Super Dog

As a dog lover, you already know how amazing canines can be. Did you know that there are “special powers” some dogs have that defy explanation but have been helpful to humans for centuries?

For example, dogs (and cats) have been known to sense when a woman is pregnant. Experts are not sure whether it’s the hormone changes, emotional changes, or changes in routine, but animals seem to be able to detect pregnancy before a traditional pregnancy test! The animal behavior seems to fall into either a pattern of extreme affection and protectiveness, or uncharacteristic aloofness and territory marking.  (Source:  Pregnancy-Info.net)

Also, seizure-alert dogs are dogs that are able to notify someone with epilepsy or a seizure disorder that a seizure is imminent. Again, the exact reason dogs are able to sense the seizure before it happens is somewhat of mystery- whether it’s behavioral changes or something that they can smell. Dogs will bark, whine, lick, or paw their epileptic-prone owners before an event. Unlike seeing-eye dogs, the behavior cannot be trained, and is not breed-specific.  (Source:  National Geographic)

Dogs can also detect several types of cancer. With training, they can detect cancer in the breath of lung, breast, colon, bladder, ovarian and skin cancer patients. Researchers  in Japan are working with an 8-year-old black lab named Marine to research the use of special dogs to provide non-invasive ways of detecting cancer. Marine is accurate 93% of the time in distinguishing between cancerous and benign colorectal polyps. (Sources:  National Geographic and Global Animal)

The most important sense that dogs have is probably their sense of humor. Whether or not dogs can actually understand humor in the intellectual sense, some breeds are more apparently playful than others. Setters, spaniels, retrievers, and poodles tend to be more playful. Scientists liken playful canine behavior to the socialization of a young child, in that behavior that gains positive attention tends to be repeated. However, it’s hard to believe that your dog doesn’t know what he’s doing when he jumps out at you and startles you, or when she presents your underwear to your houseguests. (Source:  Modern Dog)

Your dog may be more than just a common house pet. For all you know, he may be able to prevent disease, protect the unborn, and keep you in stitches. He may just be… Super Dog!!!