Although dogs interact with their world via all of their senses, olfaction seems to be one of the most important because it provides information not only about the current status of the environment, but can also allow detection of signals from the past (presence of prey, enemies, or some new, unknown traces in the surrounding environment). The sense of smell, used for chemical communication, is present in most creatures of the animal kingdom, and allows for the detection and recognition of chemical signals.

Here, we provide an overview of canine olfaction, discussing aspects connected with anatomy, physiology, behavioral aspects of sniffing, and factors influencing the olfactory abilities of the domestic dog ( Canis familiaris). Recent studies show that dogs can detect not only specific scents of drugs or explosives, but also changes in emotions as well as in human cell metabolism during various illnesses, including COVID-19 infection. Due to their extremely sensitive sense of smell, dogs could be used as modern, super-sensitive mobile area scanners, detecting specific chemical signals in real time in various environments outside the laboratory, and then tracking the odor of dynamic targets to their source, also in crowded places.

Using the strength of dogs’ sense of smell, humans work with dogs for the recognition of different odors, with a precision far exceeding the analytical capabilities of most modern instruments.

It is far more specialized and sensitive than humans’ sense of smell. Olfaction in dogs is crucial for gathering important information about the environment, recognizing individuals, making decisions, and learning. This article provides an overview of the anatomical features and physiological mechanisms involved in the process of odor detection and identification, as well as behavioral aspects of canine olfaction and its use in the service of humans in many fields. The specific anatomical and physiological features of dog olfaction allow humans to achieve outstanding results in the detection of drugs, explosives, and different illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, or infectious disease. Dogs can be trained by humans to use their olfactory abilities in a variety of fields, with a detection limit often much lower than that of sophisticated laboratory instruments. Dogs’ sense of smell seems to be the main sense, allowing them to not only gather both current and historical information about their surrounding environment, but also to find the source of the smell, which is crucial for locating food, danger, or partners for reproduction. Part fable, part dog story, part history lesson, the story of Laika''s brave and loving heart will captivate young and older readers alike, offering important lessons about world peace, science, and the deep bonds between humans and every other creature with whom we share the planet.Dogs have an extraordinary olfactory capability, which far exceeds that of humans. One day, a Russian scientist named Vlad offers Laika the chance to travel to the stars by helping him with an important experiment, an event that will change the entire world. Although she is loved by her pack, Laika longs to one day learn the names of the stars, since she knows that all dogs become stars when they die - including her parents. Laika is an orphaned stray dog who lives in the streets of Moscow in the 1950s in the then Soviet Union.

The heart-rending story of Laika, the brave canine space traveller.īy two of the co-creators of the acclaimed children''s book From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea: the moving and beautifully told story of Laika, the dog who learned the names of the stars.

Laika dog dead body