dog facts

INTERESTING DOG FACTS & TRIVIA

Mixed breeds" and "Cross breeds" are NOT the same. Mixed breed dogs have various lineage that is most likely unknown, as for cross breds, they are only 2 different breeds of dogs combined together. Mixed breed dogs are less likely to suffer from inherited diseases and disabilities than purebred dogs are.

According to Breed All About It (a television show), Royalty and The Rich used to like little dogs for an unusual reason. They would put the little lap dog under the covers before retiring so that bedbugs, fleas, etc., would go onto the dog instead of themselves!

A few rare and unusual dog breeds are the Podengo, Broholmer, Lundehund and Lowchen. The Podengo is also known as the Portuguese Warren Hound. It is usually a fawn or yellow color, but can be brown, black or sooty colored without white patches or spots. It resembled a long-bodied chihuahua. The Broholmer is a breed that is recognized only in Denmark. It was believed to of become extinct in the 1960's but, in December of 1974, a purebred Broholmer popped up in Finland. This dog, named Bjoern was a male, and the owners hoped to of found a female for him to mate with, this didn't happen. Bjoern died in 1975 and the breed has yet to appear again. The Lundehund is a breed which has lived solely on two islands in the north of Norway. The Lundehund has 5 toes, and seven or eight cushions! It is a climbing dog, bred for rugged terrain. The Lowchen is native to France. It's called "petit chien lion" or, "little lion dog." This is due to its fur growth, as it resembles a lion's mane.

The oldest American breed is the American Foxhound. This dates back to 1650!

As much as your dog likes rawhide.. it's not that great for them-well.. to much of anything is never good. You should limit your dogs' rawhide intake, as too much can cause stomach disrupts, constipation and diarrhea. Although, most dogs tolerate it very well, some don't. Just be careful. Always supervise your dog when they chew on anything.

Don't smile at any dog that you feel may be dangerous. To him, you would be baring your teeth as a sign of agression.

The gigantic Irish Wolfhound is so strong that he can pick up a Mastiff or Bulldog. When he was pitted against either in a fight, he would pick his opponent up by the back and simply shake him to death.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks have an actual ridge along the top of their backs, which is made up of forward-growing hairs.

The Saluki is represented in Sumarian carvings dated back to 7000 B.C. It is said that "Whenever one sees the word 'dog' in the Bible it means the Saluki."

The Boxer was so named for his manner of fighting - which is that he starts a fight with his front paws like a human boxer.

The tallest and shortest breeds of dogs you ask? Well.. The tallest breeds are the Great Dane, the Irish Wolfhound, the St. Bernard, the English Mastiff, the Borzoi, and the Anatolian Karabash (Turkish Shepherd Dog). All of these breeds can attain 36 inches (90 cm.) at the shoulder! As for the smallest breed of dog is the Chihuahua, which is between 2-6lbs. It has been recorded proof of a Chihuahua skeleton that was a total of 7 inches in length. There is no weight recorded on this skeleton, but estimates believe it couldn't be more than a pound! The second smallest breed of dog is the Yorkshire Terrier, which should officially not weight more than 7lbs. But, many pet Yorkies tend to get much larger than this standard.

The Great Pyrenees dogs are so sensitive to anesthesia that it can kill them. Great caution is required for any surgery for this breed.

Dalmations, with all those cute black spots, are born white.

Chow Chows were originally bred for three reasons: 1) of course, for a great pet/hunter/helper; 2) to keep people warm with their furry hides; and 3) as food (like pigs or cows).


The Afghan Hound is mentioned in writings as far back as 4000 B.C., and its name can be translated as "baboon" or "monkey-faced hound." Despite the unflattering name, he was a favorite of royalty.

The Bloodhound doesn't need to smell blood to find someone who is lost. It is said that his name instead means blooded hound, or aristocratic.

Did you know that the oldest pure-bred British dog is reckoned to be the Cardigan Welsh Corgi? Their proof of existance has been traced back to dogs brought to Wales by the Celts from the Black Sea around 1200 BC.

The Basenji doesn't bark.

Chow Chows have bluish black tongues and gums (which start out pink but turn dark by eight weeks).

Newfoundlands have webbed feet, making them great swimmers and divers.

Bassets can't swim. Their legs are too short to keep their heavy, long bodies afloat.