INTRODUCTION

Whiskers are not extra long facial hairs, but have an entirely different purpose. Whiskers, also known as ‘vibrissae’, are the coarse hairs that surround the nose and jaw of dogs, and are also found over the eyes. To be exact, whiskers are specialised hairs that are attached to sensory nerves around the dog's face. Cats, rabbits, rats and many other animals also have whiskers.

WHAT ARE WHISKERS?

Dog whiskers are long, thick hairy formations that are attached to sensory nerves on the animal's face.

These hairs are also known as vibrissae. Many species of animals have whiskers, especially mammals: felines, seals, dolphins, rabbits, shrews, rats, manatees, etc.

Primates also have them. In humans they are found in the nasal vestibule, although they are much shorter and do not have the same functions as those of animals.

Dogs' vibrissae have a very sensitive root, which can be compared to our fingertips. For example, they react immediately to a change in current. They are born under the skin of the animal, in very vascularised hair follicles.

DO ALL DOGS HAVE VIBRISSAE?

No, not all dogs have vibrissae, ‘hairless’ dogs usually do not have them or they are atrophied. This natural lack (as the hairless gene is natural) does not prevent them from doing anything at all, nor does it make them disorientated or unable to control distances (as some people say). This hairless gene has existed for thousands of years.
This deficiency also occurs in skinny guinea pigs, sphynx cats and ‘Egyptian’ (hairless) rats.

Some ‘normal’ dogs (without this gene) also show regular shedding of the vibrissae (especially on the muzzle) without any cause (idiopathic), and their quality of life is not impaired either.

WHERE ARE THE VIBRISSAE FOUND?

Dogs have vibrissae in different parts of their body:

• LIP VIBRISES: what we know as whiskers, located under the nose and on the upper lip.
• CHIN VIBRISES: under the lower lip of the animal.
• MANDIBULAR VIBRISES: under the lower part of the jaw.
• CIGOMATIC VIBRISES: in the area of the dog's cheeks.
• SUPRACILLARY VIBRISES: located above the eyes.
  
  

CAN THE VIBRISSAE BE CUT?

Here it depends on the professional you talk to. From our point of view and experience as professionals with more than 20 years living and working with dogs, they can be cut or shaved without any problems; it is a different matter for cats and rabbits, where these vibrissae are essential.

Some people say that they cannot be touched during bathing or drying, but this is an exaggeration as the whole face of the dog must be washed, brushed and dried correctly to avoid skin problems, fungus and to be able to carry out a good grooming job.

CONCLUSION

In dogs which have naturally long hairs (dogs which are not hairless) the hairs always grow and the lack of them does not limit the dogs in any area of their life.
When they are long we should not grab them or play with them as it can be annoying if we pull on them.