Obviously, being a dog, I know quite a lot about canine matters… well this month I’ve decided to impart some of my extensive canine knowledge. I’ve tried to educate you on health issues over the previous months… never knowing, of course, if any of it is even sinking in. Well, here are some facts about us barking buddies you may, or may not know.

Let’s start with greyhound who, most people know, are the fastest dogs on the planet, getting up to around 45 mph… but did you also know that they originated in Egypt around 5,000 years ago? Or that they have the best eyesight of any breed of dog?

The Newfoundland breed is well know to be a lover of water and an excellent swimmer, due to their air retaining coats and webbed feet… but did you know that Basset Hounds can’t swim at all? Mind you, talking of swimming, it was recorded that three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic, a Newfoundland, a Pomeranian and a Pekingese!

Most people have heard that the Russians put a dog into space on Sputnik 2 in 1957, but not everyone knows that the dog was called Laika or that the dog called Toto in The Wizard Of Oz was really called Terry!

One of the most interesting facts I discovered whilst pawing over my research was about Chihuahuas, which, as everyone should know are named after the Mexican state of the same name and they are obviously the smallest breed of dog in the world… but the interesting thing is that, like us humans, they are born with a soft spot in their skulls, and like us, it just closes up as they get older. Weird!

Obviously, being a dog of superior intelligence, I could go on and explain all sorts of facts about our superior race… but instead I’ll just leave you with a warning. Just remember, more people were killed in the U.S.A by dogs in one year than have been killed by sharks in the last 100 years! So next time you’re watching Jaws, have a look at your pooch… and be afraid… very afraid.

Author: Ben