It’s widely believed that all of today’s dogs are descendants of wolves, though there’s always been much speculation surrounding whether dog domestication happened more than once. Of course, it’s very easy to see that some dogs resemble wolves more closely than others. They have certain physical attributes that display their close genetic relationship — thick […]
When you think of dogs, the usual suspects pop into mind: German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Pug, French Bulldog, Spaniels, and the like. But there are plenty of exotic dogs out there that deserve awareness, too. The most exotic dog breeds in the world tend to come from faraway places, or they are a rare breed […]
When you think of spotted dog breeds, do you picture a Dalmatian? Did you know that there are actually 20 other spotted dog breeds? The other spotted breeds have different coat patterns, including ticked, speckled, mottled, merle/dapple, bicolor, tricolor, sable (light fur with black tips like a German shepherd), mantle (like a blanket), piebald, patches, […]
When you think of your dog, I’m willing to bet you don’t often think about their tongues. However, it’s a good idea to pay some attention to your pup’s mouth, especially with the vital role that the tongue plays. Besides the obvious — eating and drinking — dogs use their tongues to cool down (which […]
Wouldn’t it be weird to see a Dachshund with long legs? Or a basset hound? These dogs have reasons for being shorties, but there are dogs with long legs that have their reasons for having supermodel legs, too. It’s a body part that can even be in the anatomy of a small dog like a […]
What does Jimmy Durante have in common with an Afghan hound? They both have long noses. (And Jimmy Durante was probably funnier, but that’s beside the point.) Dogs with long snouts may be funny to look at, but the trait can also make them look sleek and sophisticated. Collies, Whippets, and Poodles have schnozzes so […]
Owning a Shih Tzu connects you to a piece of ancient Chinese history. Developed centuries ago in the Chinese emperor’s palace, the ‘lion dog’ or Shih Tzu emerged from Tibetan breeds, likely a blend of the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese. Historically cherished as royal lap dogs, shih tzu puppies were given as gifts, exclusive to […]
Have you ever wondered why some dogs have pointy ears and others don’t? One biological theory is that dog domestication caused the adrenal glands to produce less adrenaline, which resulted in fewer stem cells (also known as neural crest cells), and those cells determine traits like ears. More cells make upright ears and less cells […]
If you’ve ever seen a dog with a beard, you know all they need is a pair of spectacles and a wand to look like they’re in a Harry Potter movie. Schnauzers are obvious examples of dogs with beards, but there are more. We have nine breeds to share with you who need to carry […]
If you’ve never seen a dog with ears so big you could land a plane on them, you’re missing out. There’s something about dogs with big ears that makes them especially cute. Chihuahuas, beagles, and basset hounds all have ears that would make King Charles jealous. But does it help them hear better? Do they […]