G'day,
A dog’s sense of smell is many times more sensitive than ours, but why do they have to get so close to smell each other’s bottoms? Couldn't they pick up the scent from far away?
Do dogs who sniff each other bottoms fight or is bottom sniffing a kind of sign of peace between them? A sign of affection maybe?
Don't they sniff their masters' crotch as well - it couldn't be for identification. This behaviour must have another purpose for sure.
Do dogs have scent glands around their noses? If so this would be one way of putting their own scent on the other animal. BTW my ferrets also do it.
Regards,
Christina