Copyright © Kristel-Marie Ramnath 2026
Like all mammals, dogs are covered with hair. While dogs have a fairly even distribution of hair over most of their bodies, humans generally have more and longer hair on their heads than on any other part of their bodies. In this article, we will discuss a special type of hair in dogs, called whiskers.
Dog whiskers, or vibrissae, are specialised hairs that strategically grow above a dog’s eyes and on the cheeks, muzzle, and chin. Whiskers that grow above a dog’s eyes are called supraciliary or supraorbital. Whiskers on a dog’s cheeks are called genal. Muzzle whiskers, which are typically the most abundant, are called mystacial (derived from the
Greek root word for moustache). Dogs may also have a cluster of whiskers called an interramal tuft that grows from a mole under their chin.
The exact pattern and location of whiskers vary with breed, and whisker colour is usually influenced by coat colour, although this may change with age. Whiskers are made of keratin but are coarser and thicker than regular hair and have roots that are three times deeper. Whiskers are more sensitive than regular hairs because the follicles from which they originate are packed with blood vessels and nerves.
Dog whiskers are important in helping dogs understand and sense their environment.
Unlike humans, dogs of all ages have whiskers. Newborn pups do not need to reach puberty before growing whiskers, which are among the first hairs to develop and are present at birth. This early development is thought to play a vital role in helping newborn pups find their mother’s nipples and nurse before their eyes are fully open. Dog whisker follicles contain clusters of tactile receptor cells (Merkel cells) that are essential for sending signals to the brain. Dogs are known for their amazing senses of smell and hearing, but canine vision is not so great. Whiskers help dogs “see” things that lie right under their noses by constantly sending information to the canine brain. If a whisker is touched by another object, or air currents move a whisker, that vibration transmits nerve impulses from a dog’s whisker follicles to the brain. Dog whiskers transmit information about the size, shape, and speed of nearby objects by detecting subtle changes in air currents.
Whiskers help protect dogs because these sensitive hairs respond when touched by the smallest particles. If a speck of dust falls on a whisker above his eye, a dog will blink or shake his head and fling it off. This reaction protects the eye, which can be injured by even a tiny dust particle. When walking outside, if the whiskers on a dog’s muzzle encounter a tall blade of grass or a thorny bush, they prompt the dog to back up to avoid being scratched or poked in the eye. As a dog approaches a narrow spot in the fence or a small area between chairs, whiskers can help the dog determine if he can fit through a passage without getting stuck.
Dog whiskers can also communicate emotions. When a dog is relaxed, the whiskers rest flat against the face. A happy dog will often elevate the whiskers above the eyes, giving the dog a wide-eyed appearance that owners tend to find cute. Dogs who are scared or perceive an immediate threat in their environment will often flare or twitch the muzzle whiskers out and downward, toward the threat.
When grooming your dog, avoid cutting the whiskers, because this may decrease a dog’s special awareness. Whiskers are vital for normal sensory perception and balance, so shortening or cutting them off may affect your dog’s balance, movement, and ability to sense environmental cues. Whiskers naturally shed like other hair on a dog’s body. It can take several weeks for a new whisker to grow to its mature length. Broken, brittle whiskers can be an indicator of age, poor nutrition, or other underlying health concerns.
