Skip to content Everybody loves puppies. At the sight of small soft lumps of happiness, even the coldest heart will melt and the stern look will change to a gentle and harmless one. We have prepared facts about puppies that will cheer you up and give you a dose of affection with these adorable creatures.
1. Puppies are born deaf and blind
On their first birthday, puppies do not hear or see. Their eyes and ear canals are tightly closed. The reason is evolution. Prolonged pregnancy affects the predator’s ability to forage. In order not to starve while carrying offspring, dogs have evolved – the gestation period has decreased. The embryos are in the womb for about two months, which is not enough for the full maturation of the puppies. Therefore, being born into the world, babies do not have all the functions of the body.
2. Puppies have milk teeth
Like many newborn mammals, puppies are born completely toothless. In the second week of life, teeth begin to appear. The puppy has 28, in contrast to the adult dog, which has 32 teeth. The difference lies in the molars, which appear only at 3-7 months, together with the permanent teeth. When changing teeth, it is important for puppies to have their mouths checked daily.
3. Puppies need to sleep more
Like babies, puppies need 15-20 hours of sleep a day. During sleep, the development of the brain, muscles and immune system in small pets takes place. Therefore, veterinarians strongly recommend not to disturb the healthy sleep regimen in puppies.
4. Some breeds have larger offspring than others
Small breeds tend to produce fewer litters than larger dog breeds. There are exceptions, but rarely. The largest number of offspring was recorded in the Neapolitan Mastiff – 24 puppies.
5. Puppies with green hair
Sometimes light-colored breeds give birth to green puppies. Such an unusual phenomenon is formed due to the presence of biliverdin in the mother’s placenta, which stains the newborn puppy’s coat green. Over the course of several weeks, the shade gradually fades and the coat acquires its usual color.
6. Puppies do not catch yawning
A large percentage of people on the planet are subject to the phenomenon of contagious yawning. Dogs are no exception to this rule. But yawning does not work on cute puppies, which was proved in 2012 by Swedish scientists after a study. For the experiment, 35 dogs, aged 4 to 14 months, were selected and yawned. Only the adults reacted to the reflex and yawned, the puppies were not provoked in any way.
7. Puppies enjoy baby talk more than their parents
Puppies have many similar behaviors to humans. Puppies are more likely to respond to phrases spoken in a sweetly childish voice, a new study found. During the experiment, 30 women were asked to look at pictures of dogs and say the phrase “Hello! Hello cutie! Who is the good boy? Go here! Good boy! Pie! What a good boy!” No one was surprised when, when playing records with a higher timbre of voice, the puppies reacted violently to the voice, began to bark merrily and run to the speaker. In contrast, older dogs ignored the tapes.
8. Dalmatians are born without spots
One of the most famous breeds loved by George Washington, as well as countless children who watched the Disney cartoon, is the Dalmatian. Their offspring are born white, without a single hint of spots. The new color in Dalmatian puppies begins to appear after the fourth week. But there are times when representatives of this breed are born with a couple of large spots.
9. Puppies manipulate people with their eyes
“Don’t make puppy eyes!” This phrase was heard by everyone who tried to ask for or achieve something. And all because puppies are still manipulators. They have long learned that their charming big eyes make people kinder and help them to achieve any goals. Such a dramatic expression of a dog’s muzzle is made only at the moment when they are sure that a person is looking at them. This fact helped to reveal the next study, which took place in a shelter for stray animals. Those dogs that did “puppy eyes” were accepted into the family much faster than those that lured potential owners by wagging their tail.
10. Smuggled puppy
During The Rolling Stone’s 1964 US tour, guitarist Keith Richards presented a collie puppy to guitarist Keith Richards. On his return to Britain, Keith smuggled the puppy under his coat. Ratbag (as the dog was named) became the musician’s favorite companion.
11.The USSR gave John Fitzgerald Kennedy a special puppy
At a state dinner in Vienna in the 1960s, US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev talked about the Strelka, the world-famous dog that was sent into Earth orbit. After that, Khrushchev presented Kennedy with one of Strelka’s newborn puppies. The puppy was named Pushinka.
12. A puppy works at the Boston Museum
The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston trained a Weimaraner puppy named Riley to find unwanted pests that could wreak havoc on art. Riley is able to detect moths and tree beetles.
13. 17-ton puppy sculpture
The mascot of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is the puppy garden. A sculpture in the shape of a puppy rises in front of the entrance to the museum and consists of 37 thousand natural flowers. The 12-meter sculpture of the West Highland Terrier weighs about 17 tons.
14. The most famous puppy in the field of cinema
The dog that starred in Lassie and its sequel was actually a boy named Pal. The trainer teaching the future screen star could not succeed in raising an active puppy. His colleague, Rudd Waterwax, was able to “tame” Pal and prepare him for filming. The Saturday Evening Post magazine ran an article claiming that Pal was enjoying “the most entertaining canine career in film history.”
