If you’ve ever had a dog sniff your feet, armpits, or even your crotch, you’re definitely not alone — and yes, it can be awkward. But behind this strange behavior lies a fascinating world of scent, biology, and canine curiosity.
So why do dogs do this? Let’s dive in.
It’s All About Scent — And You Have A Lot of It
Dogs experience the world primarily through their nose. While humans rely on sight, dogs rely on scent to gather information — and our bodies give off a lot of it.
Parts like the armpits, feet, and groin have high concentrations of sweat glands, especially apocrine glands, which produce scents dogs find deeply interesting.
To us, it’s just sweat. To them, it’s your unique story.
The Groin Sniff Isn’t Rude — It’s Science
When dogs sniff around your crotch, they’re not being inappropriate — they’re gathering information. That area releases pheromones, and dogs can detect changes in hormones, health, stress, or even if someone’s pregnant.
In fact, trained dogs can sniff out certain medical conditions just from these subtle body cues.
