Why Do Dogs Like to Sniff People’s Crotches?

1 Overview

On top of that, a dog’s nose has a special processor – the Jacobson’s organ – that connects directly to the brain, analyzing the scents the nose collects and handing the result to the brain, which then decides. Detection and explosives dogs are breeds selected for a stronger Jacobson’s organ.

After all this, what does it have to do with dogs liking to sniff crotches?

Plenty. The reason dogs like sniffing your crotch is that below it are sweat glands and apocrine glands, which release all kinds of pheromones – your age, sex, mood, and so on.

In humans, apocrine glands are found only in the armpits, areolae, labia, around the navel, and the perianal area. Dogs have them all over, but in both species the most developed apocrine glands are around the genitals and anus.

The most direct way dogs communicate with each other is by sniffing the rear. That’s exactly why a dog will come right up to your crotch – it’s the perfect way for it to learn your current state.

Of course, some dogs prefer sniffing their owner’s armpits, but clearly that’s harder to reach than the crotch.

Simply put: it may look like it’s being fresh with you, but it’s really a clash of titans – the most powerful scent organ versus the strongest source of pheromones.

So when will a dog sniff your crotch?

This behavior actually follows patterns; the most common reasons are:

Someone who has recently been sexually active

Someone about to start or currently menstruating

A woman who has recently given birth

All three sharply multiply what the apocrine glands release. Under these conditions, even a dog that has never gone for your crotch before may come at you.

This isn’t an exaggeration – some U.S. farms already use Australian Shepherds to sniff cows and pinpoint the best ovulation window, raising breeding success.

So how do you stop it from sniffing guests’ crotches?

The method is simple: when a guest arrives, have them offer a hand for the dog to sniff thoroughly. The hands have fewer scent glands than the crotch, but for a curious dog that’s still enough to learn the guest’s true identity.