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Dog Unit Study
Dogs are man’s best friend and beloved family pets, serve as protection, and work as vital team members in law enforcement and military operations. No other animal has lived so closely with and been such a huge part of the everyday life of humans as dogs.
We are a dog family, and I can’t imagine life without our pups! My daughter has always been obsessed with dogs, and most other animals honestly. Her bookshelf was always filled with dog guides and dog stories. It seemed that she had a lifelong dog unit study going on.
What about your kids? Do they love dogs too? Make the most of that interest and turn it into an educational opportunity! When kids dive into a subject they are really interested in, they learn without even knowing it!!
Use these links and resources below with your kids to learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about dogs and then some. You can turn their love of dogs into a super fun dog unit study!
Download our free Animal Report printable so your child or students can journal what they’ve learned about their favorite breed of dog.
Here are a few dog facts to get you started.
Dog Facts
- Dogs belong to the canine family, along with coyotes, foxes, wolves, and jackals.
- The scientific name for all domestic dogs is Canis lupus familiaris,
- Dogs are the oldest known domesticated animal.
- All dogs are the descendants of wolves.
- The International Federation of Canines recognizes 360 dog breeds.
- Dogs have more rod cells, which help them see better in dim light. This is why dogs are better at seeing movement and shapes in the dark compared to humans.
- Dogs have fewer cones in their eyes compared to humans. While humans have three types of cones, dogs only have two types. Dogs typically have about 20% of the cone cells that humans have. Humans usually have about 6 million cones, while dogs have about 1.2 million cones. Cones are responsible for color vision and seeing detail in bright light. Having fewer cones means dogs don’t see colors as vividly as humans do. It also means dogs don’t see as much detail as humans in bright conditions.
- Dogs have 3 eyelids per eye. This third eyelid is called the nictitating membrane, or “haw.” It acts like a windshield wiper; it moves across the eye to remove dust and debris. (Envision a broom that sweeps across the floor to remove dirt.) This membrane also keeps the eye moist and protected. When a dog is sleeping, this membrane often covers part of their eye for extra protection.
- Dogs have a special layer at the back of their eyes called the tapetum lucidum. This layer reflects light, which is why dogs’ eyes sometimes appear to glow in the dark.
- Dogs have 42 teeth.
- A dog’s nose print is unique, just like a human’s fingerprint.
- Dogs can hear 10 times better than the average human.
- A dog’s sense of smell is about 10,000 to 100,000 times stronger than a human’s. They can use their noses to find lost people, detect diseases, and even sniff out certain types of cancer!
- Dogs can hear sounds at much higher frequencies than humans. They can even hear sounds from up to four times farther away than we can.
Should you get a cat or a dog as a pet?
When my children were small, we had cats, and the day arose when my children wanted a dog. Well, a dog has different care needs than a cat. This is important to discuss as a family before bringing an animal into the family. Petra at a Mum Reviews has some important points to discuss in her post entitled Are Cats Easier Pets than Dogs?
If you are not only bringing a dog into your family but are also welcoming a new baby, is it a good time to get a dog? Collette at Going On An Adventure wrote about their experience raising a puppy with a newborn baby.
Jobs Dogs Perform
Some dogs are used to work and help in several ways. Have your kids research one or more of these jobs and create a presentation.
- Guide Dogs: These specially trained dogs help people who are blind or visually impaired move about and perform tasks. (We discuss guide dogs in our Eye On It!…Human Eye Study.)
- Therapy Dogs: These dogs visit hospitals and nursing homes to cheer up patients and visitors.
- Police Dogs: These dogs help police officers catch criminals and find missing people.
- Herding Dogs: Some dogs are excellent at helping farmers control their sheep or cattle. Research the breeds that are used for herding purposes.
Dog Lesson Plans
National Pet Week in the classroom
Dog Unit Study Resources
Check out this dog breed game that highlights 24 different breeds. This guess-who activity has your children matching adorable pups while sharpening memory and observation skills. It’s like flashcards, but with more information on the cards!
Image credit: Adventure-in-a-Box.com
Brief History Of Dogs – National Geographic video
List of items for a dog first aid kit – PDF from the AKC
Domestic Dog Facts – National Geographic
Dog Facts – Ducksters.com
Dog Facts – Science Kids
How to Teach Kids to Teach Your Kids to Train Your Dog from the AKC
What about you? Do you have a pet dog? What kinds of other pets do you have?
Other Animal Unit Studies
I hold a master’s degree in child development and early education and am working on a post-baccalaureate in biology. I spent 15 years working for a biotechnology company developing IT systems in DNA testing laboratories across the US. I taught K4 in a private school, homeschooled my children, and have taught on the mission field in southern Asia. For 4 years, I served on our state’s FIRST Lego League tournament Board and served as the Judging Director. I own thehomeschoolscientist and also write a regular science column for Homeschooling Today Magazine. You’ll also find my writings on the CTCMath blog. Through this site, I have authored over 50 math and science resources.