8 Interesting Dog Facts

What’s in a Name

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Great Danes originated in Germany, not Denmark. And they are the state dog of Pennsylvania.

State Dogs

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13 states in the U.S. have designated an official state dog. Maryland was the first to designate a state dog—the Chesapeake—in 1964. Most states choose a breed that originated in the state, like Alaska’s state dog, the Alaskan Malamute, and Massachusetts’ state dog, the Boston Terrier. Georgia, however, bucked the trend, instead naming “Adoptable Dogs”—not a specific breed—as their official state canine. The choice was made to raise awareness about the plight of shelter dogs in need of homes. 

Smart Puppy

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Border Collies are the smartest dog breed, followed by Poodles, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers, according to canine researcher and frequent Modern Dog contributor Dr. Stanley Coren, Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia.

Feeling Foxy

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George Washington was a serious dog breeder who had a favourite foxhound named Sweetlips. Hoping to create a superior Foxhound, he bred his own variety, which he called Virginia Hounds. The Foxhound is the state dog of Virginia.

Watch Your Feet

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Tripping over your dog is the second most likely way to get injured around canines, reports the Washington Post. Bites are the most common.

Unselfish Pups

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A 2015 study demonstrated that dogs are among a small group of animals who voluntarily show unselfish kindness towards others without any reward. The study showed that dogs will behave pro-socially, donating food to a partner dog, but only if that dog is familiar.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

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According to an AKC survey, 45% of dogs sleep in their dog parent’s beds, 17% sleep in a dog bed, 20% sleep in a crate, 14% sleep in various places indoors, and 4% sleep in an outdoor shelter.

Scout Skills

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Scouts have been earning badges for pet care for over 80 years. The Dog Care merit badge, still earnable today, was created in 1938. As of 2021, 449,515 Boy Scouts had earned their Dog Care badge. The Pets badge was introduced in 1958, and over 690,228 badges have been earned to date.

This article was originally published in the award-winning Modern Dog magazine. Subscribe today!