How well do dogs hear?

As we’ve seen many times, a dog sense of smell is thousands of times greater than a human’s.

Eyesight is pretty much a tie. We can see more colors, but like all good hunting animals, they see better in the dark and can detect motion at great distances.

 

Their hearing is keener than human hearing, but much depends on breed, genetics and age.

Generally dogs are able to hear higher frequencies than humans, like a dog whistle which emits sound in the ultrasonic range. Engines and household appliances such as vacuum cleaners are far more frightening or annoying to dogs than to us  because of their ability to hear frequencies we can’t.

 

I'm always puzzled at why some of the dogs in our neighborhood (not mine) howl at ambulance sirens. If it hurts their ears, as some suggest, why would they add to the decibel level and increase their pain?

A better explanation is that the siren sounds like howling and they want to join in. "Hey, I'm here and I'm bored and lonely."

 

Pointy ear dogs, such as Chihuahuas, Huskies, and German Shepherds carry little antennae around on their heads. Using 18 or more different muscles they can move their ears and cock their heads toward a sound to get the best reception and figure out where the sound is coming from.

(Chihuahuas seem to hear everything in their zip codes and are most eager to let everyone know.)

 

With floppy eared dogs bred for hunting and tracking, e.g. Poodles, Beagles, and Bassett hounds, the floppy ears muffle the sounds somewhat so the dog isn’t distracted from the job at hand by extraneous noises.

 

We’re all probably amazed at what our dogs can or seem to be able to hear.

My dogs, and maybe yours, can hear a car drive into the driveway and know whether it contains a friend or a stranger. They can hear a package of treats being opened from the other end of the house.

It may be that different engines have frequencies that only dogs can hear and it may be that their incredible sense of smell is also involved in what they seem to be hearing.

 

Since dogs age faster than humans, depending on genetics a dog of 6-8-years-old may begin to lose hearing. However, this is also the age when a dog has developed the sophistication and experience to know what to tune out.

Through the years, the early recall training which once meant treats and praise may have come to mean stop chasing the squirrel, bathtime, medicine, or some other mundane activity that is of no interest to the dog. The older dog may develop selective hearing, something most humans develop at an early age.

An older dog may not respond to his name, but often they can hear cheese hit vinyl from several rooms away.

 

Comments

[yellowdoggranny]

Dexter can be in the hallway or dining room or even the bedroom and if Barbara drive up he knows it's her car and will come out to greet her..

[cube]

They are amazing critters. My husband and my eldest daughter both drive Dodge Ram 1500 trucks. Our dogs are very familiar with the engine noise of those trucks, to the point that when one drives by our house, the dogs perk up listening for whether or not it will pull into our driveway. If it does, doggie pandemonium ensues.

Our German Shepherd, Elke, is a perfect example of selective hearing. Her ability to hear snack bags opening or food being dropped is uncanny, yet she acts pokey when she's being called and is more interested in some new smell. Our Doberman, Maxine, who despite floppy ears can hear just as well, comes instantly when called.

[geogia little pea]

What a great post! I believe Georgia has already developed selective hearing. She seems to know when Cushion is coming home way before I hear the bike chomping up the street. Likewise with the tiniest rustle of her brekkie being prepared even though she looks like she's fast asleep upstairs. But when I call (scream at) her to toilet or to have a bath, she could be on another planet. Very good at ignoring me, is the girl.

I shall now always imagine antennas on dogs with upright ears!

[Toby]

My ears aren't as long as some other hunting dogs, but I'm never distracted by sounds either!

[Pamela]

I find that a big part of hearing (for humans and dogs) is attention. I'm a pretty attentive person so it's rare that Honey hears something before I do. But she's certainly poised for certain sounds, like a dog going by outside.

[Jodi]

My beagle Roxanne, could hear a flake of tuna hit the floor from two rooms away.

Delilah jumps and runs whenever the pantry or refrigerator door are opened.

Both Sampson and Delilah can hear if the other one is chewing. :-) Sampson just turned 8, but he can still her Delilah monjing on a treat. :-)

[Blueberry's human]

Actually - Blueberry is getting better about responding to my voice. I just do a clicking thing with my tongue when we are walking so she knows which way we are not going. Although at times when she is really adamant about going off the trail I do find myself saying "No we are not going that way so don't even think about it." Lol - that usually gets her attention.