Fun Dog Facts for Kids

Dogs are fantastic animal companions, loyal forever friends and some are even dedicated workers! In this post, our Greensboro vets share some fun dog facts for kids. 

Anatomy

As omnivores, our furry friends need a well-rounded diet that includes more than just meat. They also need proteins and vegetables.

A dog’s average body temperature should hover around 101.2 degrees Fahrenheit (38.4 degrees Celsius).

Contrary to what many believe, dogs are able to see color, but not as vividly as their human friends.

Obesity is the number one health problem dogs deal with.

Dogs’ sense of smell is around anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times better than ours. Their outstanding sense of smell means they are excellent working dogs and are often used in airports and other environments to sniff out illegal items such as drugs or bombs. Each dog’s nose print is also similar to our fingerprint - one of a kind.

Dogs’ sense of hearing is also amazing - they are great guard dogs because they can hear sounds at high frequencies that humans can’t.

The only sweat glands a dog has are between his toes, so it’s important to keep your dog hydrated and cool in the dog days of summer. Make sure they have plenty of shade and water, and that they stay inside on very hot days.

Communication

Dogs can’t talk, but they communicate with us humans with different techniques. If your dog positions her body a specific way, makes interesting facial expressions, bares her teeth, barks or marks her scent, you can be sure she’s trying to tell you (or other animals) something!

Dogs wag their tails to the right when they’re happy, and to the left when they’re frightened.

Language

Dog - the English word for our canine friends - originated from the Middle English dogge, which stemmed from Old English docga, meaning “a powerful dog breed.

Domesticated Dog Origin

Throughout the last several thousand years, we’ve gradually domesticated dogs into the friendly companions we know and love today. For about 12,000 years, people have been keeping dogs as pets.

Dog Breeds

192 different dog breeds are officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. Whether you’re thinking of getting a miniature dachshund or a large energetic Samoyed, you’ll be sure to find a breed you love!

The Labrador Retriever is America’s most popular breed, and has kept the coveted spot at the top of the list since the 1990s. Their intelligent, playful nature makes them great pets. They can also serve as working, therapy or guide dogs.

The German Shepherd and Golden Retriever round out the country’s 3 most popular breeds.

Dogs as Pets

While we get many years of joy out of keeping dogs as pets, many breeds are also known for being excellent workers, trained to track missing persons, join police and military ranks, provide protection, help handicapped people, hunt, pull loads, herd, and more.