Facts about the animal kingdom of Dogs

Does the name Hachiko sound familiar to you? Hachiko was a loyal Japanese dog that waited at a train station for 10 years for the arrival of its owner, who had died while working as a teacher. This dog's faithfulness went on to achieve worldwide fame, and it has a statue at the same station where it...

While it may appear as if your dog is howling for no reason, this is not the case. It may not be obvious, but understanding a dog's canine instinct and behavioral traits will help you to understand the reason for their howling. To do so, we need to look at the context of the howling. This can include the genetics...

We cannot tell a dog we are pregnant directly. We can intimate it during the pregnancy and they will be fully aware of a baby's presence once they are born. Fortunately, dogs are likely aware of the pregnancy thanks to their own perceptive abilities. It is even possible a dog will be aware that their...

Can dogs sense when their owner is about to go into labor? Many pet owners claim their dogs act differently in the days leading up to childbirth, becoming more protective, clingy, or even restless. But is there any truth to this, or is it just a coincidence? Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and intuition,...

There is a widespread belief in many cultures that a dog howling means death is about to come. While not as prevalent as it once was, this belief was once very common in European, Asian, Middle Eastern and Native American cultures. Dogs were seen as having a paranormal connection with the spirit world, meaning...

Sniffer dogs, renowned for their exceptional sense of smell, are specially trained to detect and locate a wide range of substances and objects. These breeds are highly intelligent and can be easily trained to follow specific commands and perform their tasks with accuracy. These skilled canines play a crucial...

The Peruvian Inca Orchid and the Xoloitzcuintle are two dog breeds that are often confused with each other. This is understandable since they have many key characteristics which are similar. They are both from Latin America, an area of the world from which only a minority of recognized breeds originate....

When a male dog mates with a female, the copulation process involves a period where the two dogs are stuck together. This is due to engorgement of the genitals and its purpose is to ensure that as much sperm as possible can be introduced to have the best chance of egg fertilization. When intertwined, the...

Mexico is known for its vibrant culture and delicious cuisine, but did you know they are also the native home to some really interesting dog breed? With a rich history dating back centuries, this Latin American nation has produced some of the world's most unique and beloved dog breeds. From the tiny...

For millennia, dogs have held a unique place by our side, offering companionship, service, and unwavering loyalty. But how deeply does this bond extend? Can they truly understand the complexities of human emotion? Research suggests that dogs are highly sensitive to human feelings, often responding to...

Yawning is a common behavior that we often associate with tiredness or boredom in humans. But have you ever wondered why dogs yawn? Dogs, our loyal and beloved companions, also engage in this intriguing behavior, and it carries significant meaning in their world of communication. Understanding why dogs...

When in natural light, we can look into our dog's eyes and see the deep coloration. Although a dog's eyes can be a range of colors, they are all patterned delicately and do not have any natural bioluminescence. For this reason, it can be quite an eerie sensation to see our dog's eyes light up like some...

As you know, the teeth of animals are specially adapted to the type of food they eat. Dogs, being carnivores, have incisors and canines with which they can grasp, tear and rip meat, and premolars and molars with which they can cut and grind food. Our dog's teeth can tell us a lot about our dog's health,...

You may be aware that a dog can sense a woman's pregnancy. This is mainly thanks to their incredible sense of smell which allows them to observe cellular changes in a woman's body that we are ill equipped to perceive. It is also because our dog pays attention to us. When we build a strong bond with our canine,...

While we share knowledge on all kinds of companion animals, there is a reason the dog features in so many of our AnimalWised articles. The dog is not considered ‘man's best friend’ simply because they are adorable, loving and incredibly beneficial animals with which we can share our lives. It also has...

If you live in a quiet neighborhood, it possible a dog will hear a siren very infrequently and bark as the ambulance, police car, fire truck or other kind of emergency service vehicle drives past. If you live in a busy neighborhood in a city, it is possible this is frequent occurrence. A dog howling...

