Category: Animals

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See How 100 Years of Breeding Has Changed Popular Dog Breeds

The differences between dog breeds have gotten more and more extreme thanks to centuries of breeding, as you can see in these photos of what popular dog breeds looked like 100 years ago.

In these photo comparisons, modern dog breeds basically look like over the top versions of their original selves. This is due to high levels of inbreeding meant to keep each breed “pure,” but which also results in chronic health and behavioral problems in many purebreds.

Bull Terriers, for example. To someone from 100 years ago, a modern Bull Terrier wouldn’t even be recognizable!

Photo Credit: W.E. Mason

Nowadays, Bull Terriers have shark-shaped heads. They’re prone to compulsive behavior, kidney failure, and deafness.

Photo Credit: iStock

And then there’s English Bulldogs, one of the most severe cases of in-breeding. They used to look like this.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Even back then, this breed looked unhealthy.

And now they look like this. English Bulldogs are now known for chronic health issues, and they’re largely incapable of breeding without medical assistance.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

German Shepherds have changed a lot, too. One hundred years ago, German Shepherds were much smaller and more athletic-looking.

Photo Credit: W.E. Mason

Now, they’re larger and they have dramatically sloped backs. Many dog lovers think of German Shepherds as one of the greatest tragedies of dog breeding thus far.

Photo Credit: iStock

Other examples of popular breeds that have drastically changed over the years include Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and Boxers.

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This Is What the “Guilty” Expression on Your Dog’s Face Really Means

Humans keep trying to explain and understand our pets in terms of human thoughts and emotions. Even though they’re, ya know, dogs and cats and birds and stuff.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the look your dog gives you when they’re in trouble for doing something they know they shouldn’t have isn’t what you think.

Like this guy who’s clearly guilty AF!

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I may look guilty right? That’s because I am, I chewed mummy’s trainer up, thought I may get away with it but as soon as she shouted ‘who did this Tink?’ My face automatically did this……? need more practice ???? Happy Friyay ? Tink xx #guiltydogface#happyfriyay#bettyboobeagle#tinkerbelle#justbeagles#beagleloveit#instagrambeagles#beagle#beaglesofinstagram#dogsofinstagram#dogs_of_instagram#beaglecentral#beagleworld_feature#beagleluvofficial#beaglevillage#boopmynose#dailybarker#worldofcutepets#dogsofinstagram#sendadogphoto #worldofcutepets#dog_features#dogsofinstaworld#mydogiscutest#igwoofs#dogmilk#beaglefaction#beagleloverz#beagles_petsagram#beaglepluss#beagle_us#doggytheworld @beagledream @beagle_top @boopmynose @beagleworld @beagle_loveit @beaglecentral @bestfriends_dogs @dogsofinstagram @beaglevillage @beagleloverz @beaglefaction @beagle_corner @dog.tagram @thekennelclubuk @beagleoftheday @beagle_top @beagles.gram @beaglemasters @sendadogphoto @justbeagles @mydogiscutest @beaglesplanet @thebeaglesparents @beagle_lovers @beagles_petsagram @beagles_all_day @instagrambeagles @beagle_society @beagledaily @beaglescorner @beaglestagrams @beagleig @beagle.boo @beaglesmile @beagle_corner @beaglezada @beagleloversfc @beaglecute @beagle.ins.gram @beagle_me @dogs @worldofbeagles @doglove @dogs_of_world_

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Actually, what we categorize as an adorable attempt to convey the complicated emotion of guilt is actually much more simple (and less cute) – fear.

A 2009 study ran by scientist Dr. Alexandra Horowitz called “Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know” and “Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell,” addresses how we misinterpret fear as guilt in those moments when we’re upset with our dogs for disobeying.

“I look at a dog showing the guilty look and it feels guilty to me. It does! We’re kind of wired to see it this way, so it’s nobody’s fault.”

She describes the look as when the dog cowers, showing the whites of its eyes while looking up at you, possibly pinning it’s ears back in the process – all classic signs of fear in dogs.

They’re responding to your scolding and disapproval, basically, not to any higher thought process where they were aware they were doing the wrong thing when they were doing it, and are now feeling badly that they were caught.

“It seems unlikely that they have the same types of thinking about thinking that we do, because of their really different brains, but in most ways dogs brains are more similar to ours than dissimilar,” Dr. Horowitz told IFLScience.

