Emilee Brewer
Dogs are colorblind! Dogs have cleaner mouths than humans! Some breeds are hypoallergenic! Dogs age seven years for every human year! Who hasn’t heard these common beliefs? But are they factual? Let’s take a look at some prevailing misconceptions!
Dogs are colorblind. Kind of. They don’t see in black and white, as most people think, but rather, they see in shades of yellow and blue. Dogs are dichromatic, whereas humans are trichromatic. The di- or tri- prefix refers to the number of cones in the eye. Humans have three cones and can see a wide variety of colors, whereas dogs have only two cones, which limits their color perception. “Dogs are very good at distinguishing between variations of blues and yellows (and whites and grays), but dogs can’t see red and green all that well”. This means that shades of red and green look more like brown or grey to a dog.
Dogs have cleaner mouths than humans. At a very basic level, yes. Dogs have 600 different germ species in their mouths compared to a human’s 615+ germ species. So by sheer numbers, they have fewer germs. However, there are bacteria in a dog’s mouth that humans don’t have at all, just as we have germs that they don’t have. It’s a very weird comparison to make. There is a little bit of overlap in our germ species, though, like Porphyromonas, which is the bacterium that causes periodontal disease. So, can you get sick from a dog licking you? It’s not likely, but it is possible. The highest risk comes from a dog bite and the saliva entering your bloodstream. Seek immediate medical attention if a dog bites you, especially a stray dog! You do not want to mess with rabies. There’s also a slim chance of transmission of a bacterial or viral illness if dog saliva gets into your mouth, so don’t French kiss your dog, and you’ll be fine. It’s also important to keep their mouths clean to lower risks further. Brushing their teeth is a great way to keep them clean and prevent any dental or gum disease!
Certain breeds are hypoallergenic. No. What’s hypoallergenic to one person may not be at all to another. So a doodle doesn’t set you off, but it causes sneezing fits in your cousin. According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, “dog dander is what causes symptoms of allergy. It’s not the length, style, type, or shedding of fur. Dander comes from saliva, skin cells, and urine. Unless your dog has no mouth, no skin, or doesn’t pee, it will release dander into the air”. A misunderstanding of how allergies work is what caused this myth. There are different types of allergens, and it’s going to vary by dog. Some people may react to one breed, but not another, so now you assume this breed is safe. Allergy testing can help you learn if you have a dog allergy, but it won’t help determine which breed is going to trigger the allergies. Your best bet? Spend time with different breeds and see which one you can tolerate the best! There are also some steps you can take to help ease symptoms, like giving the dog regular baths, frequent vacuuming, and using HEPA filters in your home. A dog with a shorter coat may help, as they don’t shed as badly, but remember, they’re still going to shed, and it may still trigger your allergies.
Dogs age seven years to a human’s one year! This is more of a rough estimate. You also need to consider their breed and size. Ever notice how little dogs like Chihuahua’s make it to 17 or even 20 years, whereas a French Mastiff is lucky to make it eight years? Small dogs tend to age at a much slower rate than their large counterparts, and even then, that’s still kind of a toss-up. A Yorkie may live longer than a Great Dane, but a Great Dane may live longer than a bulldog. From VCA Animal Hospitals, “dogs develop more quickly the first two years of life, after which development levels out a bit. During the first two years, one dog year equals about 10.5 human years. So, the dog: human aging ratios is 10.5:1 rather than 7:1. When a dog hits the three-year mark, he ages 4 years to every 1 human year, bringing the ratio to 4:1. Using this formula, a 10-year-old dog is the equivalent of a 53-year-old human. Using the simple 7:1 ratio, this same 10-year old dog would be the equivalent of a 70-year old human”. Simple math doesn’t work, but the 7:1 ratio at least gives you a vague idea of how your dog is aging. Honestly, just enjoy every moment and take note as your dog starts to slow down.
There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to dogs. A lot of regurgitated facts that don’t actually hold any water. It’s kind of like growing up being told goldfish only have three-second memories (they don’t. They actually have excellent memories spanning years!). A good rule of thumb is to always do your own research and not take things at face value!