Dogs' Sense of Smell: What Really Affects Its Quality 0 10

There is a common belief that exceptional olfaction is characteristic only of certain dog breeds, such as German Shepherds and Bloodhounds, while other breeds lack such abilities. However, a new study by scientists debunks this myth, claiming that the quality of smell depends on other factors.

The researchers decided to study the ability of domestic dogs, wolves, and coyotes to detect scents. To do this, they conducted 3D modeling of 104 skulls from 45 different dog breeds, as well as skulls from one species of wolf and one species of coyote. Based on these models, the scientists measured the area of the cribriform plate, which contains the olfactory nerves that transmit information about smells to the brain. The study of this particular part of the skull is due to the fact that a larger cribriform plate relative to the size of the mammal's body may indicate a more developed sense of smell.

In addition, the scientists investigated the genetic characteristics of dogs. They analyzed the genomes of 111 domestic breeds, 27 wolves, and four coyotes to determine how many genes responsible for scent perception are present in each species.

What conclusions did the researchers reach? Domestic dogs, which were wild centuries ago, have a less acute sense of smell compared to wolves and coyotes. The scientists suggest that this is related to the process of domestication and dependence on humans.

However, contrary to popular belief, the researchers found no genetic or anatomical evidence that some breeds of domestic dogs have a more developed sense of smell than others. According to the scientists, significant genetic differences could not be identified, as most modern breeds emerged during the Victorian era, which left insufficient time for noticeable genetic changes to form.

But why do we think that some dogs are more sensitive to smells? The researchers believe that behavioral characteristics, such as a desire to please or a high level of endurance, contribute to making some dogs more responsive to scents than others.