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Student Article

What Do Mountain Rescue Search Dogs Actually Smell?

By: Luis Villazon
Originally Published in  Science Focus

Explore how tracking dogs use their incredible sense of smell to find people.

The article "What Do Mountain Rescue Search Dogs Actually Smell?" from BBC Science Focus explains how tracking dogs use their powerful sense of smell to locate individuals. With millions of olfactory receptors, these dogs can detect skin cells, sweat, body odor, and other particles, helping them find people even in large areas.
Student Article Info

BBC's Science Focus is packed with news, discoveries, ideas and innovations to keep you up-to-speed with the complexities of the fast-moving world around us. Learn more about subscriptions here.

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A Saint Bernard with a mountain peak in the background
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Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

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Level 1 Reading Passage
Grades: 3-5Lexile Level: 400-600L
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Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 700-900L
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Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 800-1000L
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