The “thinking about thinking” bit refers to executive function, meaning the ability to reflect on past actions and feel a certain way about them in the present.

“There is some work showing that some animals are planning for the future and remember specific episodes in the past. With dogs, there’s not as much evidence yet. Which isn’t to say that they don’t, but it’s to say that it’s really hard to design experiments around it.”

Without solid evidence when it comes to how dogs experience emotion and memory, anthropomorphizing them is easy – and it’s essential to us, as humans, as a way to make sense of this creature now living alongside us in our home.

“When you adopted your dog, and suddenly you’re living with a dog, within a week we have opinions about the dog’s personality, what they’re like and what they’re thinking. It’s a way to try to predict what’s gonna happen next with an organism that we don’t really know. So we use the language of human explanation, and we just put it on the dog.”

Which is fine, of course, as long as you’re not expecting more from your dog that they’re really able to give.

It’s best to just love them for who and what they are – nosed-through trash bins and chewed-up shoes and all.

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You Need These 15 Photos of Puppy Bellies in Your Life

These photos of puppy bellies are FREAKING ADORABLE. I can barely take my eyes off them. They’re so cute I want to rub all the puppy bellies in the entire world!

Is that possible? Well, it’s now my mission in life so I will do my best.

Enjoy…

1. Two-for-one

2. Lounging

3. Awwwwww

4. Snoozin’

5. LOL

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Just my mom and I having a snooze ?

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6. He’s cool with it

7. Down for the count

8. Pink belly!

9. I really want him

10. All tuckered out

11. Teeny tiny

12. Hahahaha

13. Can’t get up

14. Cuuuuuuute

15. Let’s close with a video

Damn, those are all adorable.

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This German Circus Replaced Animals with Holograms, and It Is Great

Accusations against animal cruelty in the circus have led to a worldwide decline in the circus’ popularity (rightfully so), and legal restrictions on animal performances in many countries have made it a less attractive way to make a living, financially speaking.

But this German circus has gotten creative, finding a way to satisfy both those seeking the magic of close-up encounters and those worried about the safety and welfare of performing animals: holograms.

Circus Roncalli has been in business since 1976, but they’ve only recently begun using holographic animals in their performances. They are projected onto a 360-degree screen, which means there isn’t a bad seat in the house for what seems like a show that goes way above and beyond the offerings of a regular circus.

Because the animals aren’t real, the Circus Roncalli doesn’t let reality hold them back. Among the “regulars” like elephants and tigers, you’ll find giant fish and other species that wouldn’t exactly feel at home elsewhere.

And don’t worry – clowns, acrobats, and magicians are still very much a part of the “live” performance.

That said, I’m pretty sure the holographic animals are, and will remain, the stars of the show.

And now the circus can say – and mean – that no animals were harmed in the pursuit of your entertainment. How great is that?

They’re touring Europe now, but one can hope they’ll bring their show across the pond soon – or that an American circus will take a page from their holographic book.

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This Service Dog’s Mischief Has the Internet in Stitches

This is Arwen, a Husky/Kelpie mix and according to one of her adoptive family members, is, wait for it, “a little asshole.”

Photo Credit: Tumblr

In reality, Arwen is a trained autism service dog and highly intelligent. Where was she trained, you ask? Why, in prison, of course, as part of an inmate rehab/service dog program. Certainly, time in the cooler can teach a dog a lot about life.

So, now that she’s adopted, Arwen seems to get herself into all sorts of shenanigans. In fact, Tumblr user gallusrostromegalus decided to share with the world all the trouble Arwen causes.

Which is a lot.

At first, Arwen’s new family calls her shenanigans a “learning curve.”

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Prison AC?

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Why did it have to be snakes?

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Another prickly situation.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Arwen sometime starts fights with her cousin over who gets the recliner.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Shenanigan bonus time!

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Arwen could be part monkey.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Arwen can’t help herself. She’s got a mind for shenanigans.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Whatever the background to her mischief making, Arwen’s tails – make that tales – has got the internet crazy for this funny dog and her adventures. She may not always be a good dog, but she’s certainly an entertaining one.

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This Dad Took the Family Cat to the Groomer and Returned with an Accordion-Shaped Cat

There’s probably no one alive who hasn’t left a hair salon with that sick, annoyed, or angry feeling in the pit of their stomach that can only mean one thing – you got a bad haircut.

