Reasons to trim or pull face hair back
Reason #1: Dogs can see better–it’s that simple. If you had to choose between seeing clearly versus blurred or obstructed vision, you’d always choose the former. So why wouldn’t you also choose that for your dog?
Reason #2: They can interact better with other dogs. Dogs tune into body language cues as a major form of communication, so being able to see the full picture is crucial for good communication between dogs.
Reason #3: Keeping fur out of the eyes helps maintain healthy eyes. When hairs occasionally touch the eyeballs, it can cause discomfort, chronic conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and other eye problems.
Reason #4: It’s safer. Dogs that can’t fully see may feel very vulnerable, causing them to be easily startled and misinterpret a situation. Behavioral effects can include skittishness, defensive behaviors, and unpredictability.
Unless you have a dog show on the horizon, we implore you to “lift the curtains” and let your dog see the world by trimming the hair that covers his eyes. And even if your dog is a show dog, you can use a hair clip or hair tie to give him a stylish topknot until it’s his turn to enter the ring.
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Some dog breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog, Briard, and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are known to have hair that grows long and covers their eyes. Though it may not be something you really think about, a good question to ask is, “can these dogs really see with all that hair over their eyes?”
Unfortunately, antiquated breed standards “require” these breeds to have hair over their eyes in order to fit the desired look and preserve tradition. But all dogs deserve full use of the eyes they were gifted. Here are several reasons why you should trim or pull the hair back from your dog’s eyes.
How do I clean the hair around my dogs eyes?
Using a water-moistened wash cloth or sponge, very gently wipe the area around the eye to loosen and remove this dirt. Never wipe the eye itself. And be sure to approach this area slowly so you don’t startle your dog.
Can Dogs See Color? – How a Dog’s VISION Works
There are several dog breeds with hair covering their eyes, and many people wonder whether these dogs are bothered at all by all those hairs and if they are even able to see. Whether these dogs can see or not is often a subject of debate, but more and more people are recognizing that their dogs do much better when their facial hairs are removed or tied up.
There are several dog breeds with hair covering their eyes, and many people wonder whether these dogs are bothered at all by all those hairs and if they are even able to see.
One of the most popular dog breeds known for having fur over the eyes is the old English sheepdog which is required by breed standard to have “the whole skull well covered with hair.”
Whether these dogs can see or not is often a subject of debate, but more and more people are recognizing that their dogs do much better when their facial hairs are removed or tied up in whats known in grooming circles as a “top knot.”