Paw-some Facts! Let's Check out the following five facts about man's best friend. Woof woof!

No other animal inspires the same devotion as the dog (sorry, cat people), and there's any number of reasons why dogs are, at least by the number of households, the most popular pets in the world.

Here are a few fantastic facts about man's best friend…

1. Dogs can be genuinely selfless

American humorist Josh Billings once described dogs as "the only things on Earth that love you more than you love yourself", and the science seems to back him up.

A 2015 study found dogs to be one of a handful of "prosocial" animals, meaning they show a willingness to help others even when there is no overt benefit for them.

2. Dogs were the first animals ever domesticated

Despite the apparent risks, the first animal man ever tamed was not a docile herbivore, but a now-extinct species of predatory wolf. Studies disagree on how, where and how many times this happened, but they're unanimous that it was a very, very… a very long time ago.

Dogs have been domesticated for so long that they have co-evolved with humans – to understand us and build relationships with us as few animals can. Historically, it is entirely accurate to say dogs are man's best friend.

3. Dogs have more teeth than humans

Dogs have 42 adult or permanent teeth that should replace the baby teeth by about seven months of age. Puppies will begin teething at about three and a half to four months of age and will chew on items to help relieve the discomfort of the erupting adult teeth and loosen the baby teeth.

As the adult teeth come in, the baby teeth are usually loosened and fall out on their own. Adult teeth should then last the entire life of your dog unless periodontal disease or trauma results in their loss.

4. Three dogs survived the Titanic sinking

Did you know that three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic? Vetstreet states that the dogs were in first class and included a Pomeranian puppy - which her owner wrapped in a blanket to escape with, and everyone thought she was carrying a baby. Another Pomeranian and a Pekingese were also rescued. 

5. Dogs have three eyelids

Many owners haven't heard of this exciting dog fact, but did you know that your four-legged friend has three eyelids? According to iHeartDogs, the third lid is called the 'haw' or nictitating membrane, and it's responsible for keeping the eye protected and lubricated.

Stay tuned for more Sweetie Paw-some facts next week!