A small brown and white dog rolls happily in the grass.

Behaviour

7 Fun facts about dogs that will surprise you

Dogs are amazing animals. We’ve compiled a list of interesting facts about dogs that may completely surprise you. Find out the funniest ones!

April 12, 2025

Estimated reading time 2 min read

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Aside from their ability to love their humans so unconditionally, they also have a bunch of other extraordinary skills and traits. Did you know:

A woman her dog enjoying playtime in the park together.

1. A ONE-YEAR-OLD PUP IS AS PHYSICALLY MATURE AS A 15-YEAR-OLD HUMAN

Keep in mind that breeds do age differently. Large breeds tend to age faster than small breeds.

2. DOGS CAN UNDERSTAND YOU

You might not think your dog can understand a word that you’re saying, but that’s not the case. Dogs can recognise up to 150 words. Depending on the type of dog breed you have, and how much time you spend training him or her, it could be more.
Even if you dog hasn’t learned quite so many words, many dog owners will be very aware how good dogs are at reading our facial expressions, tone of voice and emotions and showing us empathy. Why else would we call the dogs, mans best friend?

3. DOGS SWEAT THROUGH THEIR FEET

It’s true! Your dog’s sweat glands are in their paw pads but they cool primarily through panting rather than sweating, or perhaps by jumping into a pool. So when your dog wants to stand in a puddle or pool of water on a hot day or after exercise, don’t get in the way, your pooch may just need to cool down.

A woman in a yellow jacket in a field teaching her dog to shake paws.

4. A DOG’S BITE IS ALMOST 3X THE STRENGTH OF A HUMAN BITE

Remarkably, dogs have ten more adult teeth than humans (42 versus 32), but the real measure is in the power of their jaw. Tests done on a German shepherd, American pit bull terrier and Rottweiler found their bite to measure 320 pounds of pressure, versus a human bite which measures 120 pounds.

5. DOGS CAN DETECT HUMAN ILLNESS

Dogs are able to identify changes in your scent and behaviour during the early stages of disease and disorders such as diabetes, cancer or epilepsy. Trained dogs can even alert you about your illness in advance by picking up on subtle changes that you may not even notice.

6. DOGS CAN SMELL YOUR FEELINGS

You may not wear your heart on your sleeve, but you wear it in your scent, and your dog can certainly smell it, especially when you become nervous or fearful and begin to sweat.

7. DOGS CAN DREAM LIKE HUMANS

This is a precious sight to see—your dog may quiver, twitch a leg or softly bark while sleeping. These are all indications that your pet is dreaming.

When it comes to dogs, there really is so much more than meets the eye. They really are complex, exciting animals willing to do whatever it takes to love and protect you for life.