Dogs

Farm dogs like Border Collies are super smart and can learn to understand the names of many objects—sometimes even over 1,000!

Guide dogs are trained to disobey commands that might put their handler in danger!

Airport security dogs can detect substances in concentrations as low as one part per trillion!

Some dogs are trained to detect diseases like cancer with up to 97% accuracy!

Herding dogs can understand complex whistled commands from over half a mile away!

Fun Records and Statistics

As of 2023, the smallest living dog is a Chihuahua named Pearl, who is just 3.59 inches (9.12 centimeters) tall!

The heaviest dog ever recorded was an English Mastiff named Zorba, who weighed 343 pounds (156 kilograms)!

As of 2023, the longest dog tongue ever measured belonged to a boxer named Rocky, and was 5.47 inches (13.89 centimeters) long!

As of 2022, the longest ears on a living dog belong to a Black and Tan Coonhound named Lou, and measure 13.38 inches (34 centimeters) each!

As of 2014, the most expensive dog ever sold was a Tibetan Mastiff that cost $2 million!

Amazing Adaptations

A dog’s fur can either keep them warm or cool depending on the weather, acting like a natural thermostat!

A dog’s nose has two separate air passages – one for breathing and one just for smelling!

Dogs have special muscles in their ears that allow them to move each ear independently!

The ridges and bumps on a dog’s nose (called the rhinarium) are as unique as a human fingerprint!

Dogs have specialized pads on their paws that give them extra grip and help them feel vibrations in the ground!

Some dogs have webbed feet that make them excellent swimmers!

Communication Facts

Dogs can make at least 10 different sounds, including the bark, howl, growl, and whine!

When a dog shows the whites of their eyes (called “whale eye”), they’re usually feeling anxious or stressed!

Dogs express happiness through their whole body, not just their tail!

When dogs tilt their heads, they’re often trying to hear better and show they’re paying attention!

Dogs can smell fear, anxiety, and even sadness in humans because these emotions change our body chemistry!

A dog’s tail position can tell you a lot about how they’re feeling — straight up means alert, horizontal means curious!

Fun and Unique Facts

Some dogs can learn a new command in as little as 5 repetitions and remember it for their entire life!

Dogs process words and tone of voice in different parts of their brain, just like humans!

Dogs understand fairness and will refuse treats if they see another dog getting better rewards for the same task!

The longest living breed on average is the Australian Cattle Dog, with a typical lifespan of 12–16 years!

As of 2020, the record for most tennis balls held in a dog’s mouth at once is 6, set by a golden retriever named Finley!

The most expensive dog wedding cost $158,187.26 and took place in New York City in 2012!

As of 2017, the highest jump by a dog was measured at 75.5 inches (191.7 cm), performed by a greyhound named Feather!

As of 2018, the record for most tricks performed by a dog in one minute is 49, set by a Border Collie named Hero and his owner Sara Carson!

As of 2004, the fastest time to open a car window by a dog is 11.34 seconds, set by a Border Collie named Striker!

As of 2007, the largest dog wedding ceremony included 178 dog couples, held in Littleton, Colorado.

The longest dock dive by a dog was 36 feet 11 inches (11.2 meters), set by a Whippet named Sounders!

As of 2016, the record for fastest 10 meters on a walking ball by a dog is 33.22 seconds!

As of 2015, the longest tail on a dog measures 30.2 inches (76.8 centimeters), belonging to an Irish Wolfhound!

As of 2017, the fastest time for a dog to pop 100 balloons is 36.25 seconds, set by a Whippet named Toby!

The most expensive dog collar ever sold cost $3.2 million and was made with diamonds!

As of 2022, the record for most skips by a dog and person in one minute is 59 jumps!

As of 2023, the fastest time to complete an agility course by a dog is 31.11 seconds!

As of 2022, the record for most dogs balancing a treat on their nose at once is 109!

As of 2019, the longest continuous dog grooming session lasted 72 hours and 30 minutes!

The most expensive dog house ever built cost $417,000 and includes air conditioning and a pool!