Understanding the Functioning of the Canine Brain

We are constantly amazed by dogs. Our fascination with our dog’s nose is due to the brain. It is similar to the human brain in terms of structure and function. There are some differences. You can learn more about the brain of a dog here.

The brain of the dog is studied by a variety of scientific disciplines, including neurosciences, medicine and behavioral sciences. It is hard to understand the complex organ, especially when it comes to feelings, thoughts, and consciousness. Dogs cannot communicate with researchers in the same way as humans can, so there are few absolute truths. There is more clarity about the structure and functions of specific brain regions.

The structure and function of the dog brain

There are several different areas of the dog’s brain, each with a specific task: for example, the medulla and the extended medulla. These are the primitive functions such as breathing in your home. The cerebellum controls exact movements of the limbs, and provides spatial orientation to the quadruped or ensures perception in the space. Here, acoustic and optical stimuli are also evaluated. Midbrain is where memories and emotions are formed. The limbic system is located in the midbrain and includes amygdalas and hippocampus.

The amygdala gives emotional value to neutral information that reaches the brain of the dog via the sense organs. The hippocampus matches this information with memories and passes it on to the cerebral cortex. In mammals, the cerebrum is where conscious thinking and planning occurs. The cerebrum is the focal point of motor and sensory functions. The cerebral cortex is the brain’s image of the outside world.

The brain of a dog compared with the brain of a human

In terms of structure and function, the dog brain shares many similarities with human brains and those of other mammals. However, it is not able to match their performance. Cerebrum is one of the most notable differences. Humans are equipped with significantly more gray neurons than furry-nosed animals, which means they can think more complexly and in more complex contexts. In terms of intelligence, dogs are behind.

A dog, however, can be trained to recognize a five euro bill. He does not understand the purpose of it or how the system works. Sensory functions are vital for the dog. Dogs have a better nose than humans. The brain region responsible for smell is much larger in dogs.