It's all in the link I posted Pita. It's not a scientific paper but an article by a specialist in this field. As far as I'm aware there are no data to indicate that a dog's 'whiskers' are any more, or any less functional or sensitive than the species that there has been research on.

The hair is a non living structure yes. The sensation comes from the stimulation of subcutaneous nerve endings. The difference between ordinary hair and 'whiskers' is in the level of development. 'Whiskers' are highly developed for this specific function.

So it comes down to whether you believe one person in the field or another, none of which have any proof of how they came to their decisions. Leaves one using ones common sense and as I have never seen a dog take any notice at all when a whisker is cut I think I will stick to believing what I was told till I have proof one way or the other or see a dog distressed or even notice when their whiskers are cut, not that that would prove anything really, you should see my lot when they spy the nail clippers and I swear I have never ever caught a quick.

I think for me it stems from my childhood when I cut all my dogs whiskers off (like you do? ) and I got an absolute rollicking!

I think if they didn't have another function other than normal hair then surely they wouldn't exist at all?

But yes it is down to personal choice and I choose not to chop em off!

Perhaps a bit like our apendix and male face hair, now surplus to requirements, wonder do apes have whiskers?