Most animals have whiskers. These widely spaced long hairs that are usually found around the muzzle, on the chin, on the upper lip and above the eyes of most animals are also called vibrissae. Dogs sport whiskers too in fact these are the first hairs grown by puppies. Whiskers are longer, thicker and larger hair so that even among the fur, whiskers will be very noticeable. Whiskers' roots are embedded about three times deeper as compared to ordinary hair. Unlike the ordinary hairs, whiskers are considered as live hairs because the network of nerves on the roots of these hairs make them ultra sensitive receptors.
Dogs are acclaimed for their ultra sensitive senses. The hearing and scenting abilities of these animals are legendary. Dogs would not go bumping in the night because unlike human eyes, the eyes of our four legged friends can see much better in the night. In spite of these outstanding abilities dogs receive yet another gift from nature that further enhance the senses - the whiskers. Whiskers are very sensitive to the touch and serves as radar or antennae.
The hair follicles that are set on a network of nerves make whiskers very sensitive receptors so that when the tips of the whiskers are brushed against objects, a message that will inform the dog of nearby objects will be transmitted to the brain. Whiskers are indispensable tools especially for dog breeds that follow prey in burrows. Dogs don't have shoulders and the body is a bit wedge shaped so that it would be easy to go in but going out would be difficult. The sensitive whiskers are longer than the rest of the dog's hair. Because these hairs are so sensitive, the dog will be informed if it is possible to enter or not.
Whiskers are also used as the dog's self preservation tools. Whiskers allows dogs to avoid their predators. Whiskers are so sensitive they can pick up the things that terrorize the dog's predators. Dogs will subconsciously use these fears to terrorize the predators.
Whiskers are very sensitive thus try not to rub these hairs against the hair growth when patting the pet as this will make the dog very uncomfortable. Whiskers are called bleeding hair as the dog would bleed if the whiskers are plucked.
Dogs are acclaimed for their ultra sensitive senses. The hearing and scenting abilities of these animals are legendary. Dogs would not go bumping in the night because unlike human eyes, the eyes of our four legged friends can see much better in the night. In spite of these outstanding abilities dogs receive yet another gift from nature that further enhance the senses - the whiskers. Whiskers are very sensitive to the touch and serves as radar or antennae.
The hair follicles that are set on a network of nerves make whiskers very sensitive receptors so that when the tips of the whiskers are brushed against objects, a message that will inform the dog of nearby objects will be transmitted to the brain. Whiskers are indispensable tools especially for dog breeds that follow prey in burrows. Dogs don't have shoulders and the body is a bit wedge shaped so that it would be easy to go in but going out would be difficult. The sensitive whiskers are longer than the rest of the dog's hair. Because these hairs are so sensitive, the dog will be informed if it is possible to enter or not.
Whiskers are also used as the dog's self preservation tools. Whiskers allows dogs to avoid their predators. Whiskers are so sensitive they can pick up the things that terrorize the dog's predators. Dogs will subconsciously use these fears to terrorize the predators.
Whiskers are very sensitive thus try not to rub these hairs against the hair growth when patting the pet as this will make the dog very uncomfortable. Whiskers are called bleeding hair as the dog would bleed if the whiskers are plucked.
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