Whiskers

[Murphys Law]

Murphy had developed big matts behind both ears that I couldn't get out so I decided to take him to a groomer that specialises in cockers for a general touch up.

He came back looking great (and a bit different) but minus his lovely whiskers. Do they grow back?

I seem to remember my cavaliers whiskers disappearing never to be seen again.

On the plus side, Murphy had the full treatment, hairdryer and all, with no problems and seemed to enjoy the experience.

[Geordietyke]

We've kept Archie huge whiskers for the moment as he looks so cute  but we shaved them off my previous cocker and they always grew back again.

[Jane57]

Yes they grow back and quick... I always get Riley,s off, I think it makes them cleaner looking and defines the facial features more.

[twiceover2]

They do grow back.  I prefer not to have my dogs' whiskers trimmed as they are there to help them with sensing things around them and have a lot of nerve endings in the base. 

[Murphys Law]

They do grow back.  I prefer not to have my dogs' whiskers trimmed as they are there to help them with sensing things around them and have a lot of nerve endings in the base.

This is why I would like them to grow back. Next time I will mention it to the groomer to not cut them.

[Willowmebob]

Can anybody tell me why cockers need to have their whiskers removed for showing.  I would have thought that they are classed as part of the dogs sensory system like their eyes and ears.  They are also a natural part of the dog so why take them away?

[Pearly]

I thought the guidance from the Kennel Club had changed on this topic    only those breeds where it's beneficial to the dogs welfare have their whiskers trimmed?

[JamiesGirl]

Dogs don't have to have their whiskers removed for showing at all. not sure why people think this? 
Jamie was shown from about 9 months till around 6 years and always had his whiskers as he was handstripped, shown cockers should not be clipped so its unlikely that handlers/owners/groomers would choose to strip out the actual whiskers as it would be like us pulling out our nose hair (painful - although my OH does  ) trimming yes, but not as in taking them off! Jamie had his eyelashes and whiskers trimmed to make them all the same length when he was shown, now i just leave them and they are about a mile long and very pretty 

Don't worry murphy's whiskers will grow back many older cockers who are clipped have their whiskers clipped off just because its easier than hand stripping the face thats all.

[Willowmebob]

That's interesting to know.  I hand strip my girls for showing and when I started I was told to take their whiskers off.  I didn't pull them, just trimmed.  I never understood why.  If they don't need to and aren't marked down for it, then I will let them keep them.  They look so much nicer and more natural with them. 

[JamiesGirl]

That's interesting to know.  I hand strip my girls for showing and when I started I was told to take their whiskers off.  I didn't pull them, just trimmed.  I never understood why.  If they don't need to and aren't marked down for it, then I will let them keep them.  They look so much nicer and more natural with them.

As far as I'm aware as long as the whiskers and eyelashes are 'uniform' then they can not be marked down, but you may want to check with KC.

[Jane57]

That's interesting to know.  I hand strip my girls for showing and when I started I was told to take their whiskers off.  I didn't pull them, just trimmed.  I never understood why.  If they don't need to and aren't marked down for it, then I will let them keep them.  They look so much nicer and more natural with them.

There was a new statement out quite recently saying something along the lines now that the removal of whiskers was optional  in showing.

[KeresleyKate]

The breeder had trimmed off Arvy's whiskers when we picked him up at 8 weeks old. They are almost fully back now but I do think its important a dog has all its sensory and communication equipment ie whiskers and tail.

Kate