We often wish our dog could simply communicate with us using words. Although they are non-verbal, dogs communicate everything we need to know about them. We simply have to pay attention. Body language and other physical signals are used to convey their wants, mood and emotions, but not all are as obvious...

We can tell whether a person is left- or right-handed by their actions. Their dominant hand is determined by how they eat, open doors, play music, write or do many other functions. Dogs do not use their paws in the same way as humans, so it can be more difficult to determine whether they are right-...

When we think of the relationships between humans and dogs, we think of them being our best friend. This is reasonable considering the relationships we see with our friends and their animal or even on various social media platforms. If we adopt a dog and find they are not immediately our best friend, it can...

Dogs are animals with qualities, instincts and reactions different from those than we humans possess. The fact we live longer, but seem to take so long to mature implies animals have certain advantages over us. Too many people see animals, even dogs, as inferior. At AnimalWised, we see things differently....

While we may love our dog enormously, too many of us see petting them as a right rather than a privilege. Even though a healthy dog will want interaction, it doesn't mean they don't have boundaries. Dogs have sensitive areas on their bodies just like us. These are places where they either don't like to...

Whether we like it or not, dogs will not keep the same sleep schedule as their human guardians. While this can be disruptive if they are making noise when we are trying to sleep, it actually offers us an opportunity to observe them. A dog's health and well-being can be assessed in many ways and watching...

Can dogs understand that we love them by how we care for them and the affection we give them? Dogs are actually able to understand more than what we give them credit for. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain how dogs know we love them. We will also answer other questions related to this...

Dogs have a complex body language which is relayed through body postures and facial expressions. They can often go unnoticed if we don't pay enough attention. It's harder not to notice when the dog leans on us directly. For many of us, this is not only a normal occasion, but it is welcome behavior. Our...

Any responsible guardian sees happiness as a basic care need for their dog. If we provide them with food, shelter and security, it's a good start to keeping them happy. However, since canine and human communication is different, we also need to know how to confirm our dog is happy. While we might simply...

Understanding canine behavior is all about context. A dog will often act differently around their family than they do with a stranger. The same can be said when they greet other dogs or animals of a different species. As a species, the domestic dog is a gregarious animal and very sociable. Greeting is a...

The Boxer dog breed is a very popular animal with many guardians. People fall in love with their affectionate and playful character as much as their distinct features. However, there are many people unfamiliar with the dog who find them intimidating. Since they are an athletic and muscular breed, some...

If we see our dog has bit a rat, we will likely think about the reputation of these rodents. Although any wild animal can be a vector, rats are particularly associated with the spread of disease. This is partly due to their history, but it is largely a result of their nature. Rats live in close proximity...

Have you ever noticed the hair on your dog's back stand on end? It might be the hair along their spine stands up, almost like a hedgehog backed into a corner. These hairs are known as hackles and raised hackles are a normal reaction for the dog, similar to how we humans can experience goosebumps. Similarly,...

There are many important reason to neuter your dog. For the larger animal community, sterilizing dogs lessens the problems caused by overpopulation. For the individual, sterilizing can help the dog avoid various behavioral and health problems caused by the reproductive organs. These can range from avoiding aggression...

Communication is the foundation of any relationship. For a dog, this includes the relationship they have with us and with any other animal. We know much of what we do about canine communication thanks to studying how dogs interact with each other. However, it is often too easy to make assumptions on...

The saying claims that dogs are ‘man's best friend’, but it is often with adolescents and the young that dogs are most connected. A well-educated and positively reinforced dog often creates a very strong bond with their human family. Some are particularly fond of children and babies. While they may be willing...

The American Pit Bull Terrier and related Pit Bull types are among the most controversial dogs, often appearing in heated media debates. Under these circumstances, it is normal that several myths have developed surrounding this breed. How can you separate the myths from the facts? There are a number of...

A dog's nose can change color due to benign changes in skin pigmentation, but there are some pathological reasons for a dog's nose to change color. The color of a dog's body is determined similar to humans, even their nose. Melanin is a pigment which binds to amino acids to create various shades and...

