Why Are Poodles' Noses Wet?

Poodles are intelligent, athletic dogs bred for retrieving waterfowl and herding. They dominate in canine sports, like agility or obedience competitions, and are friendly towards small children, making them excellent family pets. Like many breeds of dogs, poodles have cold, wet noses nearly all the time. There are a variety of reasons for this phenomenon.

  1. Licking

    • Any dog owner will tell you that one of a dog's favorite hobbies is licking. Dogs love to use their slobbery tongues to greet people, clean themselves or lick toys or items around the house. Poodles are no exception. Many dogs will lick their noses after swallowing, eating or drinking water to clean off their noses of any debris. This frequent licking is one of many factors that keep their noses moist.

    Keeping Cool

    • Unlike people, dogs do not sweat. Without sweat glands all over their body, dogs must pant to vent heat and keep cool. A wet nose helps, because the moisture keeps the nose a little colder. Poodles in particular are very active dogs, and are constantly moving, so they need a way to prevent overheating. The wet nose helps in cooling the hard-working dogs, so that they can continue to exercise without becoming dehydrated as quickly.

    Sniffing

    • Canines obtain information about the world around them by sniffing. They can figure out what other animals have been through an area with their noses alone. Breeds with a history of tracking or retrieving prey are especially prone to sniffing the ground. Poodles, bred originally to retrieve waterfowl, have a tendency to keep their noses to the ground when outside. The dew or rain on the ground and on plants can end up on dogs' noses, making them even wetter.

    Smelling

    • A wet nose isn't always just a result of a dog's tendency to sniff; it can also be a cause. Dogs often have a layer of mucus over their noses that may help their smelling skills. The moisture can help trap scents and give the dogs a better sense of smell. Poodles and other working dogs are especially reliant on their keen senses to track prey, so a wet nose can be a very valuable tool.