Dogs are blindly trusted for their sense of smelling. They are enrolled in service teams, bomb squads, hunting team and many more because of their gift of smelling distinct scents and do the identification. But, did you know that just like their nose can identify distinct smells; dogs can be identified by their unique nose prints? Yes! Just like our fingerprints, dog’s nose prints are unique and could be used for their identification. Isn’t it wonderful? There are a few more facts about your dog’s nose, which may make you brood over it.
Let’s check the 5 wonders of your dog’s nose!
- Nose structure- Built to smell!
The nose structure of humans and dogs is very similar. Both have scroll-shaped plates, called turbinate inside the nose. These turbinate bones play an important role in the scent detection skill of dogs. They support the thick, spongy membrane which contains most of the scent detecting cells and the nerves that takes olfactory information to the brain. When the structure is same in humans and dogs, what make dogs stronger at the recognition of smells?
Well, the size of the scent detecting area is the catch! This area is about the size of a post stamp in humans. While in dogs, it can be as large as an A4 piece of paper. Though the size of the scent detecting area varies according to different dog breeds, even flat nosed breeds are better at detecting odors than humans.
- The nose-brain bridge- Smell interpreter!
Though your dog’s brain is about the tenth of the size of a human brain, its olfactory area is about 40 times larger than the same area in humans. Due to this, the sense of odor in dogs is 10,000 to 10,000,000 times more sensitive than our sense of smell. As the olfactory area is larger, the interpretation of smell is stronger and more dependable in dogs.
- Odor prints- Sensors to identify us
There is a specific odor print through which dogs identify us. When they smell, they map that it and identify us by matching it with the print. Almost similar like our biometrics! Isn’t it? They can also identify fear, anxiety, sadness, happiness, etc. You may have noticed how your pooch comes to comfort when you get butterflies in your gut. That’s because your furry friend can also smell the adrenaline rush in your body and understands that you are in need of comfort or assurance.
- Sniffing- It’s their communication skill too!
Have you ever wondered how do dogs communicate? It is still unproven scientifically, but the fact that dogs communicate through scent is intriguing. They sniff other dogs to communicate with them and to know their neighborhood.
- Your pooch’s nose is unique- Just like your finger prints!
The surface of a dog’s nose has the features as our whorls on our fingers, unique. Everything about your dog’s nose like the ridges, lines, dimples, and the opening pattern of the nostrils is different from other canines. The unique pattern of your dog’s nose can set him apart from other dogs.
Do you want to collect your dog’s nose print? It is a great idea to get it for the memory of his uniqueness. Clean your dog’s nose with a clean, damp cloth. Soak a paper towel in food color (no other color is recommended) and dab it on your dog’s nose. Press a piece of paper over his nose and make sure you to cover the sides. This may take several attempts to get it right, but is worth it! It is not recommended to overlook your dog’s comfort and safety. All the best!
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