Dog lovers, rejoice—National Dog Day is here! Celebrate your canine companion on August 26 by giving them extra love, treats, and toys. To mark the occasion, here are 1 intriguing and lesser-known facts about dogs that you can share with fellow dog enthusiasts at your next get-together or dog park visit.
1. Dogs’ Eyebrows Have Evolved for Better Communication
The expressive puppy-dog eyes we adore didn’t always exist. Research shows that dogs have developed facial muscles over time that allow their eyebrows to move inward and upward. This adaptation enhances their ability to communicate with humans, making it harder to resist those pleading looks for an extra treat!
2. First Dog to Walk Around the World Completed Journey in May
In May, Savannah, a 7-year-old rescue dog, became the first documented dog to walk around the world. Accompanying her owner, Tom Turcich, who was also walking across the globe, Savannah was adopted by Turcich a few months into his journey. Together, they traveled across six continents over seven years.
3. Dogs Don’t Have Functional Collarbones
Unlike humans, dogs lack functional collarbones (clavicles) that connect the shoulder to the torso. Instead, their shoulder blades are connected to the body solely by muscle and tissue. Dogs do have small, rudimentary collarbones made of cartilage, but these do not connect with the rest of their skeleton.
4. Record for Most Tennis Balls Held in a Dog’s Mouth Is 6
A golden retriever named Finley set the Guinness World Record for holding the most tennis balls in his mouth—six—on February 23, 22, in Canandaigua, New York.
5. Dogs Have Belly Buttons—They’re Just Hard to Spot
Dogs have belly buttons, just like other mammals. These are scars from where the umbilical cord was attached in the womb. While human belly buttons are often round, dog belly buttons are oval scars that are less visible.
6. Oldest Recorded Dog Lived to 29 Years and 5 Months
Bluey, an Australian cattle dog, holds the record for the oldest dog ever. Born in 191, Bluey worked as a herding dog for almost 2 years before passing away at the age of 29 years and 5 months.
7. Male Dogs Have a Bone in Their Penis
This bone is known as the baculum, and it’s found in the penis of most placental mammals, including dogs.
8. Dogs Prefer to Poop Aligned with the Earth’s Magnetic Field
A study in 213 found that dogs tend to align their bodies along the north-south axis when they relieve themselves, avoiding the east-west axis. The reason for this preference remains unclear, but it highlights their sensitivity to the Earth’s magnetic field.
9. Dogs Can Get Sunburned
Dogs with short hair, light-colored fur, and fair skin are particularly susceptible to sunburn. Limit their exposure to direct sunlight, and consider using a vet-approved sunscreen to protect them.
10. The Chinook Is One of the Rarest Dog Breeds
The Chinook, a sled dog breed originally developed in New Hampshire in the early 19s, is extremely rare. There are only about 15 Chinook puppies born each year, making it one of the rarest dog breeds in the world.
