Get a whiff of this! Why dogs love to stick their heads out of the window

 

Nia Dalton

(Image: Sandy Arthurs)

We all love the feeling of fresh air on our face and the wind blowing through our hair - and it seems our dogs do too.

If you’ve ever taken your dog for a ride, they’ve most likely stuck their tongue out the open car window and wagged their tail in glee. 

But why do they love it so much?

Believe it or not, it has little to do with the scenery and cold breeze - and everything to do with their nose! The reason dogs like to stick their heads out of car windows is because the wind smells so good.

Dogs have 300 million olfactory receptors in their nose - compared to humans with six million. Their head is full of sensors, so when they stick their head into the moving wind, it’s a sensory overload.

Their incredible noses will pick up an infinite number of new smells outside.

While you get a strong whiff of the passing farm manure, it’s likely they’ll smell the cow’s milk, farm shop’s brewed coffee and freshly cut grass, too.

Despite our dogs really loving it - sticking their head out of the window could land you with a serious £2,500 fine and three points on your license.

So, TeamDogs writer Danielle advises: “It’s important to make sure that your dog is properly restrained - with either a crate, or a belt or a harness - you’ll help to make sure they’re safe, you’re focused on driving and other drivers are too.”

Here are some snaps of your dogs loving life in the car - we wonder what they’re sniffing out! The service station Costa Coffee? A fellow doggy friend nearby? The sweet smell of the motorway burger van?

This is Holly. She loves the wind in her hair but her beard gets in the way.

(Image: Alyson)

This is Juno. She’s the fun friend you want in your Uber.

(Image: Shirley Black)

This is Jefferson the racer boy. He’s too cool for a car. 

(Image: Ruth Bere)

This is Xena. He saw the kids sticking their tongues out and wanted to join in.

(Image: Eeee)

https://teamdogs.co.uk/articles/get-a-whiff-of-this-why-dogs-love-to-stick-their-heads-out-of-the-window?fbclid=IwAR0tV5LBuwEb2wWFzW6Fauf_yaT-rszMa2tc4BOiIu6A27afw1DO5ak-CZQ