There are more than 400 dog breeds, each with their own peculiarities that distinguish them from one another. Some of these characteristics might seem quite strange, for example dog breeds that have blue tongues. Although they are normally referred to as blue, the dark pigmentation on a dog's tongue...

The use of a muzzle in dogs is sometimes an unfortunate necessity. For example, some jurisdictions have laws requiring dogs to be muzzled on public transport. Dogs with traumatic backgrounds or with poor socialization may need to be muzzled when walked in busy areas. Some people think they should be...

The anatomy of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is something which is difficult to qualify. The main reason for this is because there are so many dog breeds in the world. More than 300 are officially recognized by standardization bodies such as the FCI as well as the many mixed breed variants which...

Dogs are complex, fascinating and interesting animals that do things which sometimes, we as humans, do not quite understand. One of the most common dog habits which people tend to question is butt smelling. ‘‘Why do dogs sniff each other’s butts?’’ Did you know that the main reason dogs smell each other’s...

It is estimated that dogs and humans have lived together for around 3,000 years. Despite our long and happy time together, there are still some new discoveries to be made. Every year new studies in canine ethology are produced, enlightening us about a dog's biology and behavior. Some of these revelations...

Dogs, like all animal species, have a different way of expressing themselves. Dogs use specific body language and vocal sounds to communicate their mood and feelings. As dog tutors, it is important to both understand and respect canine nature in order to learn to communicate better with our furry friends....

Puppies, as with human babies, do not have any teeth at birth. Eventually newborn puppies will develop one or two deciduous teeth (also known as milk teeth) which are only partly developed and temporary. During breastfeeding, puppies will exclusively suckle from their mother's breast and don't require...

When our dog wants to lay their head on us, it is almost impossible to resist. Even when we are busy, the expression of closeness means we don't want to deny it. There is good reason why we enjoy our dog laying our head on us. As an expression of the bond between us, it can help reduce stress and improve...

Our responsibility when adopting a dog is feeding, watering and caring for their basic needs. Our joy when living with a dog is getting to give them all the love they deserve. This means pampering when we can, giving them plenty of caresses and petting them like crazy. Fortunately, for most dogs, this is...

Not counting the almost unlimited possibilities for mixed breed dogs, there are over 300 officially recognized dog breeds across the world. Each dog within these different breeds is an individual with a personality influenced by many factors. How obedient any dog will be is informed most by their socialization...

Undoubtedly, one of the best things about being a dog tutor is that we never really feel alone. In fact, sometimes it may feel as if we are constantly being watched by our furry best friends, who’s eyes seem to follow us everywhere. Have you ever noticed that your dog stares at you constantly, sometimes...

There's a reason why dogs don't normally wear shoes. The soles of their feet are durable enough for them to walk across different terrain. If we were to go out in the snow without shoes, we wouldn't last very long. Huskies somehow manage to trek across snowy terrain on their paws alone. And yet, a dog's...

You’ve probably noticed that your dog loves to sleep in a specific position. But have you every wondered what the meaning of this dog sleeping position is? Firstly, it is important to remember that an adequate amount of good sleep is necessary for a dog’s well-being. Therefore, we suggest respecting your...

It is common for your dog to always want to sleep next to you in bed or simply in the same room. Although not all dogs will do so, this behavior is related to their canine nature. Being social animals, wanting to sleep next to their guardians is a way to encourage our bond and feel secure. It is a behavior...

When it comes to choosing a toy or a dog training tool for your dog, it is important to take into account which colors are the most striking for dogs. In this way, you can ensure that your dog can distinguish toys from other objects, include floors. In this AnimalWised article we will be discussing...

Cats can run very fast, making it difficult for humans to catch them if they run somewhere they shouldn't. They can dart about easily through our legs and even run up vertical surfaces with seemingly little effort. Although they have great speed in small spaces, does this mean cats can run faster than...