The More You Know

By Andrew Munford

Our pups are our best friends, our closest companions, and in a lot of cases (hopefully) our furriest family members.

Veterinarians and researchers are constantly finding new tidbits that change the way we see our canine companions. We've compiled 5 facts below that you may not know about your pup.

1. Cesar Millan is a noted dog training expert. His website stated that dogs can pick up on our feelings and emotions through our perspiration.

“Your pup can pick up on subtle changes in your scent, which can help him figure out how you are feeling — such as by smelling your perspiration when you become nervous or fearful.”

2. The classic poodle haircut we're all familiar with wasn't originally created as a fashion statement. The Massachusetts Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals states that the haircut was more about function than anything.

“The Poodle haircut was originally meant to improve the dog’s swimming abilities as a retriever, with the pom-poms left in place to warm their joints”

3. The MSPCA also lets us know how our pups can hear a bag of chips opening from across the house.

“Dogs are capable of locating the source of a sound in 6/100ths of a second by using their swiveling ears like radar dishes.”

4. For anyone that's raised a new puppy, we can all relate to the terrible teething phase. The furniture sitting in the corner of the house that we try our best to hide from company.

Falls Road Veterinary Hospital lists on their website that our pups develop a full mouth of permanent teeth between four and seven months of age. Hide your chairs and valuables during this time and have some patience for your pup as they test out their new chompers.

5. Caledonia Vets has a great fact that can help you gauge your pup's temperature during the hot summer. Their bodies are inherently warmer than humans so it's important that we keep them as hydrated as possible.

With that being said, don't freak out if your pup is warmer than you expect. A dog’s normal temperature is between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything above 103 and you should get your furry friend some shade and water.