Eyesight

In general, animals whose eyes are on either side of the face, as opposed to directly in front of a flatter face, will have a field of vision of approximately 250 degrees, compared to man’s 180 degrees. This makes dogs’ eyes remarkably sensitive to movement. Wolves, cousins to the dog, have been known to have the capacity to detect even the slightest movement of very small animals, such as insects, at more than 3 metres (10 feet), and the motion of large animals at considerable distances. Although canines do not see as much detail as humans they are able to see better in darkness. Their retinas have rods that are sensitive to low light levels, and they have a special light-reflecting layer- termed the tapetum lucidum – that makes use of available light. That reflector mechanism is what makes dogs’ eyes appear to glow in the dark.

Whilst they have the extra benefit of vision in dim light, canines have long been thought to be colour blind, able to see only contrasts of black and white. But more recent studies have proved that in fact dogs can differentiaye between red, yellow, blue, and green.

Hearing

The puppy’s ears, too as they develop fully, will be much more sensitibe than humans’. A sound that a man ca barely hear at 4 metres (13 feet), a dog can hear at more than 24 metres(80 feet). Wolves have been known to respond to howling from as fat away as 5 kilometres (3 miles). Canines can also hear high-pitched sounds that are inaudible to humans

Sense of Smell

More important, however, is the puppy’s sense of smell. Some experts say a dog’s olfactory powers are a million times more sensitive than a man’s; others stop at five hundred times the sensitivity. Even the latter seems extreme enough. In any case, the portion of a dog’s brain that controls sense of smell is approximately forty times the size of that in a human’s. Wolves have been known to detect their own kind from as far away as 2.5 kilometres (1.5miles).

From birth, puppies possess what many will always joke about: a wet, cold nose. This, too, has a purpose. Scent particles entering the nose are dissolved by nose secretions and brought into contact with the sensory cells of the nasal passages.
Whilst dogs are basically nose breathers, mouth breathing becomes much more important to them during hot weather and after exertion. Some short-nosed breeds, however, have difficulty breathing through the mouth because of compressed nasal passages as a result of too much selective breeding.

Tongues and Taste

Dogs also have a well-developed sense of taste, but their tongues are more closely identified with their role in maintaining body temperature. Although dogs have sweat glands throughtout the body, they also cool themselves by painting, which moves air over their wet tongue. The sweat glandsd manufacture a secretion that produces a dog’s personal odor and, on the paws, helps to keep te walking surface soft. Dogs’ coats also provide an insulating layer against heat.

Touch

A dog’s sense of touch is not known to be much different than that in humans. The most sensitive parts are the front of the nose, the tongue, the lips, and the paw pads. In addition, dogs have whiskers near the lips and above the eyes that are rather sensitive and useful in protecting these areas.

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