There are several pets that human beings would care much about especially pets such as dogs. Usually they are referred to as “man's best friend” for the kindness, loyalty and services they have rendered to human beings for a very long time.

Dogs have always helped us; they have been around us for almost 12,000 years. Due to their unique set of abilities, dogs can help us hunt for food and also at the same time provide us protection. There are many things that we should know about our best friends. Here are some fun facts that you should know about dogs.

• The belief that dogs are color blind are very untrue. It is just a myth and has been proven several times by researchers and scientist.

• A dog that has been a year old dog is equivalent to a fifteen year old human in terms of physical maturity. Also the average lifespan of dogs is around 15 years old.

• The country with highest population of dogs belongs to the U.S. and the second belongs to France. Those nations have individuals that consider their dogs as their family members. They enjoy the company of dogs around them and who could blame them; dogs are very helpful in our lives.

• It is believed that all dogs can swim in the water; however, there is a type of dog that cannot. Basset Hounds are the breed that actually cannot swim.

• The fastest dogs in the planet are the Greyhounds which have the speed of 45 miles per hour; faster than the recorded fastest man on the planet. Those dogs can actually outrun our human athletes, which only show the unique set of abilities they could have.

• The number one health problem of dogs is usually obesity. Several dogs are very much pampered and have less exercise as compared to other dogs. If you are a dog owner, take your dog for a walk regularly to avoid obesity and other health problems. Also, watch the dog's diet; don't over feed them and avoid providing meat during all feeding periods.

• There have been an estimated number of one million dogs in America being named or included as the primary beneficiary of its owner's or master's will. This statistic only proves that dogs are truly man's best friend and how dogs can be influential and helpful to a person's life.

• According to research and studies, the smartest dogs in the world are the poodles, the golden retriever and the Border collie. It was also discovered that that Afghan hound is the dumbest of all the dogs in the world.

• Dogs are direct descendants of wolves. That is why there are so many similarities between the dogs and the wolves. The wolves however, cannot be tamed easily as compared to the dogs. It is also discovered that dogs and wolves could produce a healthy offspring if they would mate.

• It is believed that the cavemen first domesticated dogs. It proves on how loyal dogs can be to us.