15. Puppy portraits make you more productive
This conclusion was reached by scientists from the University of Hiroshima in 2012. The findings of the study were amusing: those who looked at the puppies played the proposed board game with greater focus than those who received photographs of food and adult dogs. Apparently, office workers need to hang pictures of puppies on the wall in the office and thus increase productivity. Useful products for pets.
- Dog Health Issues: Common Conditions by Breed, Size, Age
When you adopt a dog, the last thing you want to think about is the health of your dog. But a responsible owner is someone who educates themselves on how to protect their dog from serious health problems. That means understanding the most common symptoms of a sick dog and ensuring you have access to a veterinarian.
If you are concerned that your dog or cat is suffering from an illness, then it is vital that you seek veterinary advice as soon as possible. There are many illnesses that a vet can spot in their early stages. It is also essential that you continue to monitor your pet throughout its lifetime.
If you want to know more about a specific dog condition, use the links below to navigate to the appropriate sections.
Most dogs get sick at some point in their life. While we would like to think that this is a one-time thing, some of these ailments are more common than others and can actually become chronic. If a dog has an issue once, it will probably come back.
Health Concerns for Dogs by Age. Keeping a Dog Healthy and Happy.
- Sick Dog Symptoms
Dogs can’t tell us how they are feeling, so the only way to know if your dog is sick is by paying attention to the potential signs. Some of the most common sick dog symptoms include: Changes in energy level. Other typical sickness symptoms may include: A change in appetite. Changes in temperament. Weight loss. Lack of toilet training. A change in urination habits.
Sudden changes in bowel movements, or in urine, or in the frequency of urinating or defecating. An increase or decrease in pain while walking or running. Diarrhea.
In the original version, I left the first one in because it is the more common and general term. However, I do think it is important to be able to differentiate between them when referring to specific situations. For example, if someone asks “What is a cough?”, then you don’t want to have to say “What is a hacking cough?”. In the second rewrite, I added in the definition of vomiting. This is because it is the more medical, proper term to use when you are speaking about an individual. I also had to add in the definition of excessive drinking or thirst. It is important to note that you will sometimes have to be careful to differentiate between the two.
Your pet should always be taken to a veterinarian if they’re acting unusually. They can give your pet the diagnosis and treatment needed to get them back on track.
If you hold off due to fear of expensive vet visit costs and wait to see if your dog’s symptoms subside, their condition could worsen substantially. This may be an opportunity to find a better plan that will cover these expenses. Compare pet insurance plans to see which providers offer coverage for veterinary examinations, diagnostic tests, and more.
- Toxicity/Poisoning
Dogs are fun and funny. We love their wagging tails, big eyes and wiggly noses. But that’s not all that we love about them. They are also intelligent and independent. This means that dogs are often curious and driven by food, which can make them more prone to poisoning or other toxicity problems. Toxins are substances that cause harm, and they can be found in many places. Some are consumed, some are absorbed through the skin, and some enter the body via inhalation or injection. This means that you need to be aware of the toxins in your environment and that your pet could get them from your household. Find out what dangers may exist in your dog’s environment. The potential health problems of a dog can range from common to serious, so it’s important to be familiar with what conditions affect them. These include, but are not limited to, allergies, skin conditions, and internal health issues. Dermatitis and dermatologic problems in dogs. Ear infections and otitis externa in dogs. Ear infections and otitis externa in dogs. Infectious diseases of the urinary system in dogs. Infectious diseases of the urinary system in dogs. Vomiting in dogs. Vomiting in dogs. Dental disorders of dogs.
- Common Health Problems in Dogs
The most common health issue dogs face is cancer. They’re often prone to many different types of cancer.
- Arthritis
Canine arthritis is the inflammation of the joints, and it’s a very common health issue for older dogs. This type of arthritis can cause pain and stiffness, and it can limit the dog’s ability to exercise. Fortunately, there have been a lot of advancements in treatments for canine arthritis.
There are many options when it comes to treating dogs with joint pain. Medications such as glucosamine can work in addition to physical therapy and homeopathic remedies to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Dental Diseases
Dental disease in dogs is the result of an unclean mouth. According to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, over 80% of dogs will have some signs of dental disease by the age of two. In some cases, a dog’s teeth may become so rotten by bacteria that they require surgical removal to prevent the infection from spreading to the jaw and skull.
There are several ways to take care of your dogs’ teeth. One of the best ways is by having their teeth brushed at least once a day, which means brushing their teeth at least twice a day. In addition to brushing, it is also very important that your dogs are regularly given dental treatments.
- Allergies
Skin allergies are more common than food allergies in dogs. It is important to keep your dog’s skin healthy and free from scratching so that he can maintain a good coat. Itchy skin will make your dog anxious and irritable.
