There is no doubt that the anatomy of the dog is surrounded by curiosities, but the truth is that most guardians have no idea of the secrets hidden in the body of their pet. After all, who has never been surprised by the keen sense of smell of dogs, for example? Or even wondered how many bones a dog has? These and other questions are quite common and can be explainedFor you to better understand how your friend's body works, we have separated 10 curiosities about canine anatomy. Take a look!

1) The dog's tail is an extension of the animal's spine

You might think it's weird, but here's a quick lesson in canine anatomy: a dog's tail is also made up of vertebrae, so it serves as an extension of the spine. In this case, the region can have between 5 and 20 vertebrae separated by soft discs, which are meant to provide cushioning and flexibility for your friend.

2) The dog paw has a "fifth finger" which is similar to the thumb of humans

Also known as ergots, the dog's "fifth finger" is located on the front paws. It has a very similar function to the human thumb. That is: it is with it that your doggy can hold food, toys and other objects. In addition to it, the dog's paw also has the digital pads, carpal pads and metacarpal pad, which help to ensure comfort and well-being.your pet's well-being.

3) The dog's digestive system is faster than that of other animals

Although dogs have some characteristics similar to other animals, digestion is not one of them. This is because dog food is rich in nutrients that ensure that absorption is done more quickly. Therefore, even if the food remains in your pet's stomach for up to eight hours, the dog's digestive system will certainly work faster than othersspecies.

4) Dog teeth are able to reveal the age of the animal

Not everyone has the exact information of when a puppy was born. If this is your case, know that it is possible to determine how old he is by assessing the condition and development of his teeth. Yes, that's right! Puppy teeth are able to reveal his approximate age. This is because these structures develop until 12 months of age and then undergo specific wear and tearwhich help to identify what stage of life your pet is in. In addition, the accumulation of tartar acquired over time can also be a factor that confirms your pet's age.

5) Dogs' hearing is extremely acute

If you have a dog at home, you may have heard about how furry people have a keen sense of hearing, right? It turns out that, just like humans, dogs also have an eardrum and a set of ossicles that vibrate and send signals to the auditory nerve. But while humans are able to pick up between 20 and 20,000 hertz of vibration, dogs pick up between 15 and 40,000 hertz.Therefore, it is common for them to suffer more from the noise of fireworks than us, for example.

6) Dogs do not see all colors

The way dogs see is not the same as humans. They cannot see all colors and therefore distinguish between them. In fact, dogs see colors on a scale of blue and yellow.

7) Dogs can run up to 30km/h

When you see your dog running, have you ever wondered how fast it can go? If so, we have the answer: dogs can reach an average of 30km/h. However, Greyhounds can turn your backyard into a racetrack, as they can run up to 80km/h.

8) The number of bones in the dog depends on its age, breed and gender

One of the most frequently asked questions in relation to canine anatomy is, of course, how many bones a dog has. It turns out that the number of bones in an animal can vary according to its age, since, during growth, the fusion of some bone elements occurs, which appear separately in the young dog. In addition, the amount can also change depending on the gender of the animal. In general, it isit is possible to say that an adult dog usually has between 319 and 321 bones.

9) Dogs have a third eyelid in their eyes

Yes, that's right, the dog has a third eyelid, called the nictitating membrane, which helps to clear debris and mucus from its eyeballs and produce tears. Curious, right?

10) The dog has a unique channel for smell

It may seem strange, but dogs have a space reserved in their body just for smell. That is: when a dog inhales, part of the air follows the route of the lungs while the other follows a path dedicated exclusively to smells. In this way, your friend can decipher the codes present in the air, who is around and even emotions.