SPCA:

• Puppies do not open their eyes until they are about 10 days to two weeks old
• Dogs have twice as many muscles for moving their ears as people
• The Basenji is the only breed of dog that cannot bark
• Dalmatians, with all those cute black spots, are actually born white
• Chow-Chows have have blue-black tongues
• The Poodles’ ‘haircut’ was to improve their swimming abilities – the ‘pompoms’ were left to keep their joints warm
• The Greyhound is the fastest dog on earth and can run up to 72kms per hour
• The first living creature sent into space was a female dog named Laika
• The Newfoundland breed have webbed feet, making them great swimmers and divers.

Interesting facts about felines

• A breed of cats, known as Manx cats, are born without tails
• Cats spend 15% of their day grooming themselves and a massive 70% of their day sleeping
• Cats see six times better than we do in the dark
• A cat’s tail helps it balance when it’s on the move, especially when it’s jumping
• Cats use their whiskers to help them find things in the dark
• Cats rub against you to put their smell on you to tell other cats you belong to them
• The smallest cat breed is the Singapura – they weight around 2 to 4kg
• The cat, giraffe and camel are the only animals that walk by moving both their left feet, then both their right feet when walking
• A group of kittens is called a ‘kindle’
• The richest cat in the world is called Blackie and was left £15 million in his owner’s will.

For more interesting information about dogs and cats, as well as general assistance with information pertaining to the care of your animals, contact the Newcastle SPCA on 034 318 2346 or visit the organisation on Samson Avenue in Barry Hertzog Park.

ALSO READ: Charity Shop for Newcastle SPCA now open

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WhatsApp: 082 874 5550

Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za

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