All dog owners can agree that dogs come with a lot of fun and weird quirks, and one that stands out the most is the swirl of fur on their bum. Let’s find out why it's there!
Dogs have swirls on their bum because that's simply how their fur grows there. Hair doesn't all grow in the same direction, and where hair growing in different directions meets, it forms a whorl, or cowlick – just like the crown on the back of a human head. The rump, around the base of the tail, is one of the most common places for this to happen.
You may come across other theories, such as the swirls helping dogs attract mates or release heat, but there's no evidence for them.Regardless of why dogs have swirls on their bum, it is undeniably one of the most adorable features of dogs.
Do Dogs Have Butt Cheeks?
Another quirky thing about dogs is their butt. Besides the swirls on their bum, you’ve probably noticed how they have a distinct butt structure. You may have found yourself confused with a question, which is rather weird yet perfectly valid, that is, do dogs have butt cheeks? Technically speaking, dogs do not have butt cheeks as humans do. What they have is actually gluteal muscles, which help them move around. Dogs also use their rear end to communicate, as we explain in why your dog pushes his bum into other dogs.
While this may seem a bit complicated for us humans, it is actually beneficial for dogs. The fact that dogs do not have butt cheeks makes it easier for them to pass their stool without any restriction. Since dogs do not use toilets like us, having butt cheeks will be problematic for them and may cause a mess. For how dogs keep this area clean, see do dogs clean themselves like cats.
So, how do they sit?
If dogs do not have butt cheeks, how do they even sit? They sit on their haunches: the weight rests on the back of the pelvis and the folded hind legs, with the tail usually tucked to one side. Their anus sits under the base of the tail, so it isn't what they sit on. That's also why a sitting dog looks so different from a sitting person.
This leads to another question, can dogs fart if they don’t have butt cheeks? Well, if you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably seen or heard them fart out loud. So, yes. Dogs can pass gas and fart without having butt cheeks.
What are Cowlicks on Dogs?
Cowlicks are actually a very common phenomenon occurring on a dog’s fur. Basically, they are just a bunch of fur that grows in a particular direction. They can either occur in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
In dogs, cowlicks often appear on the forehead and are also most noticeable there. However, they can also appear in different parts of the body where there is hair. Some of the common areas where you might see cowlicks on a dog’s body are – the rump, chest, back of the legs, and elbows. Some dogs may even have cowlicks on their faces.
Just like whorls on humans, no two dogs have the same-looking cowlicks on their bodies. Even if they are of the same breed, they may have cowlicks on different parts of the body. Moreover, some cowlicks may be bigger than others and can also be more pronounced. But regardless of the shape and size, we can all agree that a cowlick adds personality to your dog.
How Can You Get Rid of Cowlicks on Dogs?
If you’re not a fan of cowlicks on your dog, you’re probably wondering how you can get rid of them. Unfortunately, it is not possible to completely get rid of cowlicks on dogs. However, there are a few things you can do to minimize their appearance. Regular brushing and grooming can help a lot in making them look less pronounced. You can also use a leave-in conditioner to weigh down the hair so that the cowlicks do not look messy.
Dog Breeds with Cowlicks
As mentioned earlier, cowlicks are extremely common in dogs. They tend to appear a lot more in dogs that have a long and dense coat. We list more long-coated breeds in our guide to fluffy dog breeds.
Breeds that are susceptible to cowlicks are Havanese, Yorkshire terrier, and Maltese dogs. That does not mean that dogs with short coats can be free from cowlicks. Even dogs with short coats like Rhodesian ridgebacks can have cowlicks on their backs.
Five Interesting Facts about Dog Hair Whorls or Cowlicks
Here are some interesting facts about cowlicks, also known as hair whorls, so that you can learn more about them:
- Cowlicks can grow in two different directions. The direction can be either clockwise or counterclockwise.
- Besides the direction, cowlicks can also come in two different types. They can be either simple hair whorls or tufted hair whorls. Simple hair whorls originate from a central point that diverges into a swirling pattern. On the other hand, tufted hair whorls have hairs converging from several areas to a central point.
- Hair whorls or cowlicks tend to grow in 10 specific areas. But the most common area in almost every dog is the chest, rump area, elbow, and front legs.
- Some research suggests that the location and direction of a dog's whorls may be linked to whether they prefer their left or right paw, and even to temperament. The evidence is still limited, though, so don't read too much into your own dog's swirls.
- The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a unique set of whorls. Its famous ridge is a strip of hair along the back that grows in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat, with two identical whorls (called crowns) facing each other at the top of the ridge. According to the breed standard, show dogs should have exactly two crowns; having just one or more than two is considered a fault.
Conclusion
With that, we come to the end of this article. Hopefully, you’ve learned a lot more about the swirls and cowlicks that you might see on your dogs. Even though some people might consider them ugly or undesirable, cowlicks definitely add personality to your dogs and make them unique.
