# Why does a dog's smell linger? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 7, 2015, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226 "2015-08-07T09:05:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![m30wc0w](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aca169/32.png) [@m30wc0w](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/m30wc0w)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/1 "2015-08-07T09:05:41Z")
So I’m the proud owner of a new puppy. He’s great. Anyways, I’ve noticed that his smell is present everywhere inside the small condo that we live in. I’ll post pictures of him if I like your answers 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/2 "2015-08-07T09:39:38Z")
He’s probably wondering the same thing about you. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/3 "2015-08-07T11:33:41Z")
You will most likely get used to it and not notice it after a while. But yeah a dog’s stink lingers for a loooong time. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/4 "2015-08-07T13:57:21Z")
Just wait until he gets bigger, and then gets wet. Whew. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/5 "2015-08-07T14:00:21Z")
Yeah, and when he gets wet he’ll roll around in the grass to dry off… right where he pees. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/6 "2015-08-07T14:22:40Z")
It could just be that you’re not used to the smell of a dog in the house, but if he has a really noticeable odour, he may need a bath. Where did he come from? A breeder? Was the place clean? A shelter? Most dogs I’ve adopted from shelters have a bit of that shelter smell from the cleaning products and just the odour of a number of dogs peeing and pooping and being confined in a small place. One of my fosters was really rank when I picked him up. The smell on my hands after petting him lingered and made me want to wash. He also had a bad skin condition, so I had to use a medicated shampoo from the vet. Does your pup have any skin issues? Pics, please! ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/7 "2015-08-07T15:27:42Z")
It’s the oils from their bodies that get left behind. You’ll get desensitized to it over time, just as you are already desensitized to your own smell and those that live with you. Infrequent guests that come to your home, will notice it upon their visit. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/8 "2015-08-07T16:24:27Z")
Some breeds are smellier than others. We have basenjis, which have very little “dog” odour, even when wet. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/9 "2015-08-07T17:27:56Z")
Have you washed this dog? Unless they’ve been recently licking their butt or have been wet too long (my golden had a hard time drying off after a swim) I’ve never experienced a dog that just plain smells. And I think about it a lot because people who don’t like dogs say “…and they smell” so I am conscious of it. When I got my girl dog from a rescue group last October, she smelled. Because she walks around with her nose on the ground and gets peed on by boy dogs who are smelling then marking in the same place she is smelling. I know this because I see it happen with her brother now all the time. Anyway, one wash and she was good as new. For future incidents with her brother, baby wipes. I can imagine a dog who just came from a litter had plenty of opportunity to be peed on. So, did you wash him? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/10 "2015-08-07T17:34:02Z")
Agreed that periodic baths might be a good idea. After our four month old pup had been away for training we noticed an odor. A hose bath outside with Dawn dishwashing soap cured that. Also now [he’s in the pool](https://static.dyp.im/bKM3a47Qc6/1ef602ba6d094d5e00df3f461782450e.JPG) all the time, even when we’re away, so that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/11 "2015-08-07T18:03:01Z")
I’m just here for the puppy pictures. Thanks **lieu**! ---
**Author:** ![m30wc0w](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aca169/32.png) [@m30wc0w](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/m30wc0w)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/12 "2015-08-07T21:54:45Z")
[![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/rSvR6zi.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/rSvR6zi) Thanks guys! ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2015, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/13 "2015-08-08T01:24:34Z")
> [@m30wc0w](#): > > [Imgur: The magic of the Internet](http://imgur.com/rSvR6zi) > Thanks guys! Pic isn’t working for me. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2015, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/14 "2015-08-08T02:51:11Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I’ve never experienced a dog that just plain smells. You’ve been desensitized. All dogs smell… well, doggy. Whether this _stinks_ depends on the individual, and some dogs smell more than others, but the smell is there unless the dog has been scrubbed down very recently. It’s not just about smelling like piss or shit or puke. ---
**Author:** ![m30wc0w](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aca169/32.png) [@m30wc0w](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/m30wc0w)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2015, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/15 "2015-08-08T08:47:05Z")
My god… linked the wrong picture. [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/rSvR6zi.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/rSvR6zi) Very sorry guys. Also, according to someone at the pet store, apparently pups just… smell. Anyways, I’m going to start bathing him more often now (like once a week). ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2015, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/16 "2015-08-08T09:46:21Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@m30wc0w](#): > > My god… linked the wrong picture. I fixed the link in the above posts. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2015, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/17 "2015-08-08T11:25:01Z")
Be careful too about TOO MUCH bathing. That can dry their skin and cause more problems. Is it doggy BO you’re smelling, or is it puppy farts? You haven’t had him very long, and sometimes the upheaval of adjusting to a new home, routine, and food can give them wicked gas. It’ll go away as they adapt, but it can be a miasma for a little while 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-dogs-smell-linger/727226/18 "2015-08-09T13:55:10Z")
> [@m30wc0w](#): > > My god… linked the wrong picture. > [Imgur: The magic of the Internet](http://imgur.com/rSvR6zi) > Very sorry guys. > Also, according to someone at the pet store, apparently pups just… smell. Anyways, I’m going to start bathing him more often now (like once a week). Aww, he’s a smelly little angel!