Secret behind dogs’ cold noses revealed by scientists

Experts in Sweden and Hungary study three dogs who are able to detect very faint heat sources with just their noses.

Monday 2 March 2020 10:10, UK

Researchers believe they have solved the mystery surrounding dogs’ noses and why they are so cold.

A study revealed the phenomenon is down to their sniffers serving as ultra-sensitive heat detectors – and not anything to do with body temperature regulation.Sponsored link

Scientists in Sweden and Hungary found that when the ambient temperature was 30C, a dog’s rhinarium – or the bare end point of the nose – was 5C cooler.

And when the outside temperature was 0C, a dog’s nose would be about 8C. The two factors equal out at 15C.

Such differences suggest the tip of the nose serves as a sensory function, according to the study published in the Scientific Reports journal.

It showed a dog’s nose can detect very faint heat sources – such as small animals – from 1.5m (5ft) away.

Researchers from Lund University and Eotvos Larand University studied three dogs, who were trained to identify which of two identical four-inch wide objects had been heated 12C warmer than room temperature.