Our pets are not exempt from this rule, though whether or not they feel embarrassed over a poor snip is up for discussion.

Twitter user Caitlin Christine shared these hilarious images of her family’s cat after a botch job that honestly? Might not have totally been the groomer’s fault.

 

Because her father dropped the cat off and asked for it to “look like a tiger, do what you can do” in order to mess with his wife.

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Expectation vs. reality #slinkycat

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And this is what they got. Pure genius.

The family was fairly amused, but mom didn’t quite see the humor in owning an accordion-shaped cat for the weeks to come.

Image Credit: Twitter

Twitter, however, definitely came down on the “this is hilarious” side.

Because, come on… this IS hilarious.

Mom needs to grow a sense of humor.

Classic dad move…

Decide for yourself, but idk. I think she’s going to find the whole thing funny.

Eventually…

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Even More Tweets from ‘Thoughts of Dog’ to Give You Some Perspective in Life

The “Thoughts of Dog” Twitter account has more than 2.5 million followers for good reason. It’s good for your soul to read tweets from a wise doggo who’s great at dishing out advice.

Here are 15 more great examples of the deep thoughts from this very worldly pooch.

1. That’s all he needs

2. Let everyone know

3. You are the party

4. Life partners

5. The bar is high

6. One paw at a time

7. That is life in a nutshell

8. Not a crook!

9. That’s all I need

10. FOCUS

11. It means more

12. Don’t break the law

13. A fun game for all

14. All by myself

15. Don’t disturb the artist

Ahhhhhhh, I needed that…

The post Even More Tweets from ‘Thoughts of Dog’ to Give You Some Perspective in Life appeared first on UberFacts.

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Even More Tweets from ‘Thoughts of Dog’ to Give You Some Perspective in Life

The “Thoughts of Dog” Twitter account has more than 2.5 million followers for good reason. It’s good for your soul to read tweets from a wise doggo who’s great at dishing out advice.

Here are 15 more great examples of the deep thoughts from this very worldly pooch.

1. That’s all he needs

2. Let everyone know

3. You are the party

4. Life partners

5. The bar is high

6. One paw at a time

7. That is life in a nutshell

8. Not a crook!

9. That’s all I need

10. FOCUS

11. It means more

12. Don’t break the law

13. A fun game for all

14. All by myself

15. Don’t disturb the artist

Ahhhhhhh, I needed that…

The post Even More Tweets from ‘Thoughts of Dog’ to Give You Some Perspective in Life appeared first on UberFacts.

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8 Great Facts That Will Send Your Brain Into Overdrive!

Attention! Attention! You will engage in some brain power exercises starting RIGHT NOW.

You’ve been a little lazy lately (haven’t we all?) and it’s time to kick that brain into overdrive!

3…2….1…GO!

1. I did not know that

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

2. Disgusting!

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

3. A wonderful idea

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

4. Survivors

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

5. Thank God

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

6. Dum Dums

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

7. Man of culture

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

8. Wow

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

Brain power!

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An Abundance of “Cat Ladders” Makes Switzerland a Cat-Lover’s Dream

Everyone knows that cats pretty much live to climb all over everything. Whether it’s shelves, furniture, tabletops, or your head, kitties gonna climb. They also crave the freedom to explore their neighborhood on their own terms, coming and going as they please (if they’re an outdoor cat, at least).

Naturally, then, it would make sense that cat-loving apartment owners might want to create some way for their cats to still be able to go in and out without needing to learn how to operate a door code. It just makes sense, right?

Clearly it did to the people of Switzerland – particularly the residents of the city of Bern, where “cat ladders” seem to adorn just about every building.

The cat ladders come in all shapes and sizes, and they are all pretty impressive. Get a load of these ingenious ladder designs for the Swiss kitties.

1. Action shot

2. All the way up

3. Makeshift

4. Planks

5. Couple of different ones

6. Colorful

7. Here she comes

8. Epic

9. Above the snow

10. Circular staircase

11. On her perch

12. That’s a big one

13. A smaller one

14. That’s a cool one

15. Right by the front door

A photographer named Brigitte Schuster has a whole book of Switzerland’s cat ladders. Take a look at her website to check it out!

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