The dog's snout is a region full of curiosities! Have you ever wondered how dogs can recognize very specific smells and even sniff out traces that are left behind? This is because the dog's sense of smell is much more acute than ours and is one of the main ways they relate to the world. Every guardian should pay special attentionon the dog's nose: sometimes the muzzle gives off some signals that something is not going well with the health of your four-legged friend. To clarify some questions about this part of the canine body, the Paws of the House has prepared an article full of important information: from the anatomy of the dog's snout to health issues related to this part of his body. Check it out!

The anatomy of a dog's muzzle is full of particularities

The shape of the dog's nose can vary greatly: some have this part of the body more elongated, others have this region shorter - which is the case of brachycephalic dogs. This is an aspect that has a certain influence on the animal's nose, but in general the working mechanism for all dogs is the same: when inhaling, the air that "enters" through the nasal cavity is received by two sides.separate compartments - one for breathing and one for smelling. This means that, in general, dogs do not even need to concentrate to smell specific smells, as this happens completely naturally and involuntarily.

What's more, a great curiosity about a dog's nose is that, just like human fingers, it also has unique fingerprints. It is this, in fact, that helps to record the "identity" of each animal. There are small lines around the dog's muzzle that are unique and no other doggy in the world will have one like it. A "nose print" could even be made, in the same way thathappens with human fingerprints, but this is not recommended because not all races could undergo this procedure.

Dog's nose: understand how dogs have such a keen sense of smell

To understand how dogs' sense of smell works, the first question to be answered is: "how many olfactory cells does a dog have?" Believe it or not, but these animals have about 200 million olfactory cells, which means they have a sense of smell up to 40 times more accurate than humans, who have around 5 million sensory cells. This is precisely what helps dogs to smell better.have such a developed sense of smell, capable of distinguishing a large number and variety of odors, even at a distance. It is also worth mentioning that every smell felt by dogs is "stored" in their memory, and this is the reason why some breeds are so used for jobs, such as rescue situations and/or police operations.

Another factor that contributes to this keen sense of smell is the separation that takes place within the nose itself, since there is a specific nostril for breathing and another for sniffing. In addition, inhalation and exhalation also take place through different locations: while humans inhale and exhale through the same orifice, dogs capture air through the frontal fossae and release it through the sides.

Muzzle: dog depends on the shape for a more or less developed sense of smell

As already mentioned, dogs can have different muzzle shapes and sizes as well. This is something that directly interferes with the animal's olfactory capacity: too long or too short a dog's muzzle ends up being an obstacle in the perception of smells. Dogs with flattened muzzles, called brachycephalic, for example, have some difficulty breathing andSome breeds with this condition are: Shih Tzu, Pug, English Bulldog and French. On the other hand, there are also dog breeds that generally have this more acute sense, such as the Labrador, Beagle, German Shepherd and Basset Hound.

The dog's sense of smell is so powerful that the animal is able to store the different smells in memory Each dog muzzle has unique traits that resemble human fingerprints Dog nose: some breeds have a flatter and shorter nose, such as the English and French Bulldog Muzzle: Dogs are one of the animals with the most accurate sense of smell! Hot dog snout may be because of sun exposure or indicate health problem

Some specific situations to keep an eye on dog snouts!

- Icy dog snout

When you touch your dog's snout and notice that it's cold, it's strange. After all, how can the snout be colder than the rest of the animal's body? But rest assured: the cold and moist dog snout indicates that your puppy is well and super healthy. In fact, this is because it is a way that the animal finds to regulate its body temperature and, in additionIn addition, the humidity of the dog's nose helps to capture odours in the air, since the aromatic molecules are transported by the wind. So don't worry about a cold dog's nose! The problem is if it gets hot, dry or injured, because in these cases something is probably wrong with your friend's health.

- Hot dog snout

Have you touched your dog's nose and noticed that it is warmer than usual? This could be a warning sign! If there is no apparent reason for this to have happened (hot days can end up causing a hot dog muzzle) and your four-legged friend has been showing the symptom for a prolonged period, the best alternative is to take him to the vet. This is usually one of thesigns that the doggy has a fever and, consequently, his body is dealing with an infection. It is worth keeping an eye on whether your friend is also showing other signs - if he is very quiet or has stopped feeding, for example.

- Dry or peeling dog snout

If the dog's muzzle has started to become dry or peel off out of nowhere, it is also important to be aware. As well as the hot dog muzzle, the weather can also influence this situation, since if the dog is exposed to the sun for long hours the area may show dryness. If this is not the case, the dry (and hot) dog muzzle for many days is a sign that the animal is withIn addition to the scaling, other evidence of the problem are: nosebleeds, intense itching in the area and yellow or greenish discharge from the dog's nose. The reasons for this situation may vary, but are usually associated with low immunity or canine parvovirus. It is essential to consult a veterinarian in this situation.

- Sore or swollen dog muzzle

If you've noticed your dog's nose looking different, it's worth paying extra attention. Non-healing sores, lesions, whitening and/or peeling of the skin are typical signs of a dog's nose with leishmaniasis. This is a very serious disease that has varied symptoms, and sores on the dog's nose is one of them. Be aware of this and other clinical signs of leishmaniasis.disease and seek a specialist if there is any suspicion of the problem.

Swelling, on the other hand, can occur if the animal is bitten by insects. If this is the case, the help of the veterinarian is also important to start the best treatment, since the swelling can end up impairing the animal's breathing.

Muzzle: dogs need some specific care for the area

Because it is a very delicate region, it is important to take some care with the dog's nose - especially when bathing. To begin with, the ideal is that the tutor prefers hypoallergenic products, that is, a product with low potential to cause any type of allergy. In addition, it is recommended to avoid direct contact of the muzzle with soap and water, so as not to run the risk of the doggyinhale the products by accident.

After bathing, don't forget to dry your pet very well, but always be careful: using a hairdryer too close to the dog's nose can end up bothering the animal. Therefore, avoid using the accessory too close to his face - the rest of the body does not suffer so much from this discomfort. For the rest, always make sure that the dog has a clean muzzle and is free of secretions. In case of suspicionof any problem with your dog's breathing, do not hesitate to go to a doctor. The sense of smell is one of the most important parts of the dogs' body and needs care.