Ask A Scientist© Veterinary Topics Archive

name         Chris S.
status       other
age          20s

Question -   Hello,
I was wondering the specific reasoning for the way
dog's greet other  dogs?  Why do they smell each other?  Also, where
could I find this information, (web site, book, magazine)?
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Hi Chris
The animals communicate.That communication uses as
external way the senses organs and through them the
impressions are transmitted to the brain and
interpreted by various and complexes ways.
It is called pheromone any chemical used in
intraspecific communication between animals. These
chemicals may be secreted by special glands or
incorporated in other products such as excretory 
urine. Many of them are sex attractants. Dogs have the
sense of smell very well displayed. Remember the chase
dogs for example. They find mostly through the
sense of smell. When the dogs (and other animals,
like the cat) greet others they go through the 
pheronome that is located at the anal glands. So by
their way of greet, they are recognizing( or not)
themselves. That happen elsewhere at the animal
kingdom, look at the ants, and the bees.
And.the humam mammal has of course pheronomes,
only... we are more discreet. But some scientists say
that pheronomes play a part in simphatizing  (or not)
some other person at first sight.
And thanks for asking NEWTON!

Mabel
(Dr. Mabel Rodrigues)
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