Does your four-legged friend seem fascinated by visitors’ private parts? Far from being rude, this attitude actually reveals an essential mode of sensory exchange among our canine friends. Discover the secrets of this little-known olfactory language.
The canine snout: an olfactory supercomputer
For our four-legged friends, smell is more than just a sense—it’s their primary way of communicating with their surroundings. While we humans have around 6 million olfactory receptors, our dogs have nearly 300 million! This colossal difference explains why their understanding of the world is primarily based on smells.
When they sniff another living being, whether human or animal, they are actually interpreting a true chemical biography that is completely imperceptible to us, but which provides them with a wealth of valuable information.
Genitals: their olfactory database
Contrary to appearances, this behavior is not a whim or a sign of bad manners. Intimate areas are particularly attractive to dogs because they contain apocrine glands, which emit pheromones. These chemical molecules contain essential data: emotional state, physical condition, stress level, and even hormonal status.
In canine language, this olfactory curiosity is equivalent to our way of exchanging pleasantries. Think of it as their version of “Hello, how are you?” or a welcome kiss.
