Can a male dog smell female on another dog?

Yes, male dogs can definitely smell female dogs, even if they are on another dog.

Here's why:

* Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell: Their olfactory bulbs (the part of the brain responsible for smell) are much larger than ours, and they have millions more scent receptors.

* Dogs communicate through scent: They leave scent markings with urine and feces, and they also release pheromones through their skin and glands. These pheromones contain information about their sex, reproductive status, and even individual identity.

* Female dogs in heat release strong pheromones: When a female dog is in heat (estrus), she releases very strong pheromones that signal her readiness to mate. These pheromones are detectable by male dogs from a distance, even if the female is not directly in front of them.

So, even if a male dog is smelling another dog, he can still pick up the scent of a female in heat, particularly if she is nearby. This can trigger strong instincts in the male dog, leading to behaviors like sniffing, mounting, or trying to escape to find the female.