LCSO K-9 Sniffs Out 250+ Pounds of Weed During I-80 Traffic Stop

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

If you have an English setter, then you likely know these working dogs are excellent at finding prey, especially birds. They earned the named “setter” due to the way they sit and mark their quarry, but they’re also easily trained to scare birds into flight on hunts. Despite their adept hunting skills, English Setter Association refers to the pooches as gentlemen by nature.

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– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

Often mistakenly thought of as a miniature Doberman pinscher, “min pins” are very much their own breed. These diminutive dogs are so full of energy, they’re often called the “king of toys” due to their stately appearance. If you’re a miniature pinscher owner, take care not to let your companion become bored–without mental stimulation and exercise, their stubborn side is sure to come out.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

Silky terriers are often employed as show dogs, and not just because of their graceful looks. This breed is known for being eager to learn; as a result, they’ve been known to start picking up commands when they’re just 8 weeks old. The silky terrier excels in athletic events, including herding, agility, and flyball.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

It’s believed that the Norwegian elkhounds once worked alongside Vikings during big game hunts. Thousands of years later, they remain true working animals. The Norwegian elkhound’s tracking skills are so superior they’re often found on search-and-rescue teams, and their independence and attentiveness make them ideal service dogs as well.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

The origin of the Kerry blue terrier is so mysterious they are sometimes referred to as the “leprechauns of the dog world.” Ultimately, it’s versatility that defines the Kerry’s personality–these dogs want to learn and work, and have done jobs that range from herding to assisting police.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

Many people are likely familiar with Cairn terriers thanks to the “Wizard of Oz,” because of Dorothy’s beloved Toto–and you can find them in other films like “Twister” and “Hocus Pocus.” These hard-working yet stubborn dogs will not give up on a task until it’s complete, even if it means diving into the ocean after an errant otter.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

If you have an American Eskimo dog, you should consider agility training to keep your dog engaged. In the 19th century, the breed became circus dogs thanks to their trainability, and they are the first known breed to learn how to walk a tightrope.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

The Gordon is the largest of all the setters, and they’re as smart as they are big. If any breed can dispel the myth that old dogs can’t learn new tricks, it’s this one. Gordon setters have superb memory skills, and they’re known to become sharper hunters as they age.

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– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

While they look imposing, American Staffordshire terriers are true companion dogs. They’re so gentle in nature that they’re affectionately known as “nanny dogs” thanks to their patience with children.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

The Australian terrier holds the distinction of being the first breed to originate in Australia. While they possess some of the stubbornness that characterizes all terriers, the Australian terrier is known for being more amiable than its rowdier cousins.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

Newfoundlands were a favorite of “Peter Pan” author J.M. Barrie, who based the Darlings’ dog “Nana” on his own loyal companion. These remarkable animals take loyalty to extreme measures. More so than other breeds, a Newfoundland has been known to put itself between its owner and danger–whether alerting them to house fires or pulling them from pools.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

While the field spaniel is a fast learner, these shy dogs prefer not to be pushed too hard during training. If you truly want to please your field spaniel, nurture its retriever instincts to provide the intellectual and physical engagement it craves.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

During World War I, Briards were invaluable helpers who carried ammunition, served as watchdogs, and worked with the Red Cross. They remain protective of their family and are ideal for sheep herding due to their fearlessness.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

One of the rare mild-mannered terriers, this breed is eager to dig tunnels. In fact, these pups are the Houdinis of the dog world–there are precious few areas they can’t use their wit and above-par digging skills to escape from.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

It’s not unusual for the Bouvier des Flandres to be mistaken for a small bear due to its fur and unique gait. These diligent dogs share little else in common with bears besides their looks. Due to their even tempers and focus, they’re often the police dog of choice in European countries, including France and Belgium.

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– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

Known as the king of the terriers, the Airedale is the largest terrier breed. They have a fearless past as messenger and ambulance dogs during WWI. Their work ethic also means that they thrive in traditional German Schutzhund training, which centers on the principles of obedience, tracking, and protection.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

The Portuguese water dog was made famous as the pet of choice for the Obama family. These sharp animals make excellent therapy and hearing dogs due to their willingness to learn complicated commands.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

A battle-tested breed on the list, giant schnauzers make superior guard dogs due to their substantial size, as well as their history as natural protectors during World War II. While they’re quite intelligent, the respect of these dogs must be earned before they will respond to commands.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

They may look dainty, but Yorkshire terriers are known as the “tomboy toy.” While they’re small, these pups love to participate in dog sports, train to become therapy dogs, and travel with their humans. Thanks to their unwavering confidence, Yorkies are up for almost anything.

