Dogs Can Sniff Out the Differences Between Identical Twins

by ROSA 15.07.11 12:10

Who is who in this picture? Maybe you can’t tell the difference but your canine friend, Rover, might be able to help you out. According to recent study conducted by scientists in the Czech Republic, some dogs are able to distinguish between identical twins even when a DNA test cannot. Dogs in the experiment sniffed samples from sets of both identical and fraternal twins between the ages of 5 and 13 years old. Samples from unrelated children were included as well. In every trial, researchers found that the dogs could both match the twins’ scents and distinguish them from one another — indicating that even people with identical genes have their own unique scent.

Rover might need a little practice before performing this trick, however. All the dogs used in the experiment were German Shepherds and highly trained.

The scientists have published the results of their study online in the journal PLos ONE.
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2011/07/07/dogs-can-sniff-out-the-differences-between-identical-twins/[img][/img] Dogs Can Sniff Out the Differences Between Identical Twins Twins_507906-480x318

Dogs Can Sniff Out the Differences Between Identical Twins Twins_507906-480x318

Twins chow down at the Mule Skinner Saloon in Oxford; photo by Joel Sartore

by Guest 15.07.11 12:16

Wow, thanks for that Rosa, very interesting indeed.

by ROSA 15.07.11 12:26

i was lucky to find it
:flower:

by **PeterMac** 15.07.11 12:30

Try Wiki - Detection dog

Detection dogs have been trained to search for many substances, including:

Plants, animals, produce, and other agricultural items (used by customs services to detect possible invasive species such as Quagga mussel)
Cancer
Polycarbonate optical discs such as DVDs (used to search for bootleg recordings)
Crime evidence
Currency
Drugs
Diabetes
Bed bugs
Explosives
Mobile phones (as contraband in prisons)
Firearms
Human remains
Mold
Termites

They are remarkable creatures.