Source: Popular Science
A recent study published in Scientific Reports examined how scent detection ability varies among dog breeds. Surprisingly, border collies—a herding breed—outperformed some traditional hunting dogs like golden retrievers, vizslas, and basset/bloodhounds in finding hidden treats. However, beagles completed the task faster than all other breeds tested.
Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary tested 551 dogs using the Natural Detection Task, which required them to locate food hidden in different types of containers. The study found that breed-specific traits were more influential in scent detection than traditional breed group classifications (e.g., hunting vs. herding). Dogs with higher responsiveness to training performed better, but advanced training did not improve success.
These findings suggest that genetics and environmental factors play a key role in scent detection ability. The study also supports the Natural Detection Task as a valuable tool for selecting young or inexperienced dogs for search-and-detection work.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.popsci.com/environment/border-collies-vs-hunting-dogs-smell/