– Class: Above-average working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 15-25 repetitions
– Obey first command: 70% of the time or better

The Puli is a bright dog that bores easily when it comes to repetition. In their native homeland of Hungary, they’re prized sheepherders. Their intelligent and patient nature also means they’re an excellent choice of pet for the elderly or a family with children.

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– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Vizslas are true overachievers, as evidenced by the breed’s status as the first American Kennel Club quintuple champion. Their high ranks in conformation, field, obedience, and agility are likely why the breed is one of the top three preferred bomb-sniffing dogs by the TSA. Vizslas also worked alongside rescuers at Ground Zero after 9/11.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Irish water spaniels’ webbed feet come in handy when they dive in the water after their prey, but don’t assume the breed is all about work. In fact, they’re also known as the clowns of the spaniel family for their rollicking nature and impressive curly coats.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Few breeds are as fearless or as eager to work alongside humans as the Belgian Malinois. Dogs of this breed have been known to work alongside Navy SEALs and police officers across America. They’re also happy to go on adventures with their owners–even if that means skydiving is involved.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Weimaraners have been referred to as “the dog with the human brain.” They excel in outsmarting their owners, whether snatching extra treats or escaping their kennels. During the Cold War, they were used to find missile parts because of their tracking skills.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Not only are Pomeranians smart, they tend to attract brilliant owners as well. The fluffy pups may have inspired Chopin’s “Waltz of the Little Dogs,“ and Michelangelo had one for a companion. Queen Victoria and Teddy Roosevelt were also fans of the breed.

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– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Used as decoys to lure unsuspecting birds into the path of hunters, the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever would also fetch them (as their name implies). They continue to be considered superior hunting dogs, and that same helpful nature makes them a breed that is happiest doing whatever their owner desires.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

While they make terrible guard dogs because of their sweet nature, cocker spaniels have more than earned their spot among the smartest breeds. Two notable examples: In 2015, a cocker spaniel named Fudge graduated alongside his owner from Edinburgh Napier University, and YouTube sensation Bella Boo mastered more than 250 tricks.

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– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Few breeds are as eager to please their owners as the energetic Brittany spaniel. Their affability paired with muscular build has led to their history as superior hunting partners and show dogs.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

The English cocker spaniel can often be found serving as an assistance dog for children with special needs. Because they are both easy to train and naturally playful, they make ideal helpers and companions for kids.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Unlike many breeds, the standard schnauzer is a true pack animal that is unlikely to attach itself to a singular member of the family. These scrappy dogs’ history as vermin catchers, guard dogs, and dispatch carriers has led to them being excellent pets for people looking to add a loyal member to their family.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

They may not be as popular as labs or goldens, but the flat-coated retriever is a loyal companion whose past as a hunting dog makes it the perfect exercise partner. In dog shows, they tend to excel in agility, tracking, and obedience competitions.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

German short-haired pointers are first-rate hunting dogs. These triple-threat canines are adept at pointing, retrieving, and hunting prey. In addition to making great pets for active owners, these dogs are also sometimes used for search and rescue teams.

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– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Collies were bred to be herding dogs, but they’re perhaps best known as heroic go-getters thanks to the TV series “Lassie.” Given their keen problem-solving skills–honed from years of wrangling sheep–collies might be one of the few breeds that could actually figure out a way to help someone out if they, say, fell into a well.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

The Keeshond is sometimes referred to as the “Smiling Dutchman” because of the way their lips curl up into what looks like a grin. It’s an appropriate look for a dog that’s eager to problem-solve, even if that means digging a trench in the summer to keep cool.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Schipperkes once spent a great deal of their time on barges protecting food sources from rats. That instinct has carried over to the modern era–this tenacious breed will happily guard your possessions from everyone (including even you if the mood strikes). That being said, the Schipperke is eager to learn–especially if treats are offered.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Holding the distinction of winning the first AKC herding championship, the large Belgian Tervuren has a gift for picking up commands quickly. They’re ideal dogs for both the police and the military.

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– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

If you’re looking for the quintessential show dog, the English springer spaniel is the breed you need in your life. At the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, they hold the distinction of winning Best in Show six times.

– Class: Excellent working dogs
– Understanding of new commands: 5-15 repetitions
– Obey first command: 85% of the time or better

Queen Elizabeth II’s dog of choice has a magical history: According to Welsh legend, it was once used to pull the coaches of fairies. With a whimsical backstory and plenty of smarts, is it any wonder this breed is so popular?

– Class: Brightest dogs
– Understanding of new commands: Fewer than 5 repetitions
– Obey first command: 95% of time

Rottweilers inspire fear in some people, but the breed’s trainability means they’re just as good at being therapy dogs as they are for doing police work. They do have a protective streak which, paired with their strength, makes an ideal match for home protection. However, this smart breed is willing and capable of learning almost anything a confident owner wants to teach them.

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– Class: Brightest dogs
– Understanding of new commands: Fewer than 5 repetitions
– Obey first command: 95% of time

Papillons are little, but they’re not your average lapdog: This high-energy breed earned a reputation for hunting rats throughout a cunning style of harrassment. Today, they prefer to channel their curiosity into activities like puzzles and agility training.

– Class: Brightest dogs
– Understanding of new commands: Fewer than 5 repetitions
– Obey first command: 95% of time

Labrador retrievers are every bit as loyal as pop culture has led you to believe. In fact, a lab named Endal is thought to be the most decorated dog in the world, having received numerous commendations for his role as a service dog for British Naval veteran Allen Parton. The bright animal can do laundry, shop, and follow hundreds of sign language commands.

– Class: Brightest dogs
– Understanding of new commands: Fewer than 5 repetitions
– Obey first command: 95% of time

Shetland sheepdogs possess strong herding instincts, so they enjoy nothing in life more than having a job to do. One of the most important jobs these versatile animals can take on is that of a medical alert dog. Their keen senses make them the perfect companion for people with illnesses that require a watchful eye.

– Class: Brightest dogs
– Understanding of new commands: Fewer than 5 repetitions
– Obey first command: 95% of time

Because of their tireless service during WWII, many Dobermans are buried in the National War Dog Cemetery. The fierce protectors looked after soldiers during the night, led patrols, and sounded the alarm when enemies were approaching. They continue to give back to humans today as service dogs.

– Class: Brightest dogs
– Understanding of new commands: Fewer than 5 repetitions
– Obey first command: 95% of time

A true family dog, golden retrievers are as faithful as they are intelligent. The breed’s ability to quickly pick up on commands has led to their use in search-and-rescue teams and as service dogs. Their affable spirit means they not only get along with humans but with other animals as well.

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– Class: Brightest dogs
– Understanding of new commands: Fewer than 5 repetitions
– Obey first command: 95% of time

Acting, police work, messengers–the third-most intelligent breed is a true working dog. Because they pick up on commands so quickly, German shepherds have an uncanny ability to take on a wide array of jobs. Whether they’re running into battle or mastering new tricks to impress their owners, German shepherds are eager to put their learning abilities to good use.

– Class: Brightest dogs
– Understanding of new commands: Fewer than 5 repetitions
– Obey first command: 95% of time

While poodles are often characterized by images of wealth and fanciness, the second smartest dog breed has a rich history of hunting and even time in the circus. Without proper training, these bright dogs are sure to assume the alpha role in your house; it’s best for their owners to keep them engaged through activities like puzzles, agility training, and word recognition.

– Class: Brightest dogs
– Understanding of new commands: Fewer than 5 repetitions
– Obey first command: 95% of time

If you own a border collie, congratulations–your dog is likely the smartest pup at the park. Drawing on a storied history as sheep dogs, collies can follow directions via hand signal, whistles, or your voice. Border collies are famous for the ability to solve complex problems, while notable collies like Chaser are capable of learning over a thousand words.

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A dog’s sense of smell is more sensitive than that of humans. A dog’s nose contains around 800 different types of olfactory receptor cells, which is about twice as many as in humans. The olfactory bulb, the part of the brain that processes smells, makes up 1.95% of the volume of a dog brain but only 0.03% of a human brain.

With that sensitive equipment in their snouts and brains, dogs can detect odors even when they are unbelievably weak. Experiments have shown that dogs can detect a test chemical at a ratio of one part per trillion. In one experiment, dogs could identify the smell of ovarian cancer in a single drop of blood.

Dogs know what direction a smell is coming from because they can tell that it’s very slightly stronger say in the left nostril than in their right. Smells also change with age, and dogs can detect that: A tracking dog can tell which way someone went by the difference between the age of the smell of more recent footsteps.

Like many animals, dogs have the vomeronasal organ (VNO) in the roof of the mouth, which detects pheromones. This is one reason dogs may lick things we think are gross, including the urine of other dogs—to get it closer to that organ. Along with their sense of smell, this lets dogs know many things about other dogs by what they’ve left behind, such as their sex and how long ago they were there.

The mirror test is an experiment that’s supposed to show if an animal has self-awareness. Put a mark on their body when they’re unconscious, and if they touch themselves there when looking in a mirror, they know it’s their reflection in the mirror. Dogs haven’t been able to pass the mirror test. However, one researcher has argued that dogs do pass the test if you do it in a way that tests the sense that’s important to them: they can distinguish their own urine from that of other dogs.

A dog’s retina contains mostly the kinds of receptors called rods, which require less intense light to function, and fewer cones, which are responsible for color vision. They have only about 3% cones, compared to a human’s 5%, so they can see better than humans in the dark.

It’s often claimed that dogs can’t see color, or that they can’t tell the difference between red and green, but this is an oversimplification. Dogs have only two types of cones where humans have three; while research on how dogs’ color vision works is still ongoing, experiments have shown they can distinguish colors. They can also use other cues, including brightness and intensity, so no need to throw away your red balls—they can find them on the green grass.

The highest pitches discernible to the human ear are around 20 kilohertz, whereas dogs can hear up to 45 kilohertz. This ability probably evolved so they could hear the high-pitched sounds of small prey like mice. However, while dogs can hear those “silent” dog whistles that you can’t, high-frequency sounds don’t carry as far or pass through objects, so they’re only useful in limited situations.

Ever notice how your own name seems to jump out at you from the sounds of a crowd? Scientists call this the “cocktail party effect,” and it’s been tested in dogs. They can hear their name when it is the same loudness as the background noise—something human infants can’t do. However, human adults can even hear their name when it’s softer than the background, which dogs can’t. So be patient with your dog in an extremely noisy place—he may not just be ignoring you.

Despite years of research and billions of dollars of investment into artificial scent detection, dogs still beat technology. High-tech sensors built by the military to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs) only detect about half, while dogs can find 80%. And while we now have systems that can detect a smaller amount of a chemical than a dog can, they’re huge and complicated and can’t be used in the field. You can bring a sample to the machine, sure, but it can’t go out and hunt for it as a dog can.

A recently published study has discovered that dogs can detect weak thermal radiation—or warmth—with their noses, at a distance. Dogs could reliably tell the difference between two objects, one warm and one room temperature, that were 1.6 meters away, even though they looked and smelled identical. Functional magnetic resonance imaging showed that a particular part of their brain was activated when detecting the warmth.

Neuroscience has shown that your dog really does think you’re special. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of dog brains show that the caudate nucleus, which responds to something pleasurable, shows a more robust response to the smell of a familiar person than to that of a stranger or a familiar dog. And it’s not just because you feed him. In another study, dogs’ brains showed just as strong a response to the expectation that their owner would appear and talk to them as to the anticipation of a treat.

Behavioral research has shown that dogs rely on us in many ways, just like children rely on parents. Both dogs and infants feel more secure about exploring when their caregiver is present. In experiments, when a baby sees something scary, they decide whether to approach depending on whether their parent acts like the thing is OK, and dogs do the same with their owners.

You may feel embarrassed when someone catches you talking to your dog in a high-pitched voice, but you don’t have to be, because a study has shown that dogs prefer it. And actually, we don’t talk to dogs exactly like we talk to babies—we use the same pitch and intonation, but we intuitively leave out the vowel exaggeration that’s thought to help babies learn to speak.

Dogs definitely can learn to respond to human language: One famous border collie named Chaser knew over a thousand words. But visual signals come more naturally to them. In one study, dogs learned to fetch objects by their name and by pointing. Then, experimenters tested what happened if the commands contradicted each other. They found that dogs would fetch the object pointed to, rather than the one named. So while using gestures for commands seems a bit awkward if you’re not a professional trainer, it’s easier for your dog to understand.

Dogs are good at reading our emotions. In fact, they can tell whether we’re angry or happy just from our expressions in photos, without the help of body language or our voices. In one study where dogs learned to tell the photos apart by being rewarded with a treat for touching them, dogs who were treated for touching the angry face learned more slowly, because they seemed to be reluctant to approach it.

Owners think they can tell when their dog has done something wrong because they show a “guilty look.” But a study showed that dogs gave the guilty look when their owners believed they’d done something wrong, even if they hadn’t. And they didn’t give a guilty look when they actually had disobeyed, but the owner believed they had been obedient. The look is a reaction to the owner’s anger and fear of being punished—not to what the dog itself has done.

Your dog may seem to know when you’re sick or upset and need comforting, and some studies have supported this. In one study, dogs were in a bigger hurry to push through a door to get to their owner when she was crying than when she was humming. But don’t expect them to rescue you like Lassie does in the old movies. In another study, dogs did not try to get help from a bystander when their owner pretended to be stuck underneath a fallen bookcase.

You know that sad look your dog makes when she wants your food? Dogs actually have a special muscle to lift the inner eyebrows to make that look, which is not found in wolves. To human eyes, the expression makes them look babyish and sad, so we probably accidentally selected for it in the course of domestication because we find it endearing, and it triggers a nurturing response.

Advertisements tempt you to buy dog food because it’s full of meat, and grain-free dog food seems to be a trend that is here to stay. But dogs’ bodies have changed in many ways in the course of domestication, including their digestive system. A study comparing dog and wolf DNA found that they have evolved to have more copies of the gene to produce the protein that breaks down the starch in the intestines, and lab studies showed that they should be five times better at digesting it. This change allowed them to take advantage of a wider range of our food sources as they evolved to live alongside humans.

If your dog lips his licks or ‘air-licks’ when there’s no tasty food around, it probably means he is stressed or worried. It’s thought to originate as an appeasement gesture that attempts to defuse conflict with other dogs. In one experiment, dogs licked more often when experiencing an unnerving social situation, like a strange person walking directly toward them. In another, they licked more frequently when looking at photos of angry faces than photos of happy faces.

Domestication causes changes in an animal’s body, making them less fearful around humans. Rather than fleeing in terror like a wild animal, dogs actually produce fewer stress hormones in our presence. Interacting with a person also causes dogs to produce spikes in hormones associated with pleasure and bonding, including oxytocin, and one study showed a particularly strong effect of gazing into one another’s eyes, a similar effect found in mothers and infants.

A study found that after running, both dogs and humans have blood elevated levels of an endocannabinoid, a neurotransmitter that signals the reward center of the brain that something is pleasurable. Unlike humans and dogs, this pleasurable effect isn’t found in ferrets, a species that doesn’t run long distances to catch prey.

Mother dogs wean their puppies at around eight weeks of age. In a study where people were asked to rate the cuteness of dogs at different ages, it turns out that eight weeks is when we find puppies cutest. This is when they’re sent away to fend for themselves and need to find a human to bond with and care for them, and they’ve evolved to be most appealing to us at precisely that time.

Using similar experimental methods as those used on infants, dogs can be shown to have a sense of numbers. If you show them a treat, hide it with a screen, appear to add a treat, and then lift the screen to reveal three treats, they will look at it for longer than when they see the expected two treats. Brain scanning studies also show that they use the same part of the brain as humans to process numbers.

This commonly repeated equation has no basis in fact. There isn’t one simple number you can use because humans and dogs age at different rates. A 1-year-old dog is in mid-to-late adolescence, not equivalent to a 7-year-old child. A 2-year-old dog is a young adult. After that, you could roughly say it’s one year to five years, but that still doesn’t account for the fact that different size dogs have different lifespans (small dogs live longer than large dogs).

Another commonly repeated bit of conventional wisdom is that you shouldn’t play tug of war with your dog, because it will cause behavior problems, especially if you let him win the game. This is also largely a myth. A study tested dogs on a set of behavioral measures before and after playing tug of war and found that they increased on a quality called “obedient attentiveness,” regardless of whether they won or not. There was no effect on a measure of confidence, so no evidence that the dogs became bossier or more “dominant.” The most playful dogs did seek more play and attention after being allowed to win, so just don’t let them win every time.

Behavior issues in dogs are often attributed to them wanting to be “dominant,” but this is based on long-discredited research. It derives from a claim about wolf packs that turned out to be inaccurate because the research was done with captive groups that did not have natural relationships. What’s more, dogs are different from wolves in many ways, and research with feral dogs has shown that their groups don’t have the same social structure.

Another behavior myth says that you should ignore your dog before leaving the house, instead of petting and making a fuss, lest you cause separation anxiety. However, a study that compared when owners petted their dogs before leaving them alone to when they didn’t found that dogs that had been petted showed more calm behaviors and a lower heart rate.

The American Kennel Club (AKC), the major dog breeds registry in the U.S., currently recognizes 193 breeds. But the Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes over 300 breeds worldwide.

It makes sense that there must be more breeds than are part of a registry like the AKC, because the “new” breeds have to come from somewhere. The AKC recognizes new breeds every year, most recently the barbet and the Dogo Argentino.

Today a dog breed is defined by pedigree and form: A pug is a pug because both its parents were pugs and because it looks a particular way. But this idea of “purebred” only goes back to the late 19th century. Before that, dog breeds and types were defined by their function rather than their looks or who their parents were.

The first nine purebred breeds were recognized in the U.S. by the AKC in 1878. They were mostly hunting and sporting breeds, including some that are uncommon today, like the Clumber spaniel and Gordon setter.

According to the most recently released AKC statistics, the most popular breed is the Labrador retriever; it’s held that spot for 28 years. But this is just among dogs registered with the AKC, and there’s no way of accurately counting unregistered purebreds and mixed-breed dogs.

Many of us let our dog sleep on the bed, and advice about whether this is a good thing to do is all over the place. A recent study found that at least for women, it’s more restful to have a dog in the bed than another person. The findings reveal that 55% of the women who responded to a questionnaire shared their bed with at least one dog, and most reported that the dog disturbed their sleep less than a person.

Do you feel like yawning when you see someone else yawn? It’s called contagious yawning, and dogs do it too. It’s thought to be a sign of empathy, and a study at the University of Tokyo found that dogs were more likely to “catch” a yawn from their owner than from an unfamiliar person.

Most U.S. presidents have been dog people: 30 out of the 45 have had pet dogs. One is even commemorated in a presidential memorial. There’s a statue of FDR’s Scottish terrier, Fala, at the FDR Memorial in Washington D.C.

The first president of the U.S. was a dog lover, and he even helped create a new breed. The American foxhound was derived by crossing his line of English hounds with a French breed he’d been given by his friend Marquis de Lafayette.

Dogs have fewer taste buds than we do: around 1,700 compared to our 9,000. This may be no surprise to anyone who’s seen some of the gross things they’ll eat. However, like us, most do get bored of the same flavor all the time, so vary your training treats for the better results.

Dogs’ taste buds respond to the same basic chemicals as ours, but there’s one big difference: they don’t crave salt. Because their diet in nature was heavy in meat, which contains plenty of sodium, they didn’t need to evolve a drive to seek it out.

Dogs do dislike bitterness, but the taste buds that sense it are at the back of the tongue. So those bitter sprays might keep your dog from chewing the furniture, but only once he’s taken a nice deep bite of it.

A dog’s whiskers are not purely decorative. They are highly sensitive to touch, and a large part of the sensory cortex of the dog’s brain is devoted to processing their messages. They are an important way they sense the world, so they should never be trimmed.

Greyhounds are the fastest-running breed and can run over 35 miles per hour. This beats the fastest recorded speed for a human, which was around 27 mph.

It’s sometimes been claimed that dogs can’t watch TV, because their visual system needs a higher refresh rate (number of images per second) to perceive smooth motion. However, many experiments successfully test dogs with video on TV screens, and modern TVs have a higher refresh rate than old ones, so now television looks better to dogs as well as humans.

Many dogs kick their back legs behind them after they defecate, but they’re not trying to cover it up like a cat. Rather, it’s one of the ways they mark their territory, with the pheromones secreted by glands in their feet.

Dogs do have sweat glands, including in their paw pads, which help them release a little of their body heat. But because the rest of their body is covered with fur, sweat wouldn’t evaporate to cool them off, so they mainly cool down by panting.

Dogs vary in size more than any other species of mammal. Some breeds weigh less than 10 pounds, and others can weigh up to 200 pounds. You can hold a Chihuahua in one hand, while the Irish wolfhound is typically over 30 inches tall at the shoulder.

We’ll never be able to ask a dog what he dreamed about last night, but evidence suggests that they do. Humans dream when in a state called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and dogs show the same sort of brain activity during sleep. So when they’re twitching, foot paddling, and making noises in their sleep, they’re probably dreaming.

Just like humans, dogs’ brains may start to have impaired functioning in old age. Signs of what’s called canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) can include disorientation, pacing, getting lost in familiar places, and staring into space. See your vet if you notice these symptoms because some drugs and supplements can help.

Ever wonder why your dog takes so long to find the right spot and position to poop? Well, part of it is because dogs prefer to align their body along a north-south magnetic axis when defecating. Scientists don’t know why, but it proves that they can sense the Earth’s magnetic field.