whisker whacker

TaraLynn said:
NEVER heard of this before!! I love my little mans whiskers! I wouldn't whack them ever!! Poor guy has to deal with Mommy fussing enough over his ears as it is!! :no:
Click to expand...

I have to agree with Tara, I love Sadie's whiskers, it never occured to me to cut them off. I think it adds to her cuteness. I can understand doing it for shows though.
 
Lightplum said:
If you show they have to come off.....otherwise it doesnt matter.
Click to expand...


Yes, unfortunately my opinion will probably never change show rules.
I realize that my opinion here will likely be very unpopular, but at least if your sheltie is only a pet I think that you shouldn't clip the whiskers.

They are important sensors for the dog. They're not just hair. There is a large part of touch sensation connected to the brain through these whiskers. They are involved in location of objects, and as an early warning system for the dog, among other things. You can actually map the part of the brain thats attached to each whisker. It often causes stress to have them cut, for no other reason than cosmetics.

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to tell people what to do. I know that if you want to show your Sheltie, it's not really a choice. I just don't think it should be done.
 
You know....to be honest....I never even noticed them until this thread started! :lol: now all I think of when I see him in the sun light is "Not by the hairs on my chinny chin chin!"
 
KaiLReddtai said:
They are important sensors for the dog. They're not just hair. There is a large part of touch sensation connected to the brain through these whiskers. They are involved in location of objects, and as an early warning system for the dog, among other things. You can actually map the part of the brain thats attached to each whisker. It often causes stress to have them cut, for no other reason than cosmetics.
Click to expand...

That is interesting. I didn't know that there was a purpose for the whiskers on dogs. Thanks for sharing the information.
 
I really don't think the whiskers are something a dog must have in order to function correctly as a pet. I do every type of activity imaginable with my shelties, including herding and tracking, who all have shaved whiskers, and have not seen where whacking the whiskers off has had any adverse effects.
To be honest, dogs don't live in the wild, don't have to hunt for themselves, don't have to defend themselves, and don't have to care for themselves anymore.
 
HopeShelties said:
I really don't think the whiskers are something a dog must have in order to function correctly as a pet. I do every type of activity imaginable with my shelties, including herding and tracking, who all have shaved whiskers, and have not seen where whacking the whiskers off has had any adverse effects.
To be honest, dogs don't live in the wild, don't have to hunt for themselves, don't have to defend themselves, and don't have to care for themselves anymore.
Click to expand...

I never claimed they were essential, only that they actually have a very important use. All I'm saying is I think if it causes the dogs stress to have them clipped (and perhaps for your dogs it doesn't), then they shouldn't since it's purely for looks.
 
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.
 
HopeShelties said:
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.
Click to expand...

And through centuries of domestication, we've also changed the feeding habits of dogs.

So whiskers, no whiskers. Raw food vs. kibble. Tip ears or not to tip! The pups thrive if they are raised with love and attention to their individual needs. It's all the same type of discussion.

To each his/her own. As long as pups are healthy, lively, etc., then carry on with whatever you are doing.

My tuppence worth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top