Unique Pet Portraits

- The Great Dane isn't the largest breed of dog but the Irish Wolfhound is. They can be as high as 3 feet at the shoulder.

- The Rhodesian Ridgeback is so named because along its back it has forward growing hair giving the top of the back a ridge.

- The Basenji is the only dog that can't bark, but that in no way means that it's silent. The Basenji makes sounds which some say resemble yodelling. Hmm, I wonder if it won any yodelling contests.

- The Saluki is one of the oldest known domesticated breed dating back to ancient Egypt.

- The oldest North American breed is the American Foxhound, going back around 300 years.

- Dalmations are born pure white, the spots develop as they grow.

- The Newfoundland dog has webbed feet which is why he's a good swimmer. Why does the word "quack, quack" come to mind?

- The Greyhound is the fastest breed, it can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.

- Dogs sweat through the pads of their paws. I knew you didn't know that one.

- The Yorkshire Terrier's coat can grow up to 2 feet long.

- Pharoah Hounds are the only breed that blushes, their ears, nose and eyes become pink when they get excited.

- The average dog has 42 permament teeth.

- There are 701 breeds of dogs.

- Dogs have fewer taste buds than humans. You'd never know that by watching them go for the food.

- Chow Chow have bluish black tongues. Must be from eating too many blueberries. Just kidding.

- The Chinese Shar-Pei is the only other breed besides the Chow Chow that also has a blueish black tongue.