Dog Hair vs Fur: Difference and Comparison

Have you ever wondered whether your companion at home has a hair coat or fur? The terms hair and fur may be used interchangeably.

They have scientifically similar compositions made from keratin. But do hair and fur essentially consist of similar texture, length, or appearance?

Key Takeaways

1. Dog hair refers to the longer, coarser hairs on a dog’s body that provide insulation.
2. Fur refers to the softer, shorter hairs that cover a dog’s body and protect its skin.
3. While the terms are often used interchangeably, hair and fur differ in texture, length, and purpose.

Dog Hair vs Fur

“Dog Hair” refers to hair on a dog’s body, specifically hair from breeds that grow long hair continuously and require regular trims, like humans. “Fur” refers to hair on a dog’s body, specifically hair from the breeds that have a maximum length they grow to and then shed.

Dog hair is made up of keratin. It goes through a longer growth cycle. Hair grows longer with a longer anagen phase. Due to the continuous growth of hair, it tends to be wavy and less allergic to reactions.

Dogs with hair shed less often. Hair tends to be thinner and finer.

Fur goes through a shorter phase of hair growth. Dogs with fur shed more often, and hence, the fur tends to be thicker and denser.

In winter, fur grows denser to protect from the cold weather and produce warmth. Some of the breeds with fur are Kuvasz, Akbash, American Eskimo, Maltese, etc.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Dog Hair	Fur
Growth cycle	Dog hair goes through a lengthy growth cycle.	Fur goes through a shorter growth cycle.
Texture	It has a fine texture making hair wavy.	It is thicker than hair.
Shedding	It sheds less often as wavy hair traps shredded hair.	It sheds constantly.
Allergic reaction	As the shredded hair gets trapped, it is less likely to produce an allergic reaction.	It is more likely to produce an allergic reaction.
Breed	Some of the dog breed with hair includes Yorkshire terriers, Poodles, Shih Tzu, etc.	Some dog breed with fur includes Pomeranian, Bichon Frise, etc.

What is Dog Hair? 

Dog hair goes through an extended cycle of hair growth. The hair grows longer, finer and may differ in texture ranging from straight to wavy. Dogs with hair go through a longer duration of new hair growth or anagen phase.

This duration makes their hair shed slowly and hence trapping any excess hair shedding. The dirt particles and follicles are trapped in the coats. Usually, they have a single coating that does not support adapting to a colder environment. 

Some of the breeds include

• Poodles: Poodles vary in their size. A toy poodle is 10 inches in height, miniatures are utmost 15 inches, and standards are at most 15 inches tall. They have short hair and minimal shedding.
• Shih Tzu: Shih Tzu has silky, long, and elegant hair. They do not shed hair all over the house. Their hairs are trapped by an undercoat which produces short hairs. 
• Yorkshire Terriers: They are toy-sized, having silky hairs. Their coats are thick and need regular grooming. They are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Some of the most famous breeds of dog known for their long silky hairs are Afghan Hound, American Eskimo, Bearded Collie, Skye Terrier, English Setter, Coton de Tulear, Shetland Sheepdog, Tibetan Terrier, Briard, Havanese, among others.

These breeds of dogs are found in different places and vary significantly in size. The most common trait is their long, silky, and elegant hairs marking their beautiful appearance.

What is Fur?

Dogs with fur go through a shorter cycle of hair growth. The hair grows thicker in texture. Dogs with fur go through a shorter duration of new hair growth or anagen phase.

This shorter duration makes their fur shed quickly and thus shedding undercoats during spring. Usually, they have a double coating to adapt their body to a colder environment.

Undercoat gives them warmth in winter and makes them appear soft and fluffy. The fur dogs adapt well to cold climates.

Some of the breeds include

• Samoyed: Samoyed found their origin in Siberia. They are cute and fluffy. Their double coat fur is shredded continuously, needing extra care.
• Old English sheepdog: Old English sheepdogs have long and fluffy coats. They weigh around 90 pounds and shed heavily. Their whole body is covered in fur. Their eyes and face are fully covered, making it difficult for them to see objects. They need to be groomed frequently.

Some of the most famous breeds of dog known for their smooth and fluffy fur are German shepherd, Newfoundland, Great Pyrenees, Tibetan mastiff, and Siberian husky, among others.

They adapt to cold climates. They need regular brushing and grooming as their fur is heavily shredded.

Main Differences Between Dog Hair and Fur

1. Dog hair passes through the extended anagen phase, while fur goes through a shorter anagen phase.
2. Dog hair is lengthier, turning into a curly or wavy texture. On the other hand, fur grows quickly and hence sheds rapidly.
3. Dog hair has a single coat, i.e., without an undercoat, whereas fur is protected with a double coat.
4. Dog hair is nonallergic, whereas fur is more drawn to allergic reactions.
5. Dog hair is not able to control outer temperatures, while fur has denser coats that provide warmth and control outer temperatures.

References

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2222.1985.tb02260.x
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401707006620