{"id":237120,"date":"2025-06-01T10:13:30","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T10:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/uk\/?p=237120"},"modified":"2025-09-26T08:16:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T08:16:25","slug":"dog-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/discover\/animals\/general-animals\/dog-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"10 awesome dog facts!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Ready to learn some <em>paw-<\/em>some dog facts? Then you&#8217;re in the right place! Join <strong>National Geographic Kids<\/strong> as we get the lowdown on our <em>fur<\/em>-tastic friends&#8230; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dog-facts\">Dog facts!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-3.jpg\" alt=\"Dog facts | two dogs run together through a green field, under a sunny blue sky\" class=\"wp-image-238610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-3.jpg 635w, https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-3-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">1.  Dogs are the most popular pet on the planet!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>third<\/strong> of ALL households around the world have a dog. These playful, friendly, loyal animals make great <strong>companions<\/strong>, but they can also be fierce and tough <strong>protectors<\/strong>, or intelligent<strong> helpers<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">2.  They evolved from a now-extinct species of wolf.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dogs were the first animal domesticated (tamed) by humans, over 20,000 years ago! As they evolved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/discover\/animals\/general-animals\/autumn-animals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wolves<\/a>, their <strong>skulls, teeth <\/strong>and <strong>paws shrank<\/strong>, and they became more <strong>docile <\/strong>and <strong>obedient<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center\">FUN FACT! <\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Evidence from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/discover\/animals\/prehistoric-animals\/a-quick-guide-to-fossil-hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fossils<\/a> suggests that five types of dog had evolved by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/discover\/history\/general-history\/bronze-age-wheel-britian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bronze Age<\/a>, around 4500BC. These were <strong>mastiffs<\/strong>, wolf-type dogs, dogs similar to greyhounds, pointing dogs and herding dogs. <em>Bow wow! <\/em><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">3.  They can learn over 100 words and gestures!<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-2.jpg\" alt=\"Dog facts | a dog sits holding their paw up in the air, waiting for a treat to be given\" class=\"wp-image-238612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-2.jpg 635w, https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-2-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Dogs are thought to be as smart as <strong>two-year-old children<\/strong> (and much easier to train!), so many owners teach them <strong>commands <\/strong>and <strong>tricks<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">4. Dog noses are at least 40x more sensitive than ours! <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These clever canines have an incredible <strong>sense of smell<\/strong> \u2013 allowing them to follow <strong>scent trails <\/strong>days after they were left. Amazingly, <strong>bloodhounds<\/strong>&#8216; sense of smell is so spot on that it can be used as <strong>evidence<\/strong> in court!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center\"> FUN FACT! <\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Dogs also have fantastic hearing! They can detect high-pitched noises and spot sounds from much further away than humans can.<\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">5. Many work as assistance dogs, helping humans! <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-5.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-5.jpg\" alt=\"Dog facts | a golden assistance dog stands beside their owner. They are wearing a safety vest with an orange reflector on the front, and a lightweight harness held by their owner.\" class=\"wp-image-238613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-5.jpg 635w, https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-5-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Many dogs are trained to work as <strong>guide dogs<\/strong>, helping <strong>blind <\/strong>people get around safely. Others are <strong>assistance dogs<\/strong>, who keep their owners <strong>calm <\/strong>and <strong>safe<\/strong>, while some brave hounds are <strong>search and rescue dogs<\/strong>, who help human rescuers save people from danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center\"> WEIRD BUT TRUE!<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Some working dogs are trained to use their super senses to sniff out <strong>explosives <\/strong>and <strong>illegal goods<\/strong>, or alert humans to <strong>potentially<\/strong> <strong>dangerous health issues<\/strong>. Wow! <\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">6. They only sweat from their paws, and have to cool down by panting. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The sweat is much <strong>oilier <\/strong>than humans&#8217;, and it contains lots of <strong>chemicals <\/strong>that only other dogs can detect. Weirdly, it also makes many dog paws smell of <strong>cheesy crisps<\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">7.  They can be right or left-pawed! <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-1.jpg\" alt=\"Dog facts | a dog places their paw against a human hand\" class=\"wp-image-238615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-1.jpg 635w, https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-1-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Like humans, most dogs have a <strong>dominant <\/strong>hand \u2013 or in their case, paw! To figure out which one it is, you can conduct a <strong>simple science experiment<\/strong>&#8230; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch a dog moving from standing still to walking forwards. Do they start walking with their left leg, or their right? Watch several times, noting down the starting leg each time, and see if there&#8217;s a <strong>pattern<\/strong>. Many dogs will often lead with the <strong>same leg <\/strong>\u2013 their dominant one! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">8. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/discover\/history\/egypt\/ten-facts-about-ancient-egypt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ancient Egyptians<\/a> saw dogs as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/discover\/history\/egypt\/ancient-egypt-gods\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">god-like<\/a>! <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ancient breeds like the <strong>Saluki<\/strong> lived in the <strong>lavish palaces <\/strong>of Egyptian <strong>royalty<\/strong>! The pampered pooches had <strong>their own servants<\/strong>, were decked out in <strong>jewelled collars<\/strong>, and ate only the <strong>finest meats<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center\">WEIRD BUT TRUE!<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Dead rulers were often buried with their doggy pals, as they believed the hounds would protect them from harm in the afterlife. <\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">9.  Dogs use body language to express their feelings.<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-4.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-238614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-4.jpg 635w, https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DogFacts-4-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>From their <strong>ears<\/strong> to their <strong>eyebrows<\/strong>, <strong>shoulders<\/strong>, and <strong>tail<\/strong>, dogs often use <strong>signals<\/strong> and <strong>smells<\/strong>, rather than <strong>sound<\/strong>, to communicate! Their <strong>posture<\/strong> makes a big difference, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next time you see a dog <strong>interacting<\/strong> with a person or other dog, pay close attention. Are they shrinking themselves down small, or standing up big and tall? What do you think they&#8217;re <strong>trying to say<\/strong>? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">10. Owning a dog is a BIG responsibility! <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like humans, dogs have <strong>feelings<\/strong> and <strong>needs<\/strong>, and they have to be <strong>taken care of properly. <\/strong>They need <strong>regular walking<\/strong>, <strong>healthy food<\/strong>, a <strong>clean, cosy place to sleep<\/strong> and lots and lots of <strong>love and affection<\/strong>! Make sure you and your family think carefully before you get a dog (or any pet!) to make sure you have the <strong>time <\/strong>and <strong>means <\/strong>to take one on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"what-did-you-think-of-our-awesome-dog-facts-tell-us-in-the-comments-below\">What did you think of our awesome dog facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ready to learn some paw-some dog facts? Then you&#8217;re in the right place! Join National Geographic Kids as we get the lowdown on our fur-tastic friends&#8230; Dog facts! 1. Dogs are the most popular pet on the planet! A third of ALL households around the world have a dog. These playful, friendly, loyal animals make &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/discover\/animals\/general-animals\/dog-facts\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">10 awesome dog facts!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":258443,"featured_media":238604,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"christmas-category":[],"class_list":["post-237120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-animals","countries-australia","countries-ireland","countries-new-zealand","countries-south-africa","countries-united-kingdom"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Dog facts for kids! | National Geographic Kids<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sink your teeth into 10 awesome dog facts from Nat Geo Kids! 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