We have probably observed that there are some long thick hairs that differ from the rest of the mustache. This is something that they share with other animals such as cats or rabbits, and despite what it may seem at first, they fulfill an important function. We tell you everything you need to know about them.
These peculiar whiskers are actually extremely sensitive hairs called whiskers, also present on the eyes, on the ears, under the chin and sometimes on the legs. They develop at a very early age, and are a fundamental guidance tool for dogs. Thanks to them, they are able to detect air currents and vibrations, which they decode obtaining information. This allows them to react quickly to certain hazards.
And it is that these hairs have some sensory receptors under the skin, in charge of getting the information received to the dog's brain. Through them, these animals can differentiate temperatures, feel pain and control the distance at which nearby objects are. Vibrissae can be equated, by their sensitivity, to our fingerprints.
They also serve the function of helping protect the eyes. Hence, before any small brush in the vibrissa located on the eyebrows, the dog blinks. In this sense, they are especially useful for dogs who are blind or have poor eyesight.
As we say, it is a very sensitive area of the canine anatomy. Therefore it is important that let's treat these whiskers with care, avoiding manipulating them continuously and of course, never pulling them off. There are those who consider that by cutting them we harm the dog, although opinions are varied in this regard; In any case, we must know that even if these hairs are cut, they renew and grow back naturally.