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These are the dogs with the most sensitive sense of smell in the canine world.These are the dogs with the most sensitive sense of smell in the canine world.
These are the dogs with the most sensitive sense of smell in the canine world.

Dogs That Smell: These are the 10 breeds of adorable dog with the best sense of smell - including the loving Labrador Retriever 🐕

These sensitively-nosed dog breeds can smell a snack from a huge distance.
By David Hepburn
Published 20th Aug 2021, 11:49 BST
Updated 30th May 2023, 08:24 BST

One of the unexpected effects of the global pandemic – and the resulting series of lockdowns – was an increase in demand for puppies.

And the extent of that soaring in demand has been shown by the latest registrations statistics from the UK Kennel Club, up nearly 40 per cent from 250,649 in 2020 to 349,013 in 2021.

But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pooch – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or crossbreed.

Some dogs have the most amazing sense of smell, an attribute that has often been intentionally bred into them to make them perfect for tasks such as tracking prey.

These are also dogs that are likely to be able to sniff out food, making it a challenge to keep them from stealing your lunch.

These are the 10 breeds of dog with the best sense of smell, according to the American Kennel Club.

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With a record-breaking 300 million scent receptors, the Bloodhound is the gold medal-winner for sniffing out anything you may want to find. They've been used to find many things over the years - not least fleeing criminals - and can follow a scent trail on the ground or in the air.

1. Bloodhound

With a record-breaking 300 million scent receptors, the Bloodhound is the gold medal-winner for sniffing out anything you may want to find. They've been used to find many things over the years - not least fleeing criminals - and can follow a scent trail on the ground or in the air. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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Only officially recognised as a distinct breed by the UK Kennel Club in 2018, the Black and Tan Coonhound was bred in the United States to track raccoons over long distances with their amazing sense of smell. Their bark becomes more regular as they get closer to their prey.

2. Black and Tan Coonhound

Only officially recognised as a distinct breed by the UK Kennel Club in 2018, the Black and Tan Coonhound was bred in the United States to track raccoons over long distances with their amazing sense of smell. Their bark becomes more regular as they get closer to their prey. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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As well as using their impressive olfactory abilities to find bombs and drugs, the Labrador Retriever is also used by medics to sniff out patients suffering from cancer and low blood sugar levels.

3. Labrador Retriever

As well as using their impressive olfactory abilities to find bombs and drugs, the Labrador Retriever is also used by medics to sniff out patients suffering from cancer and low blood sugar levels. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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Originally used for herding, nowadays the army, police and search and rescue services all make good use of the German Shepherd's 225 million scent receptors. Unlike some of the other dogs on this list, they mainly use scent held in the air, rather than the ground, to track.

4. German Shepherd

Originally used for herding, nowadays the army, police and search and rescue services all make good use of the German Shepherd's 225 million scent receptors. Unlike some of the other dogs on this list, they mainly use scent held in the air, rather than the ground, to track. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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