Uso del espejo olfatorio para el reconocimiento individual en caninos adultos de diferentes núcleos familiares

Abstract

This study evaluated the capacity for olfactory self-recognition in adult dogs through the application of an "olfactory mirror" test, adapted from the model proposed by Horowitz (2017). Nine adult female dogs from different family groups were selected and exposed to various odoriferous stimuli (their own urine, unfamiliar urine, collar, and an item of clothing belonging to their guardian) with the aim of analyzing their ability for individual and affiliative discrimination. In order to accomplish this, the nine dogs were assessed in a controlled setting across nine different sessions, during which they were exposed to the various stimuli hidden under a cone. The frequency and intensity of their approach to each stimulus were recorded and analyzed. The results revealed a marked preference for their own urine and their guardian’s clothing, highlighting a socio-emotional function of the olfactory system in self-identity recognition and family bonding. Although not all stimuli elicited consistent responses—such as the collar—the observed behavioral patterns support the presence of a functional olfactory self-recognition ability in dogs, with direct implications for their welfare in both clinical and social contexts. It is concluded that the sense of smell constitutes a key sensory pathway in the construction of social bonds and in the perception of the “self,” and its integration into handling strategies and environmental enrichment in veterinary medicine is recommended. Keywords: Self-recognition; Bonds; Socio-emotional; Odoriferous.