15 Dog Breeds With the Best Noses

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, often described as their superpower. While all dogs have exceptional olfactory ability, some breeds stand out in the sniffing department. These canines use their noses for various tasks, from search and rescue to detecting diseases. Here are 15 dog breeds with the best noses, sure to impress you with their extraordinary sniffing skills.
Bloodhound

Recognized as the king of scent hounds, this breed can track days-old scents. The breed’s long ears and droopy skin help channel scents toward its nose. Because of their unmatched tracking abilities, bloodhounds are pros at search and rescue missions.
Basset Hound

With ears practically sweeping the ground, Basset Hounds excel in scent detection. This breed’s short legs keep their nose close to the action. The combination of their hunting and tracking skills is second to none, and their distinct, floppy ears enhance their sensory capabilities.
Beagle

Beagles are not just adorable but also fantastic sniffers with over 220 million scent receptors. Usually used in airport security, Beagles can easily detect contraband and illegal substances. Their curious nature and excellent sniffing ability make them perfect for tracking.
Border Collie

These dogs are usually employed in search and rescue activities, where their keen sense of smell helps locate missing persons. Border Collies’ high energy and agility enable them to move through rugged terrain quickly. Their combination of trainability and olfactory skills makes them versatile in all scent-detection roles.
Poodle

Poodles are not just about fancy haircuts; they have excellent noses that make them skilled in detection work. These dogs are used in scent detection roles, including tracking and identifying various substances. Poodles’ brilliant nature and trainability allow them to excel in scent-based tasks despite their elegant appearance.
English Foxhound

English Foxhounds are superb trackers with a nose that’s always on the trail. This breed’s sense of smell is essential in fox hunting. They function in packs because their skills are amplified through teamwork. English Foxhounds can work in various terrains, and their keen olfactory senses are complemented by their strong work ethic.
German Shepherd

Known for their versatility, German Shepherds are seen in police and military roles. Their sharp noses can detect explosives, drugs, and even human remains. Their intelligence and trainability complement this breed’s fantastic sense of smell. Because of this, you’ll always find German Shepherds as part of search and rescue mission teams.
Labrador Retriever

Labradors are not only great family pets but also have exceptional noses. Primarily used as guide dogs, they can detect shifts in blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Friendly disposition and keen sense of smell make them ideal for various roles, such as detecting explosives and narcotics.
Belgian Malinois

A close relative of the German Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois is favored in police and military work for its sharp nose and quick reflexes. They are trained to discover explosives, drugs, and people buried under rubble. They can even track down criminals. Belgian Malinois’ intense focus makes them ideal for such high-stakes detection tasks.
Springer Spaniel

Energetic and enthusiastic, Springer Spaniels specializes in search and rescue and narcotics detection. Their keen sense of smell allows them to shine at finding people and substances in challenging environments—dumpsters and forests. Springer Spaniels’ agility enables them to cover large areas quickly and efficiently.
Coonhound

Coonhounds are Trained to hunt raccoons and other small game and possess an extraordinary sense of smell. These dogs are known for their ability to track scents in long distances and rough terrain. Coonhounds’ baying bark helps hunters locate them while they’re on a scent trail, and this makes them invaluable in hunting scenarios.
Dachshund

Don’t let their small size fool you—Dachshunds have an impressive sense of smell that makes them skilled in tracking and hunting. Originally bred to hunt badgers, these canines are adept at following scents through caves and underground tunnels. Also, with a low stature, they can follow ground scents.
Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are not only cherished family companions but also excellent scent detectors. Their noses are used in search and rescue missions and to detect various substances, including drugs and explosives. Golden Retrievers’ strong work ethic and trainability ensure they perform reliably in scent detection tasks.
English Setter

This dog’s sniffing ability is legendary among bird hunters. English Setters are skilled at detecting and pointing out game birds. Their sense of smell is so acute that they can locate birds from a considerable distance. Exceptional in hunting, their graceful movements and sensitive noses make them invaluable.
Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds are intelligent and energetic dogs with impressive noses. Their herding background gives them a keen sense of their surroundings. They are also great additions to search and rescue missions due to their agility. Aussies are highly trainable and eager to work, which enhances their natural abilities.