Buzz
You often see them chasing criminals in films, but is that just movie magic, or do bloodhounds really have the best sense of smell?
Bloodhounds are widely considered the top contenders in the tracking game. Nicknamed 'noses with paws,' their remarkable tracking abilities stem from the abundance of olfactory receptors, or 'scent cells,' in their moist noses, which are adept at detecting odor molecules. For comparison, a human's olfactory membrane is roughly the size of a postage stamp and houses 5 million receptors. A large breed like a German Shepherd has a bigger membrane with around 225 million receptors.
The scent hounds, a category that includes foxhounds, beagles, catahoulas, bloodhounds, and other breeds, leave other dogs—and their handlers—far behind. These dogs possess broad, deep nasal passages that can hold substantial olfactory membranes and a significant number of scent-detecting cells. The beagle, although half the size of a German Shepherd, shares the same amount of olfactory receptors as the larger dog. But the bloodhound takes the crown, boasting 300 million scent cells, the highest count in the canine world.
While scent cells are crucial, there are other traits that contribute to a bloodhound's tracking prowess. Their droopy ears and wrinkled skin assist in gathering scent molecules, funneling them towards their noses. The strength in their necks and shoulders allows them to maintain a focused sniff for long stretches without tiring. Handlers also report that bloodhounds are a pleasure to work with—they interact well with humans, have a strong desire to please, and remain focused during training and on the job.
