Dogs can smell disease

If a dog is acting strange with someone there might be nothing wrong with the dog — the problem could be with the person!

Research at the Schillerhohe Hospital in Germany found dogs have an incredible ability to recognise the smell of a range of organic compounds that show the human body isn’t working as it should. That means a dog can actually diagnose cancer, something scientists are eager to explore further, as well as diabetes and the early signs of an epileptic seizure.

Dogs can be pretty smart

Don’t think your dog is as daft as a brush, but the truth is that they can actually be as smart as a two year-old child, according to research presented to the American Psychological Association.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, border collies are the cleverest canines, with some able to understand up to 200 words. The other breeds in the top five are poodles, German shepherds, golden retrievers and dobermans.

Published in Dawn, Young World April 1st, 2017