With International Dog Day commemorated on 26 August, it’s time to share some fantastic facts about various dog breeds to make you love these four-legged pooches even more.
New dog breeds are emerging all the time, and there are currently around 200 breeds.
While no breed is better than any other, they do come with some interesting quirks and talents.
1. Chow chows
This is one of a few select breeds that doesn’t have a pink tongue, but rather a purple-black tongue.
In puppies, the tongue might initially appear pink but it will darken over time, becoming purple-black by around 6 months.
2. Poodles
Rather than just a precious pup, the poodle was actually bred for its incredible swimming abilities.
The funny haircut helps with the swimming, with the pom-poms ensuring their joints remain warm.
They’re a good breed for allergy sufferers as the soft, curly coat doesn’t shed very much.
3. Basenjis
There is only one dog breed that doesn’t actually bark – the basenji.
However, this doesn’t mean they’re completely silent, rather they make a sort of yodelling sound.
4. Belgian malinois
This incredible dog breed can actually sniff out prostate cancer in human urine.
A Parisian study saw the breed correctly identify 63 out of 66 samples.
These were taken from men with prostate cancer but no other medical conditions.
5. Bloodhounds
These are such great tracking dogs that they’re actually used to convict criminals!
The nose of the bloodhound is admissible as court evidence in America, with one bloodhound in Kentucky tracking down more than 600 criminals.
6. Border collies
If you’re looking for the smartest dog breed, the Border collie is it!
They’re followed by our swimming poodles, German shepherds and golden retrievers.
7. King Charles spaniels
These beautiful dogs were used by England’s Tudor monarchs as ‘comfort spaniels’, keeping their owners’ laps and feet warm, while attracting fleas away from the humans!
They were named after King Charles II because of their association with the monarch.
8. Dalmatians
These pups are born without spots, which only appear at about 3 months – and can continue to develop as they get older.
They’re also associated with firehouses because, when fire engines were drawn by horses, the Dalmatians would distract the horses during fires and keep them from getting skittish.
9. Pekingese
The flat-nosed, long-haired Pekingnese that wouldn’t last a second in the wild was once owned only by the Chinese nobility – the Imperial family.
Anyone caught stealing one of these dogs was sentenced to death.
10. Rhodesian ridgebacks
These African dogs, which make wonderful family pets, were actually bred to hunt lions.
Fortunately, they enjoy a more sedate life now that lions don’t require hunting.
11. St Bernards
In the 17th century, monks at the Hospice of St Bernard bred a dog that would save travellers crossing through the mountains between Switzerland and Italy.
These dogs would find fallen travellers, dig them out of the snow and keep them warm. They would also alert the monks, saving more than 2 000 lives.
12. Greyhounds
If you want a fast pup, the greyhound is it!
They can reach speeds of around 70km/h.
While cheetahs are faster, reaching speeds of around 100km/h, greyhounds would still beat them in time as cheetahs can run fast only for short distances.
These are some of the many great dog breeds, but the best breed is a shelter pup!
If you’re looking to celebrate International Dog Day with a new dog, save a life and make a friend.
SOURCES:
www.mspca.org
www.be.chewy.com
www.blog.adaptil.com
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