Just like humans, many dogs show clinical signs of skin allergies during the spring and summer when allergens are abundant and cause seasonal flare-ups. While these allergies can’t be cured, they are easy to manage with some careful diet planning and behavior modification.
Skin allergies can be treated with medication such as Benadryl for dogs, whereas food allergies may require a prescriptive diet.
- Skin Infections and Hot Spots
Skin infections are very common in dogs, especially in animals that spend time outside in the sun. These can result in a hot spot, which will often itch or hurt. Keeping your dog clean and warm is a good preventative measure, as well as seeing a veterinarian if there is an infection.
Yeast infections in dogs are a common ailment that veterinarians treat with medications and bandaging. The severity of this condition varies depending on what type of yeast it is. For instance, yeast infections in dogs are less severe than bacterial ones, but still painful.
- Benign Tumors
Benign tumors usually take the form of harmless fatty deposits or skin lumps. Unlike malignant tumors, they are unlikely to spread to other parts of the body or cause the dog serious harm. If you see any lumps on your dog’s skin, you should get them checked by a vet to determine if they are benign or not.
A biopsy is a minimally invasive surgery in which a small piece of tissue is removed from a body part in order to test its condition.
- Parasites
Some of the most common types of parasite in dogs are internal parasites (heartworms), intestinal parasites (hookworms and ringworms), and external parasites (fleas and ticks).
Parasites are living organisms that feed on the nutrients in other organisms. Parasites are present throughout the world. They are often found in the environment where they can be transmitted to humans and animals.
Note: Ringworms in dogs are caused by a fungus that infects the skin. They cause a red, itchy rash. These infections are not to be confused with ringworms in humans which are caused by a parasitic worm.
- Ear Infections
Ear infections are usually caused by the presence of bacteria or fungi. These organisms cause inflammation of the ear, which causes swelling and pain in the ear canal.
Odors are sentinels of your home. They let you know when you’re not paying attention. A dog’s sense of smell is nearly 100 times more sensitive than yours, so be sure to pay close attention to the smells around your house.
An ear infection in dogs typically causes pain, fever, and discomfort, and the most common signs include head shaking, scratching, and whining. The condition usually resolves on its own in about one to two weeks.
- Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary issues are often seen in dogs as a result of not taking the time to clean up after their business. Even when dogs are housebroken, they are still inclined to soil their beds or the floors of the house. Dogs also have specific urination habits. Some dogs will urinate outside of the litter box if they have to get to the bathroom in the middle of the night. These habits should be watched for and corrected if necessary.
In this case, the symptoms of a urinary tract infection may be easy to see: If your puppy has a bad odor in their urine, or if you notice them being uncomfortable or unable to urinate as they usually do.
Vomiting can happen for many reasons. It’s usually a symptom of a more serious problem, so take your dog to the vet right away if he is showing any of the following signs of vomiting: inappropriate urination, frequent urination, increased thirst, bloody urine, or lethargy. The cause can often be an infection, illness, or some other medical condition.
Vomiting can be a symptom of various conditions from gastrointestinal tract blockage to poisoning, disease and sometimes as a result of dietary indiscretion. You don’t have to rush to the vet every time your dog throws up but it is something you should not ignore.
It’s not uncommon for dogs to vomit, have diarrhea ,be inappetant and/or show signs of weakness. Most of the time these symptoms go away on their own. It is important to see a veterinarian if they do not get better in a short amount of time.
- Vomiting
If you notice your dog is sick, make sure you have the means to take care of him or her. If your dog has a sickness or health issue, get in touch with your veterinarian as soon as possible. If your pet is suffering from a sickness that is contagious to humans, make sure you clean the area of contact.
Vomiting can be a sign of toxicity, gastrointestinal blockage or other serious diseases. It can also be a result of a dietary indiscretion. Don’t try to guess; if your dog is throwing up, or you notice he/she is not acting right, get your vet involved.
The symptoms of diarrhea usually include abdominal cramps, profuse and loose bowel movements, mucous in the stool, and fever. Diarrhea is often accompanied by nausea and loss of appetite.
See your vet if diarrhea continues, or if it accompanies vomiting and/or lethargy. If there is also a problem with your cat’s appetite, it is probably an important enough issue to bring to the vet.
- Diarrhea
Diarrhea is typically accompanied by nausea and vomiting, which can also be caused by various medical conditions. These conditions are usually not life-threatening, but they do require medical attention. If diarrhea is chronic (persistent), it can lead to dehydration, and so requires immediate medical attention.
Your dog may be suffering from a parasite. Some common types of parasites that may affect dogs include worms, hookworms and tapeworms. They can infect puppies at any stage in their life. If your dog has diarrhea that doesn’t stop after a few days, you should take your dog to a vet.
You can educate yourself about canine parasites by looking for the right source. Canine parasite facts and information can be found through the American Veterinary Medical Association.
