|
|
Whiskers!
by Cindy & Kashi
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Hi everyone. I hope this isn't a ridiculous question, but here goes: I have been growing Kashi's coat out to full-length, and it's almost there, including his face. However, he now has these hugely long whiskers sticking out on his little face! As someone suggested earlier on the forum, they are supposed to fall out with brushing, but his haven't. Do I cut them off, wait for them to fall out or what? Thanks.
DISCUSSION:
Cindy,I cut Kailey's whiskers all the time. I don't know if I should, but it hasn't hurt her (to my knowledge). Gosh, I hope it wouldn't hurt her. Kailey's haven't fallen out either and she's four.
Roberta & Kailey
Hi! When you say "fall out" do you mean the hair actually falls out? I hope you mean droops-over - like a Fu Manchu mustaches. Because my Otto has had Fu Manchu Mustaches all his life (look in the photo album under Otto)- but he has very fine, straight hair. The mustache started to take shape when his snout hairs got to be a couple inches long.I think that if your puppy has curlier hair, the mustaches will not curve downward from their own weight. If the hair is 3 inches long and doesnt curve downward, maybe you should try another look! Shorter wiskers are adorable, too! Best of Luck!
valan & otto
Hi! When you say "fall out" do you mean the hair actually falls out? I hope you mean droops-over - like a Fu Manchu mustaches. Because my Otto has had Fu Manchu Mustaches all his life (look in the photo album under Otto)- but he has very fine, straight hair. The mustache started to take shape when his snout hairs got to be a couple inches long.I think that if your puppy has curlier hair, the mustaches will not curve downward from their own weight. If the hair is 3 inches long and doesnt curve downward, maybe you should try another look! Shorter wiskers are adorable, too! Best of Luck!
valan & otto
No, no, no, Valen. I don't mean the actual HAIR on his mustache, but besides the hair he has a few stiff whiskers, kind of like a cat. The actual hair drapes beautifully. He also has fine, straight hair. I was just wondering if most people have to cut the whiskers when they get to this length. In 19 years of owning Maltese, I've always kept them in a puppy cut until now, so this is something I've never had to address. Thanks for your responses!
Cindy & Kashi
Valan, I looked up the picture of Otto and he is soooo cute - really adorable. How in the world do you keep the topknot hair straight back like that? If I don't put Cricket's up in a bow it falls right in her eyes and she looks like a sheepdog. I don't get it with the whiskers; Cricket only has her soft whiskers - no hard straight ones.
Peg
Just this week I noticed one of Spunky's coarse whiskers had been bent back and was poking him in his eye. He has recently had his irritated and teary eyes treated and then had his tear ducts flushed. The whiskers might have contributed to his eye problems, so I'm going to keep trimming them.
Margy S
Visit the Largest and Most complete Maltese dog website in the World
Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advice.