Dogs have been faithful companions to humankind since as far back as the Stone Age, and it is not just because they are so dang cute. They are intelligent in a way that is ideal for humans, a state of affairs that was entirely intentional; over the millennia, humans bred dogs to be perfect canine companions. At any moment in history, the smartest dog breeds have served as more than best friend to man: They have been navigators and field guides, wartime comrades, detectives, garbage collectors, movie stars, and security consultants, as renowned canine researcher and professor Stanley Coren, PhD, points out in his iconic book The Intelligence of Dogs. Dogs are among the few animals that have traveled to space, and they have saved countless lives, both literally and metaphorically. “There are three types of dog intelligence,” says Coren, who defines canine smarts by the way dogs interact with humans. The first is “instinctive” and focuses on what the dog has been bred by humans to do. The second is “adaptive,” or how well the dog learns from its environment to solve problems. The third is “working and obedience,” or how hard the dog is willing to work to please its people and do its jobs. What underpins all three is the desire and ability to communicate effectively with humans—both by understanding signs from its owner, actions, and commands, and by expressing itself via barks, body movements, and actions. The average dog can understand 160 words, according to Coren, and some dogs comprehend as many as 250 or more. But what may be even more fundamental to effective communication between dogs and humans is that dogs, as a general rule, actually care. “Dogs are very attentive to and responsive to us,” Alexandra Horowitz, head of the Dog Cognition Lab at Columbia University Barnard College, told the American Kennel Club (AKC).
2023-08-22 00:00:00
Lauren Cahn
Giant dogs or extra large dog breeds are large and in charge—of your heart. Despite their ginormous and intimidating size, they are teddy bears on the inside with their human families. Many giant dog breeds are in the working group, meaning they guard, protect or serve in some way. Given that mindset, they tend to be remarkably loyal and affectionate with their humans, but often aloof with strangers—at least until proper introductions are made. Giant dog breeds take up a lot of square footage at home or in the car and it can be challenging to maintain control of the leash if you need to reign them in or coax them along if they decide to do things their own way. The gorgeous and stately breeds featured below are 100 pounds or more. Keep in mind the lower weight range is for females and the higher end is males. Biggest dog breed in the world: Great Dane- Great Dane’s will hog the whole sofa, but you won’t care because they are so patient, easy-going, and don’t bark much. And as far as tall dog breeds go, they’re the high-rise of canines, especially when they are on their hind legs. A Great Dane named Zeus was an astonishing 44 inches tall at the shoulder when he was named the World’s Tallest Dog by Guinness World Records in 2012. On his hind legs, he towered over 7 feet! Great Danes (which are also a brindle dog breed) have big appetites and big hearts, but those big hearts are predisposed to heart conditions.
2023-08-21 00:00:00
Lisa Marie Conklin
Dogs, often hailed as humans’ best friends, have been the topic of many scientific studies looking into how they might boost our well-being. In this Spotlight, we’ll explain how your friendly pup can benefit your health across the board. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), an estimated 78 million dogs are owned as pets in the United States. It is unclear when dogs were first domesticated, but a study Trusted Source published last year claims that, at least in Europe, dogs were tamed 20,000–40,000 years ago. It is likely that humans and dogs have shared a special bond of friendship and mutual support ever since at least the Neolithic period — but why has this bond been so long-lasting? Of course, these cousins of the wolves have historically been great at keeping us and our dwellings safe, guarding our houses, our cattle, and our various material goods. Throughout history, humans have also trained dogs to assist them with hunting, or they have bred numerous quirky-looking species for their cuteness or elegance. However, dogs are also — and might have always been — truly valued companions, famed for their loyalty and seemingly constant willingness to put a smile on their owners’ faces. In this Spotlight, we outline the research that shows how our dogs make us happier, more resilient when facing stress, and physically healthier, to name but a few ways in which these much-loved quadrupeds support our well-being. How dogs keep you in good health - Many studies have suggested that having dogs as pets is associated with better physical health, as reviewsTrusted Source of the existing literature show. These findings persist.
2018-08-26 00:00:00
Maria Cohut, Ph.D.
Here at the AKC, we never get tired of learning more about dogs, whether it’s a new study on canine behavior, a statistic from our database, or even just cool facts about a dog’s impressive physical and mental abilities. You may know some of these already, and others may be more of a “wait, really?” situation, but we think you’ll find all of them entertaining. Check out these 30 fun dog facts. 1. The Labrador Retriever has been on the AKC’s top 10 most popular breeds list for longer than any other breed. 2. A dog’s nose print is unique, much like a person’s fingerprint. 3. Forty-five percent of U.S. dogs sleep in their owner’s beds. 4. Speaking of sleeping … all dogs dream, but puppies and senior dogs dream more frequently than adult dogs. 5. Seventy percent of people sign their dog’s name on their holiday cards. 6. A dog’s sense of smell is legendary, but did you know that their nose has as many as 300 million receptors? In comparison, a human nose has about 5 million. 7. Rin Tin Tin, the famous German Shepherd Dog, was nominated for an Academy Award. 8. Dogs’ noses can sense heat and thermal radiation, which explains why blind or deaf dogs can still hunt. 9. The French Bulldog was first named the most popular breed in 2022. 10. The name Collie means “black.” (Collies once tended black-faced sheep.) 11. Yawning is contagious — even for dogs. Research shows that the sound of a human yawn can trigger one from your dog. And it’s four times as likely to happen when it’s the yawn of a person your pet knows. 12. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the only breed named for a fictional person, a character in the novel “Guy Mannering” by Sir Walter Scott. 13. Dogs curl up in a ball when sleeping to protect their organs — a holdover from their days in the wild, when they were vulnerable to predator attacks. 14. The Basenji is not technically “barkless,” as many people think. They can yodel.
2023-08-02 00:00:00
AKC Staff
Snuggling next to my kitties while their furry chests softly rumble is a proven antidote to the day’s stress. As they woof that down, take a moment to reflect on all that your dog brings to you. Perhaps it is you, dear owner, who is getting the treat – the gift of good health. Dogs and cardiovascular health - A 2019 analysis of nearly 4 million people in the United States, Canada, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom found dog ownership was associated with a 24% reduction in dying early from any cause. If the person had already suffered a heart attack or stroke, having a dog was even more beneficial; they were 31% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease. The study has been criticized for not controlling other diseases, social economic status and other factors that might confound the results. Still, another large study published around the same time found people who owned dogs had better health outcomes after suffering a major cardiovascular event such as heart attack or stroke. The benefit was highest for dog owners who lived alone. Heart attack survivors living alone who owned dogs had a 33% lower risk of death compared to survivors who did not own a dog. Stroke survivors living alone with a dog had a 27% reduced risk of death. The American Heart Association lists a reduction in diabetes to the list of health benefits of dog ownership. “People who walk their dogs regularly face one-third the risk of diabetes of those who don’t own a dog,” the AHA said. In addition, owning a dog (or other pet) may provide important social and emotional support and is a “powerful predictor of behavior changes that can lead to weight loss,” the AHA said.
2021-08-26 00:00:00
Sandee LaMotte