Dogs are the most common pet in the United States, with approximately 37% of households owning at least one dog. Dogs have been man’s companion for centuries, and are also considered to be a protector and best friend. A dog’s sense of smell is about 1,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than that of humans. This is because dogs have an olfactory epithelium which contains about 225 million scent receptors in their noses. Dogs can detect odors that humans cannot smell by going through their mouth (olfaction). They use this sense to identify other animals or people around them and find food sources. Dogs have a strong sense of smell, hearing and sight which makes them excellent protectors. They can also sense when something is wrong within their environment and will alert their owners by barking or growling.
