Do you know of Old Wives' Tales pertaining to dogs? I am collecting them, whether true or false.?

Question

Hi, All. I am trying to put together a collection of common old wives' tales pertaining to dogs, whether myth or factual..Just hoping for some input from you guys..Thanks!

Thanks. I love it! I am also referring to superstitions, and downright myths.

LOLOLOL!! Deathrowjuliet`..do you have an interpretaion for that one..like what the heck it means.?? Now I am intrigued, as I sure would like to know of something good comming from dog flatulence. !

shivi: I would sure like to talk with you concerning deaf dogs, if you could just activate your email function long enough for a short conversation.

You were right! THREE DOG NIGHT - Australian Aboriginal custom of sleeping with a dog for warmth on a cold night - a three dog night would be very cold.

idiom site, says: Three Dog Night
It refers to being cold. Often when ranchers or cowboys were out on the range they would have to sleep with their dogs to keep warm. A one dog night was a night when he had to share body heat with one dog, two dog night was two dogs and a three dog night was an extremely cold night where he would have to share body heat with three dogs. “how cold was it on your trip?” “It was a three dog night”.
So, I guess it was Universal..

You guys amaze me! Thanksalot, and keep em coming..I check back every little bit..

Answer 1

I think one of the most dangerous myths (unfortunately many ppl do it):

Garlic (and/or onions) help prevent heartworms (fleas, ticks, skin allergies, I've heard it curing just about anything)

What I see are dogs w hemolytic anemia due to garlic toxicity.... AND fleas AND heartworms *sigh*

Some dogs can tell when a person is about to have a seizure or have cancer. This one is actually true.

* I thought of some more:
Chows have blue tongues bc, according to Chinese mythology, God was painting the sky blue and spilled some paint and the dogs licked it off to help him clean.

All pitbulls will become aggressive (obviously not true)... some people claim erroneously that is because they grow tumors in their brains.

Cerberus is a three headed dog that guards the gates of the underworld (Hades, I think is Greek mythology). Appears a lot in RPG games, that is where I get that from :-)

Some cultures (I think African cultures) fed their dogs lion meat because they believe that by eating the meat the dog will be devouring part of the carcass' soul and become stronger and better hunter companion.

Some people believe that black dogs carries the same bad luck to others as black cats.

If you have a labradoodle and mate him w a labrador you get purebred lab puppies, if you mate him w a poodle you get purebred poodle puppies. (I've heard the same claim from a cockapoo owner: purebred cockers or poodles)

** More that I thought off:

Greyhounds w a white spot in their heads bring good luck

Some mentioned that dog howling is bc he has seen spirits, but my friend's grandma says that if he howls 3 times is bc he has seen the spirit of death and somebody will die that night.

In ancient times, bitten by a dog carried serious risk of rabies. To protect from rabies, you had to eat the dog.

If you see a dalmatian on your way to work or business is good luck.

Dog rolling in grass means is going to rain soon.

Dreaming about a dog means love will come. Dreaming of a dirty dog means that you have unfulfilled sexual fantasies. Growling dog: someone close to you will become aggressive.

Answer 2

Is this an old wives' tale or true? During the Dark Ages it is said that refering to a 3 Dog Night meant it was extremely cold
and that the Master slept with his 3 dogs or 4 or 5..............
It's more than a One Dog Night but I hate the cold so I sleep with my dog and she keeps me warm. The winters are very cold where I live.
By the way, great question!

Answer 3

Wow ya'll wiped out all of mine on my list except that spaying a dog makes them fat and lazy. Small variation on this one
If a dog howls and someone is sick in the house it's a bad omen.
Dog years is a old wives tale, it doesn't really work out to 7 human years to every 1 dog year as they get older this only works for the first couple of years.
Never look a dog in the eyes
Don't feed them milk it causes worms
If a dog is howling at night he is seeing a ghost
if a female is bred to another breed she will never be able to produce pure breed pups again
drug dogs find drugs cause they are addicted to drugs
a female dog can have a different father for everyone of her pups
the black roof of a mouth for a German Shepherd is proof of aggression

Answer 4

Oh yes, letting dogs lick your woulds to help them heal, my elderly neighbour still believes that!
It makes my stomach churn to watch.

Fishermen are not fans of dogs at sea, they regard dogs as unlucky and will not take one out in a boat with them.

The ancient Greeks thought dogs could foresee evil.
This may also have been true of cats.

A dog with seven toes can see ghosts.

Encountering a black and white dog on your way to a business meeting is meant to be very lucky.

A strange dog turning up at your home means you will make a new friend.

A howling dog in the evening fortells either illness or bad luck for a friend or relative.

I believe without a doubt, some dogs have the (psychic?) ability to sense a person's imminent death.

Answer 5

I've heard that a group of students at Harvard colluded back in the 60's to graduate a dog. They would take the tests and write the dogs paper. Supposedly Harvard let the dog "walk" on graduation.

Answer 6

I don't believe this is what you are looking for but legend has it that Corgis were once used as fairy steeds by the wee folk and this is what caused the saddle markings on their backs. And I feel sure you would already know that anyway. If I think of something I'll get back with you, though.

Many say a male and female won't fight. pff

Unfortunately, all I can think of is Corgis, sorry. But I've been told you can't raise two females in the same household or they will fight to the death. Maybe, mine just break the mold.

Answer 7

Dog eat Dog,/ Dog is mans best friend./ Dog nap./ Keep the wolves from the door./ Wolf in sheeps clothing.

Answer 8

if a dog has a black mouth they will be aggressive,
this has been used for all dogs, not just German shepherds,

my mother who was an old wife always said if you feed a dog potatoes it will give them worms.

a chihuahua sleeping with a child, will cure a child with asthma.

Answer 9

Let sleeping dogs lay, wake them and tomorrow will bring sorrow. -My Irish Grandmother-
The howl of the dog will lead death to your door, again my Irish Grandmother-
Turn away from the glow of the wolfs eyes in the full moon, it will bring bad luck to your home. from the same as above.
I won't even get into the little people!!!

Answer 10

"Chien qui pete, joie sur ma tete"
"Dog who farts, joy on my head" not really an old wives tales but an old expression you will hear in the north of france. i ll think of some old wives tale in the meantime

"let a dog lick a wound because a dog's saliva is antiseptic and will kill germs."
"If you give dog chocolate, he/she will get tape worms."
"Black roof of a German Shepherd Dog's mouth is proof that he is aggressive"
"Dogs howling in the dark of night,
Howl for death before daylight."