whisker whacker

[KaiLReddtai]

But is it such an important use today? I really don't see where they serve a function considering the types of lives dogs live now. Through domestication, we've rendered the potential uses of whiskers unnecessary.

They're not necessary in the way that sight or hearing is, but you're still taking away an important form of sensing from a dog for no real reason. They do still use their whiskers, It helps them percieve nearby obstacles (even without touching said obstacles, since air bouncing off objects can be picked up by the whiskers) and pick up close objects. Since they havemore trouble seeing things close up, they use it to help interpret information they can't see well in the same way a blind person uses a cane. They don't stop trying to sense walls and objects (like their toys nearby) just because they're domesticated. I wouldn't say additional sensory information of the world around them is totally useless.

Maybe they're not totally necessary, but why (possibly) make the dog uncomfortable by taking away one of her forms of percieving the world or cause them anxiety and stress for looks? Especially if you don't have to.

BarbV is right, to each their own. I've been trying to say that from the beginning. I was simply stating that I don't think it should be done, and nobody has to agree with me or even like my opinion. It's just the way I feel.

 

[HopeShelties]

My dogs do fine without them. They are not stressed about the removal of them. They perform every task I put them to without trouble, and they do a lot of tasks.
Frankly, I've never seen my shelties hit a wall/try to stick their noses into something they shouldn't/try to fit somewhere they can't. They are doing just fine without the whiskers. It also has not hurt my dogs performance in something such as tracking, where what is transmitted through the air is very important. My couple involved in tracking have a lot of talent for it, and it has not hindered them.
I also show conformation, and am REQUIRED to remove them.
Unless I see proof that my dogs are hurting for lack of their whiskers, I will continue on with their removal, but since they are happy, healthy shelties without them, I'm not going to change to leaving the things on.

 

[Lightplum]

My dogs do fine without them. They are not stressed about the removal of them. They perform every task I put them to without trouble, and they do a lot of tasks.
Frankly, I've never seen my shelties hit a wall/try to stick their noses into something they shouldn't/try to fit somewhere they can't. They are doing just fine without the whiskers. It also has not hurt my dogs performance in something such as tracking, where what is transmitted through the air is very important. My couple involved in tracking have a lot of talent for it, and it has not hindered them.
I also show conformation, and am REQUIRED to remove them.
Unless I see proof that my dogs are hurting for lack of their whiskers, I will continue on with their removal, but since they are happy, healthy shelties without them, I'm not going to change to leaving the things on.

exactly funny thing mine dont change with or without them as in the winter I tend to let them grow a bit more since im lazy in the trimming dept in the winter time..its just feet done not the full show groom. but nothing about how they do things changes, so mine must not use them...the cats however do as I see them test things with them all the time.

 

[Crestlynn]

I'm wondering here if both ends of this topic are right. Most of us that have show dogs start clipping whiskers at a very young age. I know mine have had them trimmed by 6 or 8 weeks as part of the grooming training. Therefore it would be like someone that was born without or lost an appendage at an early age. Maybe the pups that have them trimmed very early on have never learned to 'use' the whiskers so they don't miss them?

I also start trimming them at a very young age so that they get used to it and it doesn't cause them undue stress. Just as I do with trimming toe nails, hair on the pads of the feet, brushing teeth, etc....all things that would be done by the pet owner also. I feel the earlier they get used to all of that, the better they will handle it as they get older.

 

[jazzyfizzle]

Interesting the things that get turned into a debate. lol I don't love the idea of trimming them, but will do so for the show ring. I let them grow the rest of the time. I have never noticed any difference at all in their actions or demeanor. It was the same with showing the horses, they came off at show time, and were left alone the rest of the year. Never had problems with the horses either. lol


Sher