Why do dogs lick our faces? This and Georgia’s most Googled questions answered
If you’re like most dog owners, every day is Dog Day, but it officially became an international “holiday” in 2004 when its founder, Colleen Page, felt compelled to highlight the plight of dogs in shelters all over the world. She was inspired by her family’s first dog, adopted when she was 10.
Aug. 26 is International Dog Day and in honor of the day, we’ve found the answers to your most pressing canine-related questions.
These are some of the most frequently Googled questions about dogs and their wacky behaviors.
Why do dogs eat grass? (82,000 monthly searches)
A dog may feel compelled to eat grass for several reasons, but the most common assumption is that they have an upset stomach, according to PetMed.
The truth is that no one knows for sure. However, there are a few theories out there:
Instinctive behavior - this habit may be left over from their wolf ancestors.
Nutrient supplementation - Even though dogs can’t really digest grass, they may be missing some important nutrients, and they eat grass to correct it.
Curiosity - Some dogs, particularly younger dogs, like to explore with their mouth, and grass may be something they tried and then liked.
How long do dogs live? (29,000 monthly searches)
The only acceptable answer for any pet parent is “not long enough” but unfortunately, there are limits on the time we have with our furry family members.
Longevity is often directly related to breed size, says the American Kennel Club, and can be a major determinant of life expectancy. Of course, all dogs are different these are just averages.
Small breeds, like Pomeranians or Chihuahuas, typically live longer with an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
Medium breeds generally have a lifespan of 10 to 13 years. Dogs like Cocker Spaniels and Australian Shepherds fall into this breed category.
Large breeds usually live between eight to 12 years and this includes Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds.
Giant breeds such as Great Danes or St. Bernards, have the shortest life expectancy of eight to 10 years.
Why do dogs lick you?(60,000 monthly searches)
The BBC Science Focus has a pretty gross answer to this question and involves a fair amount of regurgitation. Although it is mostly a social behavior and usually a greeting from adult dogs, puppies have a more practical reason for the constant licking.
According to an animal behaviorist,” Puppies generally learned to lick their mother to greet her, and also encourage her to get food. The mother will then regurgitate material for the pup to eat.”
It’s rare to see an adult dog licking the face of another adult dog and the puppy-like behavior is performed for their humans. The sheer act of becoming the dog’s caregiver encourages a sort of lifelong puppyhood, decided by the dog itself.
Why do dogs eat poop? (45,000 monthly searches)
Whether your dog likes to eat their own feces, those in the cat box, or just simply any other pile along their walk, it’s completely normal. In fact, it’s called coprophagia and is seen in roughly 25% of all dogs, cites The Kennel Club.
The simple answer is that it just tastes good to them. They probably wouldn’t eat it otherwise, and it’s packed full of interesting information about the original owner.
Aside from the taste, there could be a few other reasons:
Mimicking their mother’s behavior
Hungrier dogs eat poop more often
Boredom or stress
Possible medical causes such as diabetes, thyroid issues or worms
What are the most popular dog breeds?
These dogs may not necessarily be the most popular, but they are certainly some of the most photogenic. In celebration of International Dog Day, the online comparison service Betpack.com conducted research to find out which dog breeds are dominating Instagram, and these are the top few, with the number of times they have been posted.
French Bulldog: 39,949,907 posts
Golden Retriever: 38,282,145 p
Chihuahua: 37,298,727
Labrador: 27,529,196
Pug: 24,942,859
Poodle: 24,701,148
Bulldog: 24,335,660
Pomeranian: 23,254,226
German Shepherd: 21,792,194
Dachshund: 21,577,739
Have any snaps of your international dog that you’d like to share? Send me an email or find me on Instagram.
This story was originally published August 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM.
