Dog's Exceptional Hearing: Unveiling the Canine Auditor

More often than not, we find ourselves fixated on the dazzling traits of certain creatures, such as a dog's keen sense of smell. Yet, we overlook the myriad of other remarkable qualities they possess, which, though not as spectacular as their standout features, are no less impressive.

Today's article aims to shed light on the extraordinary auditory capabilities of dogs.

The Second Sense

The nose is the first sense of a dog, an organ of paramount importance to them. The ear, however, is the second, as exemplified by the exceptional police dogs. An outstanding police dog must not only have a sharp nose but also an exceptional ear. This is why many countries avoid using pure white dogs as police or military canines, as white dogs are most susceptible to hereditary deafness.

Now, how powerful is a dog's hearing?

Dogs can hear sounds ranging from 67Hz to 45,000Hz, cats can detect frequencies from 48Hz to 85,000Hz, while humans are limited to 20Hz to 20,000Hz.

Many might be unclear about the concept of sound frequency (Hz), but we encounter various sounds daily. For instance, a man's voice typically ranges around 120Hz, while a woman's voice is around 250Hz.

It is evident that dogs have a significantly superior hearing ability compared to humans. This is why they can pick up on quieter sounds, such as a mouse in the corner, and also detect a wider range of noises, which explains why some dogs react so intensely to fireworks.

What sounds do dogs dislike?

To understand this, we must first grasp the composition of sound. A sound is made up of the frequency (Hz) of the sound wave and the decibel (dB) level of the sound.

The frequency determines whether the sound is low or high, while the decibel level determines whether the sound is soft or loud.

From the information above, it's clear that with such powerful and sensitive ears, dogs would naturally dislike loud noises. And indeed, they do.

Any sound above 85 decibels can harm a dog's ears, which is why dogs that have been kept in pet stores for long periods can become overly sensitive. The constant barking of other dogs can stimulate their ears, even if the dog itself does not bark.

Imagine being confined to a small space all day, subjected to the constant noise of other dogs. Who could withstand such an environment?

Furthermore, studies have shown that dogs that bark frequently, especially large breeds with loud voices, often experience hearing loss as they age. This is akin to a referee on a football field constantly blowing a whistle, which can affect their own hearing.

Humans can use earplugs, but dogs cannot.

Finally, is there a connection between a dog's hearing and its breed?

It has been found that dogs generally have similar hearing abilities. However, why do some dogs show curiosity towards sound sources, while others remain unresponsive? This is due to genetics.

Owners of Border Collies, Golden Retrievers, and various terriers will notice that their dogs instinctively perk up and search for the source of any unusual noise, especially at night.

However, the same noise at night may go unnoticed by many Bulldogs. Scientists believe this is due to the genetic differences between breeds. Bulldogs, whose ancestors relied on their strength and sight to fight bulls, differ from hunting dogs, which had to be sensitive to the sounds of more agile prey.

Terriers are similar, but梗犬are even more sensitive to sound because they were bred to capture small prey, such as mice, while hunting dogs had to deal with prey of similar or even larger size.