Comparing Scent Detection and Search Ability in Two Breeds of Dog

Abstract

Dogs have long been recognised for their excellent olfaction and search ability, and are employed in many crucial tasks including finding buried human remains (Lasseter et al. 2003), explosive detection (Gazit et al. 2005), and even locating endangered wildlife (Cabik et al. 2008; Smith el al. 2003). A number of studies have also demonstrated the ability of the canine to detect human diseases and abnormalities such as bladder cancer (Willis et al. 2004), lung cancer (McCulloch et al. 2006), and hyperglycaemia in diabetic (Um et 01. 1992; Stocks 2002) and non-diabetic patients (O'Connor et al. 2008). So far, most research has focused on the ability of dogs to detect, recognize and localize specific odours. Even though a variety of dog breeds have been used in these studies, a comparison of scent detection ability between breeds has not yet been published. Beagles and greyhounds are compared in this study because they have been selectively bred for very different tasks (hunting and racing). Beagles are well recognised for their ability to hunt and track game using skills that largely on their olfaction. On the contrary, greyhounds have been bred for racing; an activity that relies more on their vision than olfaction (Case 2005). It Is probable that, over time, the beagle has developed a more acute sense of smell than the greyhound resulting in superior ability for scent detection. The present study aims to investigate if this theory is plausible. We hypothesised that beagles would perform better than greyhounds in a detecting task, and they would predominantly use scent over vision In their search. In contrast, greyhounds would rely more on their vision than olfaction.