Dogs' amazing sense of homing-and what we can learn from it

 

Dogs' amazing sense of homing-and what we can learn from it

In the modern world of pet ownership, dogs' homing instinct remains one of nature's great mysteries. The stories of Baekgu the pine marten walking 300 kilometers and Bobby the American dog walking a whopping 4100 kilometers home have touched many people. More recently, Son Hongmin, a pine marten, walked 20 kilometers and returned to his family in 41 days.

But how do dogs find their way home over such long distances? Experts explain that dogs use their keen senses of smell, sight, and hearing to create a “mental map” of their home, combining various cues such as smells, terrain features, and sounds to navigate. And when they need to travel tens to hundreds of kilometers, they even use a special ability called magnetoreception. This is the ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field to determine direction, a natural wonder found in animals as diverse as migratory birds, salmon, and sea turtles.

A 2020 experiment by Czech researchers supports this theory. Some dogs sensed a north-south direction and performed a unique behavior called “compass running” to find their owners over the shortest distance - a testament to how deeply connected animals are to nature.

However, in modern urban environments, especially in Korea, where many people live in apartments, this homing instinct can be difficult to fully utilize. The continued incidence of lost dogs shows the importance of responsible pet ownership rather than trusting an animal's instincts alone. Dog tags and animal registration are the minimum safeguards to keep your dog safe.

As we marvel at the wonders of nature and the capabilities of animals, it's time to reflect on what we can do to ensure human-animal coexistence.

Dogs' amazing homing instinct: going the long way home

Real-life examples: dogs have traveled long distances to find their way home, including Baekgu the pit bull (300 kilometers), Hongmin Son (20 kilometers), and Bobby the American dog (4100 kilometers).

How homing works:

Dogs use their strong sense of hearing and keen senses (smell, sight, hearing, etc.) to synthesize smells and surrounding cues to find home.

Over long distances, they also use “magnetoreception,” or the ability to sense the earth's magnetic field to orient themselves.

Scientific research: A 2020 experiment by Czech researchers found that some dogs exhibit “compass running” behavior, where they detect a north-south direction and find their owners in the shortest distance.

Limitations and caveats: The homing instinct can be disrupted by living in apartment buildings in Korea. It is important for owners to manage their dogs, such as identification tags and animal registration, to prevent lost dogs.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q1. How do dogs find their way home?

A. Dogs use their senses - their excellent sense of smell, sight, and hearing - to create a “mental map” of their home. They also utilize magnetoreception, which allows them to sense the Earth's magnetic field from a distance.

Q2. What is magnetoreception?

A. It is the ability of animals to sense the Earth's magnetic field to determine direction or location. Dogs use this ability, as well as migratory birds, salmon, and sea turtles.

Q3. Can all dogs come home well?

A. No. It depends on the environment, distance, experience, and living arrangements, especially if it's the first time they've been there or if there are many similar buildings, such as apartments.

Q4. How can I prevent my dog from getting lost?

A. Basic care by owners is essential, including wearing tags, registering the animal, and keeping it on a leash when walking.

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