What is the function of a dogs beard? Do all dog breeds have beards?

What do dogs have two whiskers under their chin for? Let's find out together about the uses of dog whiskers !

Have you ever wondered why dogs have whiskers? They may be more important than you think! In puppies, whiskers are some of the first hairs to grow, so during the first two weeks when they can't see, whiskers help them find their way around!

Dog whiskers vary depending on the individual and breed. But generally, they grow whiskers around the muzzle, jaw, and above the eyes. Of course, hairless breeds don't have mustaches - and very hairy breeds may have more!

If your dog has whiskers, those long, coarse hairs play an important role in your dog's life; they are different from regular hair and are very sensitive to everything that happens in the world around them - from being able to sense changes in airflow to detecting physical objects. Whiskers help your dog detect the location, distance, shape, and texture of an object!

Here's what you need to know about dog whiskers.

What is a beard?

Whiskers are essentially coarse, stiff hairs that grow near the mouth area and can be found on most mammals today, and serve a variety of roles.

What is the role of a dog's whiskers?

Cats typically have 12 whiskers neatly arranged in rows on each side of their mouth, for a total of 20-24. These whiskers are vital to cats, as they are their tactile hairs. Without whiskers, cats are essentially blind and have no sense of touch.

Dogs are a little different. Whiskers are usually found on both sides of a dog's muzzle, with a few protruding above the eyes. Some breeds have whiskers that grow downward from the upper lip, on the cheeks, or under the chin. The follicles at the base (base) of each whisker are packed with super-sensitive nerve fibers so that even the slightest touch sends a flood of messages to the dog's brain.

The area around a dog’s muzzle and mouth is rich in Merkel cells (MCs), a special type of cell found just beneath the epidermis, the top layer of skin. According to a study published in the journal Veterinary Science, Merkel cells are skin receptors that are tightly bound to nerve endings, making these whiskers extremely sensitive.

Because of this sensitivity, a dog's whiskers also have many different roles, such as directional awareness, collecting information about the smallest changes in the surrounding environment. For example: Whiskers grow in the area of ​​the muzzle that protrudes forward, so if there is a stream of air or even the smallest object that lightly touches these whiskers, the information is quickly transmitted to the brain and there will immediately be a blinking reflex to protect the eyes from potential dangers, all happening in less than a "second".

Whiskers also help dogs locate food sources, disperse pheromones, and maintain an upright posture while swimming. Dogs are born farsighted, so whiskers also aid in near vision, allowing a dog to judge whether it is about to hit an obstacle in front of it or whether it can squeeze into a tight space.

Not stopping there, the beard also helps express the dog's emotions, especially when they feel threatened or scared, the whiskers tend to stand up and stroke back.

Do all dog breeds have beards?

Nearly all dog breeds have beards in one form or another. In some breeds, the beards grow in long, thick clumps while in others they are sparse.

There does not appear to be any difference in whisker structure or function between most breeds, with the exception of hairless breeds of dogs and cats, which may have little or no whiskers at all. In these cases, their bodies have adapted to this deficiency.

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Do dogs need to have their whiskers trimmed?

No! While cutting or trimming your dog's whiskers will not harm them, it will make them feel uncomfortable and unable to detect their surroundings.

However, dogs still shed their whiskers and, like the rest of their fur, their whiskers will grow back, so don't panic if your dog's whiskers fall out.

Sensitive Beards and Super Big Noses

The combination of a dog's sensitive whiskers and super-sensitive nose not only makes it an attractive companion, but it can also put these instincts to invaluable use in many situations, such as assisting in search and rescue missions and man-made disasters around the world.

Whiskers are the "compass" that guides a dog's body.

Whisker position is also a good body language indicator and is used to convey emotions; if a dog is focused on something, their whiskers will stand up, but if they are nervous or feeling shy, their whiskers will be pulled back and close to their face. If a dog's whiskers 'flare' and then point forward, this is a defensive response when they feel threatened.

A large portion of the dog's brain is devoted to processing data from touch sensors. Whiskers are very reliable touch sensors. Nearly 40% of the brain's sensory areas are linked to parts of the body that have whiskers. Each individual whisker can be traced back to a specific location in the brain, meaning that whiskers occupy a valuable neural space in the dog's body.

Since whiskers are important to a dog's ability to function safely in and out of the home, they help protect them. When petting your dog, touch the whiskers gently in the direction of breathing. Do not pluck or pull on the whiskers as this will cause pain to your puppy. When grooming your dog, avoid clipping the whiskers as this can reduce the dog's unique awareness.