International Dog Day | Fun Quiz!

Colleen Paige, a conservationist, dog trainer, author, animal welfare advocate and a pet lifestyle expert found International Dog Day on 26 August 2004, as on this day, his family adopted a dog named Sheltie when Colleen was merely ten years old. International Dog Day is celebrated every year on 26 August to encourage more and more people to adopt dogs.

This day celebrates all dogs, irrespective of their breed, size, and shape for their loyalty and faithfulness and always being a best friend. The day also mark the contributions of dogs in bringing about a positive change in the lives of people all across the length and breadth of the globe. Thereby it aims to encourage people to take good care of dogs as they too deserve a good life.

Here are some interesting facts about dogs

• Not all dogs have fur or hair.
• The Cane Corso was once considered rare.
• Pugs are one of the original dog breeds.
• The Chow Chow sports a solid blue, black, or purple shaded tongue.
• The dog breed with the loudest bark is the Golden Retriever.
• The German Shepherd is fiercely loyal to his main guardian, forming a tight-and-lasting bond.
• The Great Dane originates from Germany, not Denmark.
• The Maltese is South Korea’s favorite breed.
• The Shiba Inu is Japan’s oldest and smallest breed.
• The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog.
• The Old English Mastiff is the largest breed of dog.

• At one time, only the elite could afford a French Bulldog.
• The Rhodesian Ridgeback was once referred to as a lion dog.
• The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the official dog of Maryland.
• The Norwegian Elkhound is the original Viking dog.
• The Prairie Dog is not actually a dog.

• Your dog’s nose print is unique.
• Dogs see the world in blues and yellows.
• A wet dog nose is beneficial for a dog’s sense of smell.
• A dog’s nose has up to 300 million olfactory receptors.
• Dogs are like 2-year-old toddlers.
• A medium- to large-size, 1-year-old-dog is physically about 15 years old in human years.

• Puppies reach adulthood by the time they’re 1 to 2 years old.
• Puppies don’t sleep as much as human babies.
• Adult dogs can sleep up to 14 hours a day.
• Small dogs live longer than large dogs.
• Small breeds produce the smallest litters.
• Puppies are unable to see or hear until about 10 days to 2 weeks old.

• Dogs would love a new toy every day.
• A dog owner’s personality plays a large part in shaping their dog’s behaviour.
• How you train your dog has a direct impact on your dog’s behaviour.
• Dogs have been man and woman’s best friends for about 23,000 years.
• Women played a large role in domesticating dogs.

• Dog fossils have been found as far back as 3,000 to 4,000 years ago.
• There are currently about 471 million pet dogs in the world.
• Around the world, Europeans have the most active dogs.
• Across the world, Vizslas, Spaniels, Terriers, and Pointers are the most active breeds.
• The largest dog walk ever took place in the U.K.
• The world’s favourite time to walk their dog is 6 p.m.
• The most famous canine influencer in the world has just over 32 million followers across social media.
• The world’s largest assistance dog organization has trained tens of thousands of dogs for blind or partially sighted people.
• The Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has operated its animal shelter since 1871.
• The African wild dog is endangered.

• The first dog to ride cross country in a car was a bully breed.
• The Saluki is believed to be the first domesticated dog breed.
• The first seeing eye dog paired with the average person was a German Shepherd named Buddy.
• The first service dog training school started in the U.S. in 1929.
• In 1957, the first dog went to space riding Sputnik 2 and orbited the Earth.
• German Shepherds were the first breed of police dogs.
• The first U.S. Navy Sea, Air, and Land, or Navy Seal, dog was a Belgian Malinois.
• The first dog to be covered by pet insurance in the U.S. was Lassie, the infamous television dog who saved Timmy from the well.
• The first cloned dog was an Afghan Hound. The first Hero Dog Awards honoured eight special dogs for bravery, skill, and compassion.
• One of the first cartoon dogs was a character named Snowy from The Adventures of Tintin.

• Dogs can sniff out disease.
• Therapy dogs have been helping people for more than 100 years.
• An ice-skating Labrador Retriever helps kids with disabilities using his on-ice skills.
• Dog-friendly hotels are a must for 25 million dog owners who travel.
• The Afghan Hound may become extinct by 2025.
• A dog’s paws are cleaner than a human’s shoes.
• A dog’s ears can measure over 2 feet in length.
• The Norwegian Lundehund has six toes and eight pads on each paw.
• The longest-lived dog was 29 years old.

• When you yawn, your dog is more likely to return the favour and yawn as well.
• In 2021, dogs were named after Olympians, celebrities, and the pandemic.
• People love to name their dogs after food and drink.
• The most-watched, and subscribed to, dog on YouTube is a Beagle named Maymo.
• A Golden Retriever achieved the world record for holding five tennis balls in the mouth at one time.
• In 1931, a Poodle inherited $15 million, making the dog the richest dog in the world.