What is a dog's mustache for?

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 20 February 2021
Update Date: 19 November 2024
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Content

All dogs have mustaches, long or short. They come out of the muzzle and have a harder, firmer texture than hair. Some people cut them for aesthetic reasons, seeking to meet certain race "standards", but they don't know the damage they do to their furry friend by doing so.

Do you know forWhat good is a dog's mustache? In this PeritoAnimal article, we'll talk about what they are and the functions they fulfill. Keep reading!

Dog Whisker: what is it?

What we mean by a dog with a mustache actually are vibrissae or tactile hair, as they work as a "sixth sense" for dogs. These are tactile receptors whose beginnings are located under the skin, hair follicles that are vascularized.


Vibrissae that give the dog the appearance of having a mustache are the most common, however they can be located at various points, at the labial, mandibular, supraciliary, zygomatic and chin level.

What is the function of a dog's mustache?

When they project from the skin, the vibrissae act with a mechanism similar to a lever, that is, the external stimulus generates a movement transmitted by the "moustache" to the skin follicle, from where it is directed to the brain to decode it and generate a answer. Thanks to this mechanism, the whiskers of dogs (and the vibrissae located elsewhere) fulfill several functions:

  • help measure the distances in the dark, since the air currents perceived by the vibrissae allow us to have an idea about the size of spaces and the location of objects;
  • The supraciliary ones (located above the eyes) protect the eyes of the dog of possible objects or litter, as they come in contact with them first and make the dog blink;
  • They perceive the air currents, providing temperature information.

A curious fact is that the vibrissae are proportional to the size of the dog's body, to let him know if a space is big enough to pass through. Knowing this, You CANNOT cut a dog's mustache.


Does a dog's mustache grow or fall?

Have you ever noticed that your dog's whiskers fall out? This is normal, and in a few days they grow back, as they change their fur, the dogs change their mustaches. However, you should take him to the vet if the drop in vibrissae is accompanied by symptoms such as loss of appetite or any behavioral changes.

Although puppies change mustaches, this does not mean that it is advisable to remove them too soon. Many people wonder if they can cut a dog's mustache, as some suggest extracting the vibrissae to improve the appearance of certain breeds. However, this is counter-productive for the dog, because cutting before the natural moult means that the animal will be defenseless without this tactile mechanism that helps it to orient itself and perceive the world.

Likewise, the cutting process is uncomfortable for the dog and can be painful if the vibrissa is extracted with tweezers or other similar tool. Under no circumstances is this recommended. A dog that has suffered this type of cut will become more suspicious and frightened by having its senses diminished. At the same time, we suggest being careful when touching the area where these tactile hairs are located so as not to cause discomfort to the dog.


you adopted a dog that has a mustache cut? Want to know if a dog's whiskers grow? Don't worry, the answer is yes. A cut won't stop the vibrissae from different parts of the body from appearing again, you just have to be patient and you'll notice that the dog's mustache grows back.

Dog breeds with mustaches

Now that you know what a dog's mustache is for, it's important to bear in mind that although all dogs have vibrissae in different parts of their body, some have an elongated version in the whisker area, which gives them a very peculiar appearance. Here is a list of the top ones. dog breeds with mustaches:

  • Irish Lebrel;
  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier;
  • Portuguese Water Dog;
  • Tibetan Terrier;
  • Affenpinscher;
  • Pomsky;
  • Border Collie;
  • Bichon Havanese;
  • Bichon Bolognese;
  • Belgian Griffon;
  • Griffon of Brussels;
  • West Highland White Terrier;
  • Schnauzer (dwarf and giant);
  • Cairn Terrier;
  • Pastor-Catalan;
  • Longhair Collie;
  • Russian Black Terrier;
  • Shepherd-Of-Pineeus-De-Pelo-Long;
  • Airedale Terrier;
  • Norfolk Terrier;
  • Pekingese;
  • Maltese Bichon;
  • Bearded Collie;
  • Shepherd-Bergamasco;
  • Yorkshire Terrier;
  • Skye Terrier;
  • Polish Shepherd of the Plains;
  • Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier;
  • Australian Terrier;
  • Little Lion Dog;
  • Shih Tzu;
  • Scottish Terrier;
  • Fox Terrier;
  • Coton de Tulear;
  • Lhasa Apso;
  • Bobtail.

Learn more about a dog with a mustache in our YouTube video: