Mr. Smarty Pants Knows

Furry Facts to Know & Tell

This month’s issue is supported in part by SF Animal Medical Center and dog lovers like you.

R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

May 2026

David Hockney is an English painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer, and photographer who is known for painting his dachshunds.

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R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

April 2026

Great Britain is considering a new law that would ban the breeding of 67 dog breeds with short noses, flat faces, and shortened legs due to health concerns.

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R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

March 2026

Nooking is the act of a dog sucking, kneading, or gently mouthing a soft object, a self-soothing behavior much like thumb-sucking among children.

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R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

February 2026

There are only about 6,600 African wild dogs left on our planet. Despite their large ears, they rely on sight rather than hearing to hunt prey.

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R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

January 2026

Scientists analyzing DNA bone fragments have concluded that interbreeding between Dingoes and European dog breeds peaked in the mid-1900s.

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R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

December 2025

According to a recent study conducted by the University of California-Davis, mixed-breed dogs are not necessarily healthier than purebred dogs.

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R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

November 2025

More than 56% of Miniature Dachshund owners post about their pets on TikTok - more than double the average across all breeds.

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R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

October 2025

According to Forbes Advisor, 42% of American dog owners got their furry friends from a pet store and 38% got them from a shelter or animal rescue.

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R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

September 2025

Don't feed chicken skin, turkey skin, or fatty cuts of meat to your dog as it could lead to pancreatitis, according to Stephanie Dwilson of Pets Best and veterinarian dermatologist Dr. Fiona Lee.

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R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

August 2025

Three rare dog breeds make excellent choices for families, according to British canine expert Will Atherton: the Leonberger, Komondor, and Flat-coated Retriever.

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July 2025

Researchers in Beijing, China, have discovered that some dogs get ill-tempered in very hot weather and want less petting and more space.

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R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

June 2025

It's never too early to plan how to celebrate National Dog Day coming up on August 26. The day was started in 2004 by animal behaviorist Colleen Paige.

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R.U. Steinberg R.U. Steinberg

May 2025

Sniffer dogs in Australia searching through burrows have discovered 13 Victorian grassland earless dragons, a small reptile previously thought to be extinct.

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