At OC Working Dogs, our passion for dogs is obvious and endless. These four-legged canids provoke limitless wonder and intrigue, from the cute little noises they make when asleep, to real-life tales of heroism and valor, and captivate us like no other species.

And, like any true dog lover, we’ll never say, “No,” to a good dog story. 

Here are five fun, fascinating, and funny facts about man’s best friend.

#1: Celebrity canine: Dog talent agencies make four-leggers famous

When dog actors and models need help getting their muzzles on screen and in print, their owners turn to canine talent agencies. Similar to human talent agencies, these businesses help canine stars and would-be stars find fame by helping their clients stand out in a sea of adorable dogs. Dog talent agents network with their connections with professional headshots, demo reels, and strategically written résumés and book suitable casting calls for their four-legged clients. Many agents actually double as trainers and accompany the dog and owner to the audition to ensure the “talent” looks—and behaves—their best.

If you think your dog is destined for the spotlight, you’ll want to first ensure they have reliable obedience and manners training. Let the OC Working Dogs team help you polish those must-have skills so your dog can seal the deal on audition day.

#2: An iceberg is no match: Three toy-breed dogs survived the Titanic

Never underestimate a toy dog. Fifteen hundred humans and nine canines lost their lives when the RMS Titanic sank in 1912, but three small but mighty dogs made a safe and clandestine escape.

Unlike the other cruising canines, these three diminutive dogs stayed in their owners’ first class staterooms rather than an onboard kennel. This defiance of the Titanic’s rules, along with the cruise staff’s apparent willingness to ignore the rule-breaking, likely saved the dogs’ lives.

On that fateful night, Lady the Pomeranian, Sun Yat Sen the Pekingese, and another unnamed Pomeranian became secret stowaways, presumably smuggled onto the ship and later onto the limited lifeboats under their owners’ blankets and coats. According to one account, the RMS Carpathia rescue boat crew, who took Lifeboat 6 evacuees to shore, tried to refuse to allow the unnamed Pomeranian onboard, but the owner, Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Rothschild, insisted. 

Sometimes it pays to be a dogged dog owner.

#3: Dog for mayor: One California town has literally gone to the dogs

Dogs love to shake hands and kiss babies, so it’s no surprise that one pup politician took his campaign “tail” all the way to an official office.

Idlewild, California, is an unincorporated town with no human political offices, but one mayoral mutt. In 2012, Idlewild Animal Rescue Friends (ARF) sponsored the town’s first election and allowed citizens to nominate their pet for office. In a competitive field of 16 pet politicians, Max the golden retriever swept the polls with two-thirds of the town vote.

The affable, sandy-haired Max led the town on a platform of kindness and clean streets. The town was so smitten by their lovable leader that they petitioned for, and the ARF granted, an extended term. Tragically, Mayor Max unexpectedly passed away only nine months into his first year term. But Idlewild was not leaderless for long. Max II, a young and bubbly golden retriever, was sworn in to take Mayor Max’s seat.

Mayor Max II held office, and probably a lot of tennis balls, until his death in 2022. If you haven’t already guessed, another canine civil servant, Max III, quickly filled the empty mayoral seat.

To learn more about Max’s campaign platform and legacy, visit his website.

#4: Oh yes, she did: Your female dog is judging you

If you’ve ever gotten the side-eye from your female dog, or heard them sigh when you tripped over their leash, you likely laughed about their seemingly low opinion of you.

But according to one study, it’s no joke.

In an experiment to determine how male and female dogs assess human competency, Japanese researchers concluded that female dogs are more likely to draw conclusions about error-prone or incompetent people. Female dogs in the study showed more interest and willingness to approach an actor who could open a food container than an actor who pretended to struggle with the opening.

Perhaps the key to successful female dog training is to show that you are equally competent.

#5: Dogs may have favorite smells

Dogs aren’t the most discerning about odors and seem to gravitate toward unattractive scents, such as decaying matter and feces. So, you may be surprised to learn that dogs also enjoy more human-pleasing fragrances, such as lavender, blueberry, blackberry, mint, rose, and linalol.

Although scientific data available on canine smell preferences is limited, dogs in one study that examined the attractiveness of certain fragrances used in dog cosmetic products (e.g., shampoos, sprays) demonstrated positive, prolonged interactions with the above scents. These results suggested the dogs were curious about and derived pleasure from sniffing these odors.

Are you a true-blue dog lover? We are, so let’s connect! Contact OC Working Dogs to learn more about our training offerings or to simply “talk dogs.”