Fun Facts

Dogs are a part of the family. So, of course, many people want their dog’s input when it comes to where they live. While most dogs are content wherever their loved ones are, others would prefer locations where there are countless dog-friendly activities. All cities have their pros and cons for life as a dog, but some are notably better than others. Do you live in one of the best U.S. cities for dogs? Now you can find out for … Read more

There’s nothing on earth quite as powerful as those big, bright puppy dog eyes your dog gives you. Have you ever wondered why that is? A team of university scientists and researchers proposed a few interesting explanations. A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found a distinct difference between wolves and dogs. Comparing the anatomy and behavior of dogs and wolves, researchers found that the facial musculature of both species was similar except above … Read more

Raise your hand if you’re spoiling your dog this Valentine’s Day. Okay – now, lower it if you did not buy your dog his own $20,000 pet bed. No? How about an $800 dog bowl? Easy one this time – $65 dog perfume? Any hands left up? Let’s be honest – our dogs don’t care how much we spend on them. We might buy the more expensive dog food because it’s fresher and healthier, but c’mon. These are the same … Read more

Every year, Rover releases a detailed list of the most popular dog names. And every year, people get more creative. Of course, the top ten dog names in every city remain fairly consistent from year to year. There are just some classic names that will always be adorable. But while those names remained steady on the list, other more peculiar names showed major increases from the previous years. From movie stars to Netflix characters to virus-related names, 2020 is certainly … Read more

What things can dogs smell that humans can’t? Those super snoopers pick up just about every scent there could possibly be as canine noses are built for superior sniffing. Especially when compared to human olfactory senses. We’re pretty much nose blind next to our dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, “Depending on the breed, dogs have up 100 million or more scent receptors in their noses. And those terrific trackers we know as Bloodhounds have 300 million!” That means … Read more

There’s no way to overstate how valuable having a dog in your life is. The right kind of dog is always out there waiting for the perfect person. But as many of us already know, dogs are not one-size-fits-all. With dozens of existing breeds and many more mixes, different kinds of dogs can fill different roles in your life. As someone who has lived in several tiny apartments, I’ve always gravitated towards smaller dogs. But a dog’s size alone doesn’t … Read more

Today, we consider our dogs to be our best friends, our furry children, and our beloved family members. We often give them as much love and respect as we’d give our human friends and family, oftentimes more. So, it’s interesting to look at the past to see a time when dogs weren’t as cherished. Even though dogs and cats have been companions to humans for ages, it wasn’t until around World War II that they finally became full-fledged family members. … Read more

Admit it, we’ve all bragged about our dogs at some point. We all think our dogs are the cutest, the smartest, and the most lovable. Of course, all dogs are the cutest without a doubt, but there’s no way to prove precisely how intelligent our furry friends are. That is until Greenies released a doggy IQ quiz. Now, you can test your dog’s intelligence in just 15 minutes. Plus, you’ll get to spend quality time with your dog in the … Read more

All dogs have their smarts about them, but some breeds shine a little brighter when it comes to natural-born intelligence. But what factors in dog intelligence land a breed on the list of smartest dog breeds? Stanley Coren, PhD., has made the study of dogs his lifelong career, and he offers the breakdown of canine intelligence. “There are three types of dog intelligence: instinctive (what the dog is bred to do), adaptive (how well the dog learns from its environment … Read more

August 26 is National Dog Day! We here at iHeartDogs believe that every day is a good day to celebrate your dog, and since Americans spend more than $60 billion a year on their pets, we think most people agree with us. Still, spoiling your dog too much every day can lead to health and behavioral problems, so it’s never a bad idea to pull back on extra snacks and toys on most days, then splurge a little extra each … Read more

When it comes to choosing the top pet-friendly cities, we want more than just restaurants with dog-friendly patios and big dog parks. We’re thinking and dreaming bigger when it comes to our dogs. We want to live where our dogs can be healthy and happy and treated like the kings and queens we always knew they were. We LOVE WalletHub‘s annual list of pet-friendly cities. This list really covers all the bases when it comes to the demands we make … Read more

Pretty much all families searching for a dog are looking for a breed that’s known for being good with children and there are certainly plenty to choose from. If you’re on the lookout for which breeds might benefit your family best and you want a larger sized dog, be sure to check out the breeds listed here. #1 – Bulldog The Bulldog, or English Bulldog, is a short but very large breed that may look rather intimidating to some potential … Read more

Most dogs relish getting pets by the people they love, and some are so friendly, they enjoy kind strokes from anyone they meet! But while pups may appreciate our affectionate scratches, all tender touches aren’t created equal. You may have noticed that your pooch has a particular place she loves being pet – maybe she even starts kicking her leg in ecstasy! And while all pup preferences are different, there are 5 specific “sweet spots” that make most dogs dissolve into tail-wagging bliss. 1. Under … Read more

Thinking about getting your first dog? While it seems absurd to many of us, some people have never owned a dog before – and that’s okay! We welcome you to the dark side. While there is a lot of research that goes into general dog ownership, there are some breeds of dogs that are better suited for a first timer than others. While all dogs are individuals within a breed, and can vary greatly in personalities and needs, it’s safe … Read more

Even the most dog-savvy folk come across breeds they’ve never heard of, and it’s no surprise when there are so many rare breeds out there. Have you ever seen a dog somewhere and wondered what kind it was but were afraid to ask? Here we’ve compiled a list of some of the rarest dog breeds around the world, though they are listed in no particular order. Perhaps you know them all, but maybe you’ll find one you’ve never seen before! … Read more

While judging a dog’s intelligence is difficult and each dog varies individually, there are some breeds thought to be a little easier to work with than others. Whether this is a measure of pure intelligence or simply biddability, here is a list we’ve compiled of the smartest small dog breeds. #1 – Poodle While the Standard Poodle is one of the smartest large dog breeds, the Miniature and Toy Poodle are some of the smartest small dog breeds. The Miniature … Read more

All dogs have descended from wolves or other wild canids and many still maintain their primitive looks and temperaments today. Although it’s been centuries since dogs became domesticated, recent DNA studies have brought to light which of the recognized breeds are the most closely related to wolves and their ancestors. The study included 414 dogs from 85 different breeds and the results might surprise you! You can read more about the study at National Geographic. #1 – Shih Tzu Although … Read more

If you are looking for a family dog, one of the things to take into consideration is how much work the dog needs. Busy households with not a lot of time may want to consider one of these low maintenance dogs. They don’t need the “frills and pampering” or many vet visits other breeds require. For our list, we did not take into consideration activity or “energy” level. After all, every dog should be exercised and played with to stay … Read more

There are plenty of people foods we’d love to share with our dogs, but some are much healthier than others. In fact, some foods are even toxic to our dogs. But fear not, there are certain human snacks that can actually benefit our four-legged friends. Trust us, we know how hard it is to turn down those big, begging for scraps eyes. You can bring your dog in on the forbidden tabletop foods sometimes. Check out this list of the … Read more

What could be better than dog kisses and canine cuddles? These breeds aren’t afraid to show their love for you, in fact, they insist on it! Having one of these breeds means having a personal snuggle machine in your home. If you’ve got space in your bed or on your couch for a cuddle buddy and free hands for belly rubs, consider adopting one of the dogs on this list! #10 – Brussels Griffon This charming little dog steals the … Read more

Loyalty is something that most people think of when they think of dogs and it’s a truthful generalization to make. While some are certainly more independent than others, most dogs are faithful to their families in some form or another. In fact, some are even faithful to strangers. If you’re looking for a dog that’s known for its attachment and devotion to its owners, look no further than this list! #1 – Pointer Pointers are one of the oldest hunting … Read more

There are a lot of things experienced dog owners do that new owners would never think of, even if it’s a simple task that makes everyone’s lives significantly easier. Dog ownership and care hacks come naturally to some, but others could use a little help. So here we’ve compiled a list of 12 genius hacks you can’t live without! #1 – Use A Shower Caddy For Dog Supplies Whether you want to keep grooming supplies or just basic dog care … Read more

One of the greatest joys of childhood is growing up with a dog and if you’re ready to give that dream to your kids, you might be asking yourself what breeds are the best small dogs for kids?  As a parent, safety is one of your greatest concerns and this must be taken into account when choosing what breed of dog fits with your family. Some dog breeds do not do well with children, especially very young ones. But don’t … Read more