Dogs as food
In certain cultures, dogs are raised on farms and slaughtered as a source of meat. Consequently, the conflicts between dog lovers and dog eaters occasionally appear as headline news. In other cultures, dogs have served as a standby source of food. One example is in China where Chow Chows were often posted to guard family storehouses. During a hard season when the food store was depleted, the dog would be then slaughtered as an emergency ration.
See also Gaegogi.
Dog reproduction
Unlike undomesticated canine species, where the females typically come into estrus (also called in season or in heat) once a year, usually in late winter, and bear one litter of young, the female of the domestic dog can come into season at any time of the year and usually twice a year. Most dogs come into season for the first time between 6 and 12 months, although some larger breeds delay until as late as 2 years. The amount of time between cycles varies greatly among different dogs, but a given dog's cycle tends to be consistent through her life.
Dogs bear their litters roughly 9 weeks after insemination.
An average litter consists of about six puppies, especially for breeds that have not strayed too far from their wild ancestors. However, litters of many more or only one or two puppies are also common. Some breeds have a tendency to produce very large litters. Since a mother can provide milk for only a few of those puppies, humans must assist in the care and feeding when the litter exceeds eight or so.
Some breeds have been developed to emphasize certain physical traits beyond the point at which they can safely bear litters on their own. For example, the Bulldog often requires artificial insemination and almost always requires cesarian section for giving birth.
Puppies often have characteristics that do not last beyond early puppyhood. For example, eyes are often blue when they first open but change to other colors as the puppy matures. As another example, Kerry Blue Terrier puppies have light-colored coats when they are born and their distinctive "blue" color appears gradually as the puppy nears maturity. The ears of erect-eared breeds such as the German Shepherd Dog are softly folded at birth but straighten as the puppy grows.
Miscellaneous Facts
Dogs and the Zodiac
The Dog is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. It is thought that each animal is associated with certain personality traits. See: Dog (Zodiac).
Sirius, the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the night sky.
Dogs and Perspiration
A common misconception is that dogs do not sweat. Primarily, dogs regulate their body temperature in a completely different way, through their tongue. That is why after a dog has been running or on a hot day you will see its mouth wide open and tongue hanging out. In addition, dogs effectively sweat through the pads of their feet. Again, on a warm day and after exercise even on dry ground or pavement, you can see a dog's wet footprints on a smooth floor.
A Fine Sense of Direction
It has been observed that a lost dog can often find its way home, sometimes travelling over long distances. It is believed that dogs and cats know the correct position of the sun at their homes. When lost, the animal notes the angle of the sun as it travels, and moves in the direction that indicates that the angle is becoming correct.
Diseases and Ailments
Most diseases that affect dogs or humans are not transferable between the two species. There are some exceptions:
- Rabies, or Hydrophobia, is an often fatal disease that can be transmitted to humans by dog bite. Areas that do not have the disease, such as Australia or the U.S. state of Hawaii, have strict quarantine laws to keep their territories rabies-free.
- Parasites, particularly worms such as tapeworms and roundworms, can be transmitted in a dog's saliva or feces.
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