Why Do Dogs Have Whiskers?

How do dog whiskers work?

Each whisker sits in a specialized follicle supplied with sensory nerves. When contact or moving air bends the hair, the follicle sends information to the nervous system. The hair shaft itself does not feel: the sensitive structures around its root detect its movement.

Sources: VCA Animal Hospitals — Why do dogs have whiskers? · Döring, Bartels & Erhard (2020) — Canine tactile hairs and trimming · Döring et al. (2025) — The canine vibrissal system as a highly innervated and functional sensory organ

Why do dogs have whiskers under their chin?

The whiskers beneath the chin are part of the same facial sensory system. Veterinary guidance describes them as helping detect nearby objects below the face, including things outside the dog’s usual field of view.

Sources: PetMD — Why do dogs have whiskers?

What do whiskers on the cheeks do?

Cheek whiskers are called genal whiskers. They provide sensory information around the sides of the face. They work alongside the whiskers on the muzzle, rather than serving as ordinary coat hair.

Sources: PetMD — Why do dogs have whiskers? · Döring, Bartels & Erhard (2020) — Canine tactile hairs and trimming · Döring et al. (2025) — The canine vibrissal system as a highly innervated and functional sensory organ

Why are there whiskers above the eyes?

These are often called supraorbital whiskers. Movement of these hairs can trigger a protective blink. This helps the dog respond when something approaches the eye.

Sources: PetMD — Why do dogs have whiskers? · American Kennel Club — Why do dogs have whiskers? · Döring et al. (2025) — The canine vibrissal system as a highly innervated and functional sensory organ

Should you cut or pluck dog whiskers?

Ask your groomer to preserve them. Veterinary guidance advises against cosmetic trimming, and pulling whiskers out is painful. A cut hair shaft is different from a pulled root, but shortening the hair still removes part of a sensory structure.

Sources: VCA Animal Hospitals — Why do dogs have whiskers? · Döring, Bartels & Erhard (2020) — Canine tactile hairs and trimming · Döring et al. (2025) — The canine vibrissal system as a highly innervated and functional sensory organ

Do dog whiskers grow back?

Whiskers naturally shed and regrow. An accidentally cut whisker can also regrow. If whiskers become unusually brittle or their loss accompanies other changes to the skin or coat, ask your veterinarian for advice.

Sources: PetMD — Why do dogs have whiskers?

What does the research actually establish?

A 2020 veterinary review confirms that canine whiskers form part of a sensory organ and have protective functions, while noting how little dog-specific evidence existed at the time. A 2025 study in Scientific Reports narrows that gap: filmed observations of eleven dogs showed reflex blinking when the whiskers above the eyes and on the muzzle were touched, and dogs moving their muzzle whiskers forward to explore objects, while tissue analysis found the follicles to be densely innervated. Together these support leaving whiskers intact, without assuming that every dog will show the same behavioral changes after trimming.

Sources: Döring, Bartels & Erhard (2020) — Canine tactile hairs and trimming · Döring et al. (2025) — The canine vibrissal system as a highly innervated and functional sensory organ

Sources and further reading

These references cover the relevant behavior, learning principles, or welfare guidance. Everyday examples are interpretations, not findings about an individual dog.

• Döring, Bartels & Erhard (2020) — Canine tactile hairs and trimming Peer-reviewed veterinary review; English abstract checked September 8, 2026. Sensory anatomy, eye protection, and limits in dog-specific evidence.
• Döring et al. (2025) — The canine vibrissal system as a highly innervated and functional sensory organ Peer-reviewed primary study in Scientific Reports, open access; checked September 9, 2026. Filmed observations of dogs plus histological, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical analysis of the follicle-sinus complex.
• VCA Animal Hospitals — Why do dogs have whiskers? By Courtney Barnes, DVM, Ryan Llera, DVM, and Lynn Buzhardt, DVM. Follicle sensitivity and gentle grooming; checked September 8, 2026.
• PetMD — Why do dogs have whiskers? By Leslie Gillette, DVM. Facial locations, protective blinking, shedding and regrowth; checked September 8, 2026.
• American Kennel Club — Why do dogs have whiskers? By Stanley Coren, PhD, for AKC Family Dog. Cross-check for touch sensitivity and protective blinking; checked September 8, 2026.