Personally, I'm really tired of people saying that one breed or another "has hair not fur" so people aren't allergic to it, or some other nonsense.
My research and talking to breeders and scientists show that there is no difference. I'll show you some of the results of my online research, but if anyone has any other theories or information (pro or con), I'd love to see it.
Most sites below are from scientists.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-diff... : "The primary difference between hair and fur, it turns out, is word usage. We generally refer to non-human mammals as having fur