Why Dogs Don't Go Bald Despite Daily Hair Loss

While both humans and dogs have hair, there's a significant difference in the nature and function of their fur.

Function

Let's start with humans. Our hair, primarily, serves to protect our scalp, aid in the evaporation of sweat from the head, and enhance our appearance. For the most part, it's a decorative feature with practical benefits.

However, for dogs, their fur serves a much more profound purpose. It's not just about shedding heat or keeping warm; it's a multifaceted shield against the elements, including UV rays, and much more. We won't delve into all the details here, but suffice it to say, the role of fur for dogs is far more than mere decoration.

In essence, hair for humans is more about aesthetics than utility, while for dogs, it's the complete opposite.

Lifespan

The lifespan of a human hair is approximately six years, whereas a dog's hair typically lasts around 130 days. Such a disparity in lifespan suggests that dogs have a unique set of hairrelated advantages.

Some might argue that breeds like Poodles don't shed much. But that's not because they don't lose hair; it's just that their hair has a longer growth cycle, making shedding less noticeable. Yet, they do shed, just like any other dog.

Follicles

Humans usually have one hair per follicle, but dogs can have up to 20 hairs per follicle. This isn't as intimidating as it sounds; it's a type of follicle known as a "compound follicle," found in many animals.

Length

Intelligent as you are, you've probably noticed that human hair can grow wild if left untended. But in the case of dogs, once their fur reaches the normal length for their breed, it stops growing.

Have you ever seen a Rottweiler that needs to visit a grooming salon monthly for haircuts and styling? Yet Poodles require regular grooming sessions. This is because Poodles have a different hair growth mechanism, but even if they're not groomed, their hair will eventually stop growing at a certain length.

In simpler terms, a dog's hair is more "intelligent" than human hair.

Inheritance

Male pattern baldness can be inherited in humans, but it's not a concept present in dogs' genetics. Don't laugh at yourself just yet; while most dogs don't suffer from baldness, their fur can fall out due to various external factors like fungi, mites, and skin infections, which can damage their follicles. Human hair is clearly more resilient.

What about hairless dog breeds? Let's not be too hasty in our judgments. Hairless dogs aren't truly hairless; they do have fine fur on their skin. The reason for their lack of hair is often attributed to environmental influences and selective breeding that has led to damaged follicles, according to most canine organizations.

Regeneration

A study by the National Institutes of Health on 11 Labrador Retrievers found that after their hair was artificially trimmed, it would regrow within 13.6 to 15.4 weeks. Interestingly, the growth rate of dog fur is not affected by the seasons.