Here are answers and some accompanying explanations to the quiz.

1. Dogs have 28 deciduous, or baby teeth, and 42 permanent teeth. They lose needle-sharp baby teeth at 4 months, replaced by permanent chompers.

2. 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit, much higher than humans' 98.6.

3. No. This is a myth. "Certainly, a dehydrated pet will often have a dry nose as well as dry mouth, sunken eyes and look 'sick,'" said Michael Stone, DVM, assistant clinical professor at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. "However, many normal dogs have dry noses." It's common for older dogs to develop callous-like thickening on their noses. And many dogs with wet noses can be seriously ill, so don't be misled. If your dog's nose is dry, but he's eating and behaving normally, don't be alarmed. If your dog has a wet nose but loses his appetite, appears listless or shows other sign of illness, take him to the veterinarian.

4. Most females go into heat twice yearly. Some dogs cycle only annually.

5. Average number is about four to eight puppies. Miniature breeds may have only one puppy while giant breeds can have 15 or more.

6. No. It serves no purpose to allow a dog to have a litter of pups before spaying. In fact, failing to spay or neuter contributes to pet overpopulation and the resulting euthanasia of millions of dogs annually. Females suffer no adverse affects from not having puppies.

7. Spaying females before their first heat at 6 to 9 months of age is optimum. "For male dogs, the best age is unknown. Anytime after they've reached a safe age for anesthesia at approximately 10 weeks of age is appropriate," Dr. Stone said. Some veterinarians advise it's best to neuter males before they develop characteristic behaviors, such as marking territory with urine. Many veterinarians neuter and spay female dogs routinely at approximately 6 months of age. A move is also under way among other veterinarians and shelters to spay and neuter pups much earlier in the 6 to 8 week range, which has helped decrease the number of unwanted animals. This is also a controversial issue in many a persons mind. Some also believe a male or female should be left in tact until they reach an age of at least 1 year for best physical growth.

8. True. Dogs' eyes provide a valuable window for gauging their health. Some dogs suffer from
constant tearing, which may be normal for them. In others, tearing can be a sign of a sinus or upper
respiratory infection. A cloudy bluing of the eye is an early sign of hepatitis. A pale color in the
normally pink membrane around the eye could indicate anemia. If a dog feels run-down, his eyes may lose their glossiness.

9. Dogs commonly eat grass, but it's not known whether they do so to make themselves vomit or whether the grass makes them vomit. Dogs seem to like the consistency of grass, but you should discourage them from eating it. Grass itself may be harmless but could be coated with harmful chemicals, pesticide or parasite eggs.

10. False. Many common house plants are poisonous to dogs, including holly, English Ivy, hydrangea, Christmas rose, poinsettia and rhododendron. If your dog eats a plant and you're unsure if it's poisonous, check with a poison control
center. Treat all poisonings as emergencies and get prompt veterinary attention.

11. Two days. Withhold a meal or two and provide plenty of water so your dog doesn't become de- hydrated. Ask the veterinarian if you should feed bland foods, such as poached chicken and rice, for a few days until your dog returns to normal.

12. True, but ask the veterinarian about medications that can ease your dog's pain. Provide reasonable regular exercise and consider alternatives like gentle massage of the affected areas.

13. b. 600- 800 calories. Requirements vary with age and activity level. "Dogs less than 8 years of age should average 60-80 calories per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight per day; dogs greater than 8 often require less, in the 40-60 calories per kilogram of weight per day range," Dr. Stone said. However, active dogs require more calories than sedentary ones. Check with the veterinarian to determine the best nutrition for your dog.

14. After approximately 1 year of age, feeding once daily is adequate for most dogs, said Dr. Stone. Some, especially smaller breeds, eat twice per day. Some owners feed at the dog's pleasure, with food in the bowl all the time.

15. Feed only food certified as meeting requirements based upon the Association of American Feed Control Officials' (AAFCO) feeding trials. "Pet food companies concerned about their product will have their food tested and prominently display this acceptance on their packaging, if present," Dr. Stone said. AAFCO, at www.aafco.org, is a national organization that regulates the manufacture, distribution and sale of animal feeds. It also licenses food that meets AAFCO nutrient analysis, but this isn't as desirable as feeding trials. In the nutrient analysis studies, food is chemically analyzed for content. During feeding trials, the food is fed to dogs, and they're regularly monitored.

16. Obesity is the most common dietary problem, especially in affluent areas. "I would guess close
to 80 percent of my canine patients are portly," Dr. Stone said.

17. True. Dogs can hear sounds more accurately than humans - from as far as 250 yards. Most
people can't hear beyond 25 yards. The human ear can detect sound waves vibrating at frequencies up
to 20,000 times a second. Dogs can hear sound waves vibrating at frequencies of more than 30,000
times per second.

18. False. Dogs can see color but not in as vivid a color scheme as we do. Their vision compares to
ours at twilight. How do scientists know? One way they use is to shine beams of colored lights into
dogs' eyes and analyze the spectrum - the pattern of light -reflected back. They compare results with the pattern produced when they shine the same lights into human eyes.

19. True. "The most common reasons given are that the dog's too active, barks too much or is
destructive," Dr. Stone said. In many cases owners really didn't want the dog and may consider normal behavior a problem. "Veterinarians do owe pets and owners advice about how to avoid behavior problems, and these are best addressed at young age, when the dog is most trainable," Dr. Stone said.

20. False. Your puppy - or an adult dog for that matter - won't understand the connection between punishment and the shoe he chewed hours before. In fact, responsible trainers today don't use punishment. Instead, they reinforce positive behavior. The only time you should correct your dog for inappropriate chewing is when you catch him in the act. Even then, only say "No! Leave it!" and take the item away.  Remember, puppies use early chewing to begin shedding baby teeth. Provide a variety of appropriate chew toys.

21. a. $13,350. The Avery County Humane Society in Newland, N.C., estimated this cost, including
food, veterinary preventive care, training, spaying or neutering, licensing fees and miscellaneous
expenses.

22. a. Wolves. A UCLA study, analyzing wolf, coyote and jackal DNA, found that dogs evolved
from wolves and have no ancestry among jackals or coyotes.

23. a. Labrador Retriever. The gentle, easygoing breed tops the list followed by Goldens, German Shepherds, Dachshunds and Beagles.

24. c. The Basenji.

25. a. Chihuahuas. Full-grown, this lively and intelligent breed weighs 6 pounds or less.

15 - 24: You're best of show.

10 - 15: Still a champ. This was a tough quiz.

10 or below: Woof! At least you were concerned enough about dog welfare to take the test!