15 things you probably didn’t know about your own dog

Every week Kiek shares with us 10 unnecessary ridiculous facts about everything and anything. From social media, nightmares losing weight until Mark Rutte, cats and babies; literally everything and everyone passes by, except dogs. Look, I get it, as a cat lady the first, but I certainly don't agree as a dog friend . So today especially for all my fellow dog lovers: 15 pawsome things you probably didn't know about your own dog.

1. Funny, right
Yes really, dogs laugh, it may sound strange but that doesn't make it any less true. Animal behavior experts have shown that your dog's panting can come not only from running a lot but just as well from a really good laughing fit. 

2. Sweating together
Are you sweating buckets on a hot summer day? Then you're not the only one with a sweat mustache. Or well, actually you are, but you both sweat together. Because although your dog cools off by panting, their sweat glands are located on their paw pads, which means sweating happens through their toes.

3. A dog's nose print is unique
As in: your dog's nose print is just as accurate as a fingerprint in humans for identification. Didn't know that, did you? Neither did I.

4. A social sniff
When your dog is sniffing around outside, he or she can smell exactly which dog was there before, how that dog is doing, and even when they were there. Genius, right? 

5. Smartpants
Do you have a poodle or a Border Collie? Then you are the proud owner of one of the smartest dog breeds in the world.

6. IQ what?
Is there an Afghan hound, an English bulldog, or a Chow Chow wandering around your home? These are the dumbest dog breeds on earth. Although I prefer to call them very stubborn and deaf to reason. 

7. An optimist or a pessimist?
Yes really, dogs can be optimistic or pessimistic. A case of ‘is the water bowl half full or empty?’ One better than the other? Certainly not. Research shows that optimistic dogs are very suitable as police dogs, especially when drugs or explosives need to be detected. Dogs that are more pessimistic and like to avoid risks can, in turn, be perfect assistance dogs for the blind or disabled.

8. Long live Luna
Is your dog's name Luna? I think that's really nice. One little thing... It's not very original. In the Netherlands, the name Luna is currently the most common dog name.

9. The best medicine
So it doesn't surprise me at all: dogs really empathize with their owners and other people when they are sad. New research shows that dogs can sense when we are sad and can therefore comfort us the best. Isn't that just the sweetest?

10. Haaaaatsjoe
Your dog can be snotty just like humans. Although the virus is not the same as our well-known runny nose, dogs can also feel quite lethargic and coughy because of it. I find that much sadder than a runny nose in the boyfriend, you understand that. Moo-ha.

11. Small and not so fine
Immediately apologize to all pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other ‘feared’ dog breeds. Research has shown that the most dangerous breed takes on a much smaller, longer form. On the new list of dogs to avoid, (no joke) your little, perhaps not so fine, dachshund is listed. 

12. Chat away
Dogs can understand an average of 150 words. Yes guys, that's quite different from ‘sit’, ‘down’, ‘stay’, and ‘good boy’. You can have whole conversations with a dog. 

13. Maestro, music please
Research shows that dogs do indeed love music. Usually, we just put on a nice Spotify playlist, but if you really want to treat your dog to a nice tune, try classical music. Bet that their head will be spinning in no time from enjoyment?

14. What did you say?
Your dog hears five times better than you. To put this in numbers: dogs hear 50,000 to 65,000 cycles per second and humans only 20,000. No way they don't hear you calling during a wild walk in the woods, haha. 

15. Best friends
Do you consider your dog your bestie? Your dog thinks exactly the same about you, according to research from various behavioral psychologists. In fact, a dog feels the same need for family love and friendship as you do, and they will always trust you as their owner the most.