When dogs start sniffing each other, we often feel confused and wonder: 'Why the rear end?' Humans are not accustomed to sniffing intimate areas when meeting someone, so why do dogs do it?
This ritual allows animals to gather complete information about each other. It helps them establish contact and adapt in society. Sniffing the rear end is to dogs what a handshake is to humans.
Why the rear end?
The sense of smell in dogs is 10,000 to 100,000 times better than that of humans. They have a unique part of their nose known as the Jacobson's organ, which allows them to ignore the smell of feces while sniffing another dog. This organ detects more important scents: there are special glands located on either side of the anus that release chemicals that attract dogs!
These chemicals contain a wealth of information about other dogs. They help determine the sex, age, diet, health status, and even the mood of the other dog! The scents also signal familiarity, as dogs have excellent memories for smells, and a familiar scent indicates that your pet has encountered that dog before (or has not yet).
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