3 Fascinating Dog Facts You Might Not Know

Dogs are part of our everyday lives, but there are still so many fascinating things about them that can surprise us. From the way they see the world to features of their bodies that we rarely notice, dogs are far more interesting than they sometimes get credit for.

Here are three dog facts worth knowing — with a little more detail about what is actually going on.

Adult Dogs Have 42 Teeth

An adult dog normally has 42 permanent teeth, which is more than the 32 teeth most adult humans have.

Dogs don't start life with all of these teeth. Puppies are born without teeth, and their first set of baby teeth begins appearing when they are only a few weeks old. Puppies normally have 28 baby teeth, which are gradually replaced as their adult teeth develop.

By the time most dogs are around six months old, they will have their full set of adult teeth.

Those 42 teeth aren't all designed to do the same job. Different types of teeth have different purposes.

The small incisors at the front help dogs nibble and pick things up. The longer, pointed canine teeth are particularly useful for gripping. Further back in the mouth, the premolars and molars help with cutting, crushing and chewing food.

This is also why looking after a dog's teeth is important. Plaque and tartar can build up on their teeth just as they can on ours, so dental care should form part of a dog's regular health routine.

Next time your dog gives you a big grin, remember — there are 42 teeth hiding in there!

Find out more: https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/dogs/health/dental/canine-dental-anatomy

Dogs Don't See the World in Black and White

One of the most common myths about dogs is that they can only see in black and white.

Dogs can see colour, but they don't experience the same range of colours that humans do.

Humans usually have three types of colour-sensitive cone cells in their eyes, allowing us to distinguish a wide range of colours. Dogs have two main types, which means their colour vision is more limited.

Dogs are particularly good at seeing blues and yellows.

Colours such as red, orange and green are harder for them to distinguish and may appear as duller yellowish, brownish or greyish shades.

This can actually be useful to remember when choosing toys. A bright red toy might stand out clearly to us, but it may be much harder for a dog to spot against green grass. A blue or yellow toy may be easier for them to see.

So your dog certainly isn't looking at a completely black-and-white world — their world simply has a different colour palette from ours.
Find out more: https://vcahospitals.com/knowles-central/know-your-pet/do-dogs-see-color

Dogs Have a Third Eyelid

Here's one that many dog owners don't realise:
dogs have a third eyelid.

Along with the upper and lower eyelids that we can easily see, dogs have another protective structure called the nictitating membrane.

It is located near the inner corner of the eye and normally isn't very noticeable when a dog is awake and healthy.

The third eyelid has several important jobs. It provides additional protection for the surface of the eye and helps spread tears across it, keeping the eye lubricated and healthy.

It also contains a gland that produces part of a dog's tear film.

Most of the time, you probably won't notice your dog's third eyelid at all. Occasionally you may catch a glimpse of it when your dog is very sleepy or just waking up.

If the third eyelid suddenly becomes very prominent, stays visible, looks swollen or appears unusual, it can be worth speaking to a vet.

It might be hidden most of the time, but this little extra eyelid plays an important role in protecting your dog's eyes every day.
Find out more: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine – Cherry eye in dogs 

Dogs Are Full of Surprises

From 42 adult teeth to seeing a world dominated by blues and yellows, and even having a third eyelid, there is much more going on with our dogs than we can see at first glance.

Learning little facts like these can help us understand dogs better — and they're also a great reminder of just how fascinating our four-legged companions really are.

How many of these three facts did you already know?🐾