Take our canine quiz to find out!
Pick the fact that you think is true for each of the following.
1. A dog named Rico proved how smart he was by:
- beating human challengers in games of tic tac toe.
- learning more than 200 words.
2. A dog named Selvakumar became a hero when he:
- dragged a small boy to safety during the tsunami that hit Asia last December.
- drove an elderly man to the hospital when he suffered a heart attack.
3. In the late 1800s, a smart dog named Morsey:
- learned Morse code and became a telegraph operator for the Northern Pacific Railroad.
- learned how to type the word “more” on a typewriter every time he wanted food.
4. A plucky pup named Bobbie made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for:
- walking 3,100 miles home after being separated from his family.
- dog-paddling across the English Channel.
5. At an animal shelter in London, a dog named Red was caught on camera:
- unlocking his cage and then freeing his canine buddies from their cages.
- dancing to the music of a radio that had been left on.
Answers
1 b.The brilliant border collie was able to learn the name of a new toy after being told just once. Although your dog may not be a walking dictionary like Rico, all dogs are able to learn a number of words and phrases. Teach your dog the meanings of words and questions like “treat” and “Wanna go for a walk?”
2 a.The brave dog pulled 7-year-old Dinakaran up a hill, away from the rising water. Be a hero to your dogs by walking them every day. There's a world out there to explore, so put nylon-web harnesses on them (collars can cause neck injuries), and let them stop and smell the fire hydrants!
3 a. Morsey recognized a variety of words and phrases in morse code and always let the operator know when a train was running late. When your dog barks or whines, he or she is also trying to tell you something—so listen up! It might be “Hey, I've got to use the bathroom” or “Can we go for a walk now?”
4 a. Bobbie was a lucky pup, but lots of dogs who are separated from their families aren't so fortunate.You'd be lost without Spot or Fluffy, so make sure they have ID tags to get back home if they ever slip out accidentally.
5 a. Rascally Red, who used his nose and teeth to unlock cages so that he and his friends could enjoy a midnight feast, always freed his best friend, Lucky, first. There are millions of dogs like Red and his buds who desperately need homes, so never buy from a pet store or a breeder. Instead, adopt a dog or cat from an animal shelter. And make sure that every dog and cat you know is spayed or neutered.
Scores
Give yourself 1 point for every correct answer:
0-2: Uh-oh! There are still lots of things about dogs that you don't know. But that's OK—your dog still loves you anyway.
3-4: Good job! Reward yourself with a treat.
5: The facts are in—you know everything there is to know about Fido!
