We all know that dogs have an incredible sense of smell that’s much stronger than ours. But how far can they really smell? The exact answer depends on things like the breed and health of the dog, weather, and even the environment. Let’s take a closer look at how dogs use their noses and what makes their sense of smell so amazing.
Stop Googling - Ask a Real Vet
Content:
- How Far Can Dogs Smell
- Dogs with the Best Sense of Smell
- Dogs That Don’t Smell as Much
- Why Do Dogs Smell Better Than Humans
- Conclusion
How Far Can Dogs Smell
In general dogs can smell things within a 12-mile (20 km) range, and in some cases, they can even pick up scents from as far as 40 miles (65 km) under perfect conditions. However, it depends on the dog and the external conditions.
For example, if the wind is blowing toward the dog, they can catch the scent much faster. On the other hand, strong winds or heavy rain can scatter or wash away scent molecules, making it harder for them to detect smells.
As Dr. Attila Salamon explains, “In addition to weather conditions, other factors may affect how dogs’ olfactory performance differs in a field versus an indoor setting. Outdoors, there is a wide range of distracting stimuli, such as scents, moving objects, and animals, which are necessary to simulate real-life situations for detection dogs.”
An older dog that has lost their olfactory receptors may also not be able to smell as far a young and healthy bloodhound. So, just like humans can differ quite a lot in terms of how far and well they can see, dogs can differ in how far and well they can smell.
If you have a dog that loves to follow their nose and run after something they smell in the distance, the Petcube Tracker is the perfect way to make sure they don’t get lost.
Dogs with the Best Sense of Smell
Some breeds are better sniffers than others. Bloodhounds are considered the best, with their long ears and wrinkled skin helping to trap smells and guide them toward their powerful noses. Similar breeds, called “scent hounds” also have superior smelling abilities, as they were bred to use their nose to hunt.
In general, Beagles, German Shepherds, and Basset Hounds also rank high for their keen sense of smell. These breeds are often used for search-and-rescue missions or as detection dogs because they can find scents that are miles away, even in tough conditions.
Here’s a story from Quora: “We had a rather smelly neighbor when I was a kid on the farm. He’d occasionally walk down to see dad. Our German Shepherds did not like him. Dad used to say that the dogs could smell him coming a half mile away. That wasn’t entirely correct. It was more like 1/4th of a mile.”
Dogs That Don’t Smell as Much
Not all dogs are known for their sense of smell. Breeds like Greyhounds and Bulldogs, which have shorter noses, generally don’t have as many scent receptors. While they can still smell well compared to humans, they don’t have the same ability to detect scents over long distances as scent hounds do.
Regardless, all dogs may go on an adventure if they find their yard gate open, so keeping GPS Tracker on them is important. Having the perks of geofencing also allows you to make sure your dog stays within a specific area, no matter what they smell in the distance.
Why Do Dogs Smell Better Than Humans
As the descendents of wolves, dogs are designed to smell potential prey or intruders on their territories from miles away.
They have up to 300 million scent receptors in their noses. To put that in perspective, humans only have about 6 million.
That means a dog’s sense of smell is thousands of times stronger than ours. In fact, it said that they can detect a single drop of liquid in 20 Olympic-sized pools.
They can breathe in through their nostrils and exhale through the sides of their nose at the same time, which helps them sample smells more effectively. Plus, their brains have a large area dedicated to processing scents, making them much better at recognizing and remembering different smells.
Conclusion
Dogs’ sense of smell is truly amazing. Depending on the breed and weather conditions, they can pick up scents from miles away. Some breeds like Bloodhounds and Beagles are especially skilled at tracking smells, while shorter-nosed breeds may not be as sensitive.
Was this article helpful?
Help us make our articles even better
