What are whiskers?
Whiskers erupt from hair follicles like other hairs, but they are coarser and thicker than regular hair and have roots that are three times deeper. Unlike regular hairs, whiskers do not cover the entire body.
Whiskers are strategically located above the eyes, on the chin, and above the upper lip. The exact pattern and location of whiskers vary with breed. Dogs of all ages have whiskers: whiskers are among the first hairs to develop and are present at birth.
Whiskers are more sensitive than regular hairs because the follicles they originate from are packed with blood vessels and nerves. In fact, a dog’s whiskers are as sensitive as a human’s fingertips. So, while human’s sense of touch is in the fingers, a dog touches the world with its face.
What are whiskers for?
A dog’s face is accentuated by its whiskers. They frame the eyes, like eyebrows on humans, and emphasize the muzzle when a dog “smiles.” But whiskers are more than just facial enhancements; they are finely tuned sensory equipment that guide a dog through daily activities. These specialized hairs aid vision and help a dog navigate the environment by providing additional sensory input, much like antennae on insects.
Although whiskers are called “tactile hairs,” they do not feel anything. They simply transmit information to sensory cells when they detect objects or movement. When air flows or an object brushes up against a whisker, the sensitive whisker vibrates and stimulates the nerves in the hair follicle. This vibration gives whiskers their scientific name, vibrissae, from the Latin word vibrio, meaning “to vibrate.” Dog whiskers detect subtle changes in air currents and transmit information about the size, shape, and speed of nearby objects, which helps them navigate the world.
Whiskers are radar sensors
Dogs are known for their great senses of smell and hearing, but canine vision is not so wonderful. Dogs see better at a distance but have difficulty focusing on objects up close. Whiskers help dogs “see” things right under their noses, by constantly sending information to the brain. As a dog approaches something in their path, they stir up air currents that bounce back when they hit solid objects. Whiskers detect very faint vibrations caused by these changes in air currents and act like radar detectors.
In the wild, whiskers can alert a dog to the presence of prey, potential enemies, or the location of his pack. At home, whiskers help domestic dogs locate their food bowls or favorite toys at night. Whisker radar can help a dog hunt at night and prevent them from bumping into walls in the dark.
Whiskers communicate emotions
When a dog is resting, the whiskers take a break. When a dog is active, so are the whiskers. Happy or curious dogs elevate their whiskers above their eyes, giving them that cute, wide-eyed appearance everyone loves. A dog that feels threatened will flare their muzzle whiskers and direct them forward toward the threat.
Whiskers are protectors
These sensitive hairs respond when touched by the smallest particles. When a tiny speck of dust falls on a whisker above a dog’s eye, the dog will blink or shake their head to fling it off. This reaction protects the eye, which can be injured by even a tiny dust particle. If the whiskers on a dog’s muzzle encounter a tall blade of grass outside, or a thorny bush, they prompt the dog to back up to avoid being scratched or poked in the eye.
Whiskers also prevent dogs from getting stuck in small places. As a dog approaches a narrow spot in the fence, a slender space between rocks, or a small area between the living room chairs, whiskers help them determine if they can fit through without getting stuck or turning over the furniture.
Whiskers need protection
A good portion of a dog’s brain is devoted to processing data from touch sensors. Whiskers are reliable touch sensors and almost 40% of the brain’s sensory area aligns with body parts that have whiskers. Each individual whisker can be traced back to a specific spot in the brain, which means that whiskers occupy valuable neurological real estate in a dog’s body.
Whiskers help dogs to safely function inside and outside, so we need to protect them. When petting your dog, touch the whiskers very gently, along the grain. Do not pluck or pull on the whiskers, which will be painful for your dog. When grooming your dog, avoid cutting the whiskers, as doing so may decrease the dog’s special awareness and cause confusion.
