Anatomy

• Canine vibrissae (whiskers) sprout from small raised mounds caused by a concentration of nerve fibers located in erectile tissue. Twelve pairs of nerves serve the dog's head; vibrissae connect to the largest --- the trigminal nerve, which is larger than the nerves that serve the eyes, ears or nose. Thomas E. McGill, Ph.D., notes that, in dogs, at least half of the sensory area of the cerebral cortex (the "thinking" part of the brain) is used to process information gathered by the face, particularly the upper jaw where the longest vibrissae are located.
  
  

Purpose

• Vibrissae act as wind detectors for dogs. They respond to even faint air movements, telling the canine the direction and strength of the wind and giving it information about objects that may be deflecting the air. Being able to turn directly into the wind increases a dog's ability and efficiency in detecting prey by smell before it comes into sight. Another purpose of vibrissae is to provide information about the size and shape of confined spaces that dogs may enter, for example, in pursuit of vermin. When the whiskers on the side of the muzzle do not encounter an obstacle, the canine knows it can fit through the opening because these vibrissae extend beyond the dog's shoulders.
  
  

Lessons From Other Carnivores

• In nature, physiological attributes that are no longer useful atrophy. Vibrissae in dogs and other carnivores remain viable. Even whales, land mammals that lost their body hair when they returned to the sea, have kept their vibrissae because they aid in locating prey. Studies involving rats and cats and observations of wolves and African wild dogs offer strong evidence that whiskers assist with equilibrium, depth perception and differentiating surfaces. Since canine vibrissae share a similar structure, they may perform similar functions.
  
  

AKC Standards

• Some owners, handlers and groomers advocate removing whiskers from dogs going into the show ring, arguing that judges prefer a "cleaner" appearance. American Kennel Club standards vary by breed on whether trimming the vibrissae on the face is allowed, required or forbidden. Border collies and Irish setters may not show with trimmed whiskers. For chows, Siberian huskies and clumber Spaniels, whisker trimming is optional.
  
  

Removal Methods

• You have three options if you choose to remove a dog's vibrissae for showing. Surgical removal is permanent and as drastic as declawing a cat. Plucking causes bleeding and serious pain because you are ripping the vibrissae from a mound of nerves. Trimming whiskers with scissors offers the least painful alternative --- other than leaving them alone.