The dog discovers the world mainly with its sense of smell. Its snout, much more efficient than a human's nose, allows it to perceive a multitude of molecules invisible to us. Each meeting between doggies therefore allows for the exchange of myriads of information.
If the hindquarters are often the first area inspected, the ears also attract a lot of attention from our 4-legged companions. And for good reason! They house ceruminous glands which produce cerumen, a substance which protects the ear canal and has an odor specific to each individual.
By sniffing the ears of a fellow dog, your dog gains access to a sort of chemical identity card. The smell varies depending on several factors, such as age, diet, lifestyle and even state of health. In a few seconds, it can gather a lot of useful information before engaging or not initiating an interaction.
A way to assess the health status of a conspecific
The odors present in the ears also provide information on the physical condition of the other dog. Certain changes in earwax may be linked to an infection, the presence of parasites or an imbalance in the ear flora.
Without making a diagnosis, your little companion is able to detect these changes thanks to his highly developed sense of smell. He can then adapt his behavior, by remaining cautious or, on the contrary, by being more at ease if the signals perceived seem familiar to him.
A natural behavior, which should not be interrupted
When they meet in good conditions, dogs often follow a well-established ritual. They sniff at different places on the body, including the muzzle, sides, hindquarters and sometimes the ears. This step allows them to get to know each other and determine each other’s intentions.
Unless one of the doggies is showing signs of discomfort or tension, it is best to let this behavior happen naturally. Systematically interrupting these exchanges can complicate communication between canines and create frustration.
But if a dog sniffs the ears of all his peers with unusual insistence, or if he is excessively interested in his own ears, a veterinary consultation may be useful. An ear condition or a behavioral disorder can sometimes explain this change in attitude.