A new study by researchers from the University of Helsinki, the University of Eastern Finland, and Wise Nose–Scent Discrimination Association in Finland has shown that dogs have an even more remarkable sense of smell than previously believed.
These findings, published in the journal Animals, highlight that dogs can detect odor molecules at concentrations much lower than the detection thresholds of modern analytical instruments.
The study involved 15 dogs with various training backgrounds. Some dogs were experienced in nose work, a hobby and competitive sport, while others had been trained to identify diseases, mold, or pests.
The research aimed to determine the lowest concentration of eucalyptus hydrolate that the dogs could reliably detect.
In the experiments, dogs were asked to distinguish between samples containing low concentrations of eucalyptus hydrolate and samples containing only water.
The concentrations were gradually diluted to find the threshold at which the dogs could no longer identify the scent.
“The dogs’ scent detection threshold initially varied from 1:10⁴–1:10²³ but narrowed down to 1:10¹⁷–1:10²¹ after a training period,” said Anna Hielm-Björkman, the principal investigator from the University of Helsinki.
This means the dogs could detect as few as 1 to 10 molecules per milliliter of water. To put this in perspective, a single yeast cell contains about 42 million molecules.
The study also revealed significant variations between commercial eucalyptus hydrolate products commonly used in nose work.
When researchers analyzed 10 different products, they found varying concentrations of eucalyptol and lower alcohols. This variation affected the dogs’ ability to recognize the scent they were trained on.
Many dogs accustomed to commercial eucalyptus hydrolates struggled with the test because their noses are so precise that they could tell the difference between the study’s eucalyptus hydrolate and the commercial versions they were used to.
“This shows how important it is to use standardized nose work products in both training and sports competitions,” emphasized Soile Turunen, a visiting researcher from the University of Eastern Finland.
The study’s findings have practical applications. Dogs’ extraordinary sense of smell can be utilized in search and rescue operations and medical detection, among other fields. Understanding the limits and capabilities of their scent detection can enhance the effectiveness of these dogs in real-world situations.
In summary, this study underscores the incredible sensitivity of dogs’ noses and the need for consistent training materials to ensure their skills are accurately honed and utilized.
Source: University of Helsinki.
