Fun Facts About Dogs

by Richard Torregrossa

We take dogs on walks, on car rides, on vacations to the shore. We've even taken them into outer space! Everyone knows that canine companions are man's best friends, but did you also know that:

During World War I, Airedale terriers carried messages to and from the front lines? In Japan, companion dogs can be rented for ten to twenty dollars an hour? The hairless cane nudo breed of Mexico was bred to serve as a personal space heater? Some dogs have such remarkable powers of empathy that they take on the illnesses of their owners?

Whether you're a first-time owner or a seasoned dog lover, you'll be entertained, informed, and delighted by the stories in Fun Facts About Dogs. Read about the mysterious "angel dog" who escorted a woman safely through a dangerous city park; pick up some feeding and training tips that'll make your dog healthier and happier; and learn why dogs tuck their tails between their legs when they are frightened!

The perfect gift for anyone who's crazy about canines, Fun Facts About Dogs is the pick of the litter when it comes to quips, tips, and amusing anecdotes. With dozens of tales and more than 120 whimsical illustrations, this lively canine treasury will remind you why it is we can't get enough of those adorable, steadfast, eager-to-please pups!
Fun Facts About Dogs
Good Luck Dogs
In many cultures, dogs are considered powerful good-luck charms with the ability to ward off demons. In ancient China, for instance, the sentinels responsible for guarding the imperial court dressed in canine costumes and barked away evil spirits.
Dogs and the Rain
Dogs often hesitate before venturing intothe rain. It's not because they're afraid of getting wet, but because the rain amplifies sound and hurts their sensitive ears.

About the Author:
Richard Torregrossa is an author, artist, and journalist whose books include The Little Book of Wisdom, Fun Facts About Babies, and The Man Who Couldn't See Himself: A Love Story. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and now living in San Diego, California, he recently illustrated Daily Meditations for Women Who Love Too Much, by bestselling author Robin Norwood.

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Cats, Dogs

Hardcover

First published August 1, 1998

Reviews

[Amanda McGough]

I really did learn some fun facts about dogs.

[Tami]

I think that cat owner and cat lover are synonymous. Once you have a cat (or more accurately a cat chooses you), it's hard not to delight in their mischief, in their attitudes, and in their affection.

Fun Facts About Cats is an entertaining trivia book for cat lovers. The entries range from interesting information about cat behaviour (why they scratch furniture, eat grass, why they sleep so much, and why they always choose to sit on that Great Uncle that hates cats) through inspiring tales about cats who rescued humans, lived for weeks without food or water, or were left millions of dollars to accounts of various cat lovers and haters throughout history. There are also some great cat quotes and examinations into the validity of various cat myths such as if cats always land on their feet and if they have nine lives.

Whether your Fluffy likes to lounge all day or your Tiger chooses to save your family from burglars, every cat lover will find some little tidbit of information that they didn't previously know about their cat.

[Aria]

I thought I was learning some nice facts about our canine companions. However, on p. 25 I read that eating snow might cause spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, which the book claims can lead to a cold. Well, that's the dumbest crap I've read in a long time. Viruses cause colds. Neither rain, damp weather, becoming chilled, sitting by a draft, the eating of snow, or an intestinal spasm will cause a cold. Acquiring the particular virus that can cause a cold, is how one catches a cold. This is true for all animals, including both canines & humans. Obviously, if this book was so very wrong about something so basic & well-understood, then none of the rest of the information in here is to be trusted. A minimum of research would have prevented something so ridiculous from being printed. This is a definite fail by the author, a fail by the editor(s), & a fail on the part of the publishers. ----- This book shouldn't have been hard to not fuck up.

[Margaret]

Read this last night during TV commercials. Love the illustrations! And I learned some interesting things that I did not know such as ... cats are right or left-handed (or should that be pawed?) ... how tabby cats got their name ... that Napoleon suffered from ailurophobia (fear of cats).

I liked this particular quote by Joseph Wood Krutch: "Cats seem to work on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want."

[Mayda]

This little booklet is chock full of quips, facts, quotes, and proverbs about felines. Charmingly illustrated by the author, you can’t help but smile as you read it. You are sure to find some answers as to why your cat acts the way she does. Also included is a bibliography and a handy list of resources for feline fanciers. (And a plug for another of the author’s books, Fun Facts about Dogs. Equal time for canines!)

[Nuclearster]

The gathered knowledge of cats and the fact that can inspire me to have some cats. Smile will appear on your face as reading it.

[Missy]

This was such a cute book. I got it as a present when I got my first cat. I've read it several times.

[Maria]

Great book!

[Joanne]

A cute and fun book. Nicely illustrated.

I was surprised to learned Eisenhower banned cats form the White House, but Lincoln loved cats.

[Andreasaria]

Delightfully illustrated little book with (some surprising) cat trivia.

[Fardar]

A shord read (1 hour max) of some collected facts about cats. The largest numb. of kittens born to a single female cat is 420! Gosh! الناس بالناس والقطة بالنفاس arabic proverb makes more sense now!