FROM THE ARCHIVES 2008

 

GREETINGS FROM THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

HOW DOGS SMELL (OR WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW) by Joe Ewing,

Executive High Hare Man of The Big Woods Hare Hunters of The Allegheny, Beagler, and Hare Hunter.

Sidney Crosby 2021

Every once in a while one comes across an interesting article in one of our “major” publications. The American Hunter magazine article is titled “How Dogs Smell…(Pretty Good Actually)” and caught my eye immediately. The author, a field Editor, by the name Ron Spomer, has apparently done his homework and research. Although the article is geared more toward bird dogs I can understand how the article relates to me and my lowly beagles. I could not put it down.

If you can find the magazine, The American Hunter, July 2008 edition I suggest you give it a look. It is only two pages, contains some very interesting information and confirms what beaglers have known forever and have argued over since the beginning of time.

“Have you ever wondered why no one hunts with a pug…”
[is how the article starts out. But then, Ron Spomer, the writer, gets right to the point.]

“A canine detects scents via microscopic receptor cells (ethmoidal cells) in its nose.”

“…, the human nose might house 5 million receptors. Your Labrador might have 250 million, a bloodhound 300 million!”

[I wonder how many “receptors” the typical beagle posses. A lot I bet. I would guess, not as many as a bloodhound but possibly more than a Labrador. The Labrador‘s nose is bigger than beagles and longer.]

“The human receptor area is about the size of a postage stamp, the dogs are the size of a Kleenex tissue, so a dog should be able to smell 100,000 times better than you.”

[Of course, they do! At least that many times better.]

“This is why we carry the guns and our dogs sniff the ground.”
[Cute.]

“The Mental Aspect”

“But ‘picking up’ odors is only part of it. A dog’s brain is built to thoroughly and efficiently interpret those scent signals; its olfactory area is about 40 times larger than ours. Dogs detect the odor layers, the individual scents layered one atop the other. Just as we remember visual things, dogs remember odoriferous things; thus sniffing that occurs when dogs greet one another.

In order to work at full capacity, olfactory receptors must remain damp. Those turbinate bones in the nose are covered in olfactory mucosa, a thick, spongy membrane covered in mucus, according to scientists at Purina. The moisture helps capture scent molecules, which are then processed by millions of hair-like cilia, which hold the ethmoidal cells. This is why sick dogs with dry noses don‘t detect odors very well. It‘s also why healthy dogs lick their noses. Keeping all those surface nooks and crannies moist helps pick up and hold scent molecules. Even the cracks under the outside corners of dog nostrils contribute to scenting by flaring to stir up molecules. Snorting or inhaling deeply and purposefully brings them into contact with nasal receptors. Floppy hound ears stir up the ground scent. Wrinkled skin captures rising odor molecules.”

“Ground vs. Air Scent”

“Ground scent is important because it sticks to surfaces and ‘hangs around‘ sometimes for days. But air scent, molecules floating or drifting in the air, is what enables bird dogs to catch wind of their prey with noses in the air…”

[This is probably why our hounds, sometimes, run off the line several feet to the right or left.]

“We do the same thing when we detect campfire smoke or cooking bratwurst on the breeze.”
“While most of us imagine that water washes away all scent, it doesn't. Oil floats in water…”

[This must be why hunting in the rain with beagles seems to go so much better.]
“…but damp ground helps hold them {scent}. The dry, dusty ground makes for poor scenting conditions. Giving a dog frequently, small drinks in hot, dry conditions can improve scenting.

Muzette Mountain Music 2021

[A beagling companion once said to me that a self-respecting hound can find his own water in all but drought conditions. In any case, if you watch the hounds closely, they will find water and drink it often. Something the author never mentioned was snow and scenting on snow which is a whole new ball game. Maybe bird hunters don’t hunt in the snow, cold and extreme conditions?]

“Can a Nose be Turned Off?”

“If you have ever wondered why a fresh dog often overruns birds, blame it on excitement. Overly eager dogs forget to switch on their noses or, more accurately, their olfactory brain detectors.”

[We always claim the hound don’t have brains. Now we know they just forget to switch it on. Some hounds don’t have anything to switch on.]

“They’re like kids on Christmas eve. Work on calming your dog rather than firing him up before hunts and training sessions. Stop a spastic dog that is running hither and yon. Most hunt more efficiently after that initial rush. Try to use body language and tone of voice to calm the passionate beast at the start.”

[Over the years, I noticed when the hounds have lost the rabbit and I have seen where the rabbit went it is counterproductive to yell and scream when trying to get the hounds back onto the track. Especially young hounds when training. Ideally, the hounds are out there to learn and they learn by doing and thus they need to learn to work it out. My interference teaches them nothing but to go crazy when I yell. Now when hunting with older, well-seasoned hounds that don’t go spastic, I may “tally-ho” them to the track. Lately, for the last 20 or 25 years, I have been using a calm voice to help out the boys and girls, but rarely.]

“Plenty of water and energy snacks can help, but proper conditioning and a high protein diet year-round are better preventives.”

[I always wondered why I never get around to changing to a “cheaper”, lower protein, lower-fat dog food in the summer. Now I know. “Proper” conditioning also means not overdoing it which I have been known to do. Most hounds I have known do not like to be over-trained.]

“Think of your dog’s scenting ability like any other athletic skill and train accordingly. Remember that at least half the equation is thinking or concentration or whatever it is a dog does to use that massive olfactory chunk of its brain. Sucking in the raw odors is just the start. It’s what your dog does with those molecules that determine your success together.”

There you have it. All there is to know about how dogs smell.

If you have any comments please write them down here. I would love to hear your thoughts and idea.