Dogs are known to be a human’s best friend and rightly so! Dogs are surely one of the most loved and popular pets in the world and come in many different breeds.
Dogs can perform many kinds of functions such as hunting, herding, protecting, pulling loads, safety, assisting police and other forces, and also aiding handicapped individuals. In certain cultures, dogs are also considered a great source of meat.
1. A Decade Of Dog Trends
Labrador is one dog breed which has been at the top of the popularity list of dogs for the last ten years whereas the rising star is the French bulldog which is slowly moving up the pack. The least wanted dog is the Cocker Spaniel. The dog population in the US increased by 18 million from 2010 to 2011.
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2. Choose The Best Dog Food
Some types of dog foods are wet and dry food, table scraps, home cooked food, wet food and dry food. While buying dog food, you should always read the labels and avoid ingredients such as ground whole corn, meat and bone meal, animal fat and ground wheat containing food items.
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3. Where Our Dogs Live
The most likely source of adding a dog to household is Shelter followed by rescue group, breeder, friend, Stray, stranger etc. Some of the most popular dog breeds are Labrador retriever, German shepherd, Golden retriever, beagles, bulldogs, Yorkshire terriers and Boxers. Bella is the most common female dog name whereas Max is the most common male dog name.
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4. Dog Bites
A whopping 4.5 million dog bites occur each year and one out of every 5 bites requires hospitalization. Infact one person dies of a dog bite in every 9.6 days across the world. Most fatal dog bites are from Pit bulls followed by Rottweiler’s and German shepherds.
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5.The Great Breed Checklist
Some of the most popular dog breeds in US are Labrador retriever, German shepherds, Yorkshire terriers, Beagles, Golden retrievers, bulldogs, boxers and dachshunds.
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6. Are You A Cat Person Or A Dog Person?
62% of the US homes have at least one pet. Cat people are more likely to be women whereas dog people are most likely to be men. Cat people are more likely to be creative and liberal whereas dog people are more likely to be agreeable and trusting.
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7. Dog Bites In The US
It is a fact that 800000 Americans seek medical attention for dog each year. Sex, age and environment play a role in deciding who is at risk from a dog bite. An alarming number of non-fatal dog bites occur among children and infact approximately 42% of dog bite victims were under the age of 15. About 26% of the injuries are on the legs and the feet.
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8. First Dogs And Their Presidents
George Washington had 30 hounds whereas Thomas Jefferson owned a dog called Buzzy. Abraham Lincoln’s dog suffered a violent death, just like him. It is a fact that 32 of the 44 US presidents had dogs as pets.
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9. Dog As A Family Member
36% of the dog owners give their dogs present on their birthdays and 16% have bought a car or a home with their dog in mind. 53% dogs sleep in their owners’ bedroom while 27% have taken a family picture with their dog.
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10. Dog Dander
It is estimated that 10% of the US population suffers from allergic reactions to household animals. Some of the most common pet allergens cause that trigger the flare ups are saliva, urine and pet dander. There is a dog breed called Non shedders which are less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
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11. Dental Care For Your Dog
Dog tooth care really matters because more than 80% of the dogs develop some degree of periodontal disease by age 3 and this affects the gums of the dogs. Some signs of oral and dental disease in dogs are bad breath, loose teeth, discolored teeth, drooling and weight loss.
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12. Dog Bites By The Numbers
It is a fact that about 31000 people undergo a reconstructive surgery as a result of a dog bite. Males are more likely to be bitten by dogs and children aged 5-9 are more likely to be bitten. The average dog bite claims accounted for one-third of all homeowner’s liability insurance claims and cost nearly $479 million.
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13. The Evolution Of Dogs
The 7 different groups of dogs are the Gundog, the hound group, the working group, the herding group, the terrier group, the toy group and the utility group. Many scientists believe that dogs are direct descendants of Canis Lupus which is the grey wolf.
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14. Roll And Stroll With Your Dog
Some of the most popular breeds for dog walkers are Corgi, Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever and Yorkshire terrier. The top 7 activities for dog walkers are listening to music, jogging, playing with the dog, going on roller boards, teaching tricks, walking a different route each time and hiding treats so that dog can find it.
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15. Facts About Dog’s Body
To maintain the health of a dog’s ears, keep water out of the ear canals and keep them dry. To take care of a dog’s eyes, use a cotton ball and saline solution to clean the mucus. Daily canine dental brushing and rinsing is very important for the teeth of the dogs.
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16. Everything You Need To Know About Dog Skin Problems
Most skin problems in dogs are caused due to mange, mites, allergies and dog ticks and these are likely to lead to itchy dogs. Some symptoms to look out for to detect skin problems in dogs are itchiness, greasy coat, dull looking coat, lumps and bumps and hair loss.
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17. How Pets Are Good For Your Health
Pets are good for your health due to a lot of reasons such as stress reduction, lowering blood pressure, healing from heart attacks and staying skinny. They also provide you with better mobility and help in the lowering of your blood cholesterol. The only thing to watch out for is pet allergies.
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18. Choosing Your First Pet Dog
While choosing your first pet dog, one must keep certain things in mind. You would have to incur certain financial costs such as food and treats, vets bill, vaccinations, medication, toys, insurance, equipment and training class’s costs etc. Some other things which have to be kept in mind are the size of the dog, the age, the physical maintenance and breed of the dog.
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19. Why Owners Should Control Their Dog
Some common areas where dogs are most likely to bite are face, lips, nose, hands and arms. The insurance industry pays more than $1 billion on dog bite claims every year. Some tips to prevent dog bites are don’t run past a dog, don’t scream if a dog threatens, avoid eye contact with a dog and don’t approach a strange dog.
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20. Cats vs. Dogs
The annual cost of petting a dog is more than that of petting a cat. Cats are self groomers whereas dogs need to be groomed by their owners. Cats are also easier to house train than dogs but both of them need a lot of exercise. Dogs need 30 calories per pound a day whereas cats need 20 calories per pound a day.
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