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Tuesday, March 05, 2013


Why do dogs like to roll on dead things?

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There are a variety of reasons and theories why a dog will roll in something that smells bad. But first of all, you must realize that what smells bad to humans may not smell so bad to a dog.


Cover up perfume

Sometimes dogs will roll in the grass or in something smelly right after getting a bath. Some dog shampoos have perfumes that may be pleasant to humans but smell awful to the animal. It is just an effort to mask the unpleasant and un-dog-like odor.


Mask own scent for hunting

The major theory why dogs will roll in smelly material is based on the relationship of domesticated canines to wolves.

Wolves will often roll in decomposing carcasses or the feces of plant eating animals or herbivores. This would mask their own scent and enable them to sneak up on their prey without detection. It could even fool members of the other species into accepting it as one of their own. This ancient instinct may have carried over to domesticated dogs.

Working and hunting dogs tend to roll in smelly stuff more often than other breeds. Perhaps this is because they are more closely related to wolves.


Advertise to the pack

Another school for thought is that dogs may roll in feces or a dead animal's remains to "advertise" what they have found to other members of the pack. Rolling in the material is a way for your dog to let you know that it found something interesting.

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THEY THINK IT SMELLS PRETTY... :) MINE ROLL AROUND IN POO SOMETIMES SO TRUST ME ITS NOT FUN FOR YOU TO CLEAN....


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LMAO at Hayden! Time for meemaw to go to the home!
The first answerer nailed it tho.


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It's the Chanel #5 of the canine world.


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My grandma likes to do the same thing.


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