Even if dogs have been domesticated since approximately 33,000 years ago, their primal instincts remain active to this day. Some of these instincts include howling at the moon, pack dependency and even territory marking.

Research shows that Dogs are the only animals in the animal kingdom that can read the emotions on your face much like humans. In other words dogs can tell at a glance if we are happy, angry or sad just by looking at our faces.

It’s a common misconception that dogs are completely color blind and can only see in black and white. The truth however is that a dog can see colors, just not as vivid or rich as we can.

A recent study conducted at the Schillerhöhe Hospital in Germany concluded that dogs have the incredible ability to recognize the scent of certain organic compounds in the human body, which are linked to the presence of lung cancer. This scientific breakthrough proves that canine companions may be instrumental in early detection of an otherwise traditionally hard to detect disease.

A number of studies have indicated that dogs face health risks when exposed to the toxins in secondhand smoke which include respiratory problems, allergies and even nasal and lung cancer.

Limping from a dog can be due to a host of things from a thorn stuck in their paw to arthritis. However, in some occasions, limping can also be a sign of bone cancer. So take any sign of limping seriously and visit your vet as soon as possible. It turns out that a chemical in chocolate called theobromine is toxic and can seriously, even fatally affect your dog if it ingests between 100 and 150 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

One study suggests that the longer and more pronounced a dog’s features are the longer he’ll be around. Conversely, dogs with flatter faces like bulldogs will have shorter lives.

Thunderstorms have particular sound frequencies that can hurt dogs’ ears. The fear that your dog shows at the start of a thunderstorm may actually be a reaction to pain. Unlike humans who sweat through theirs skin, dogs sweat through their paws. Check it out next time your dog seems to be hot. 

Just as humans can be identified by their fingerprints, dogs can be identified by their nose prints because like human fingerprints a dogs nose print is unique to that dog.

Dogs have a powerful sense of smell. So powerful that it has been estimated to be one thousand times more sensitive than that of a human. Dogs are pack animals and view their human/owner as the leader. In the United States, around 1 million dogs are primary beneficiaries of their owner’s will. A frightened dog will put its tail between his legs because it cuts off the scent glands in its anal region which carry personal scents that identify the individual dogs. It’s almost as if the dog is hiding his Id card. Studies show that indeed dogs can express jealousy. Dogs have the same hormone, oxytocin, which has been shown to be involved in both expressions of love and jealousy in experiments involving humans.

50-250 words seem a lot for dogs to remember and respond to but studies show that their cognitive skills can be that sharp, in fact, as sharp as a 2 year old child. The smarter breeds can absorb as many as 250 words while the average mutts can understand around 150 words. Having the ability to reach speeds of up to 45 mph, the greyhound is the fastest dog in the world.

Ever wonder why your pup chases his tail? There’s actually a good reason to that seemingly pointless habit. The circular motion flattens tall grass in the wild and turns it into a cozy bed for them.  

The Greyhound is the only dog named by name in the Bible. The reference is found in Proverbs 30:31.  A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.

Dogs, like humans, can get hiccups from eating or drinking too fast as they may swallow extra air. Sometimes feelings of anxiety, fear, stress and even excitement can also trigger hiccups for dogs.

Regardless of how it appears, your dog does not feel guilt. According to Barnard College researcher Alexandra Horowitz, the “guilty look” your dog gives you has more to do with your perception than his intention. Research shows that by petting a dog you help lower your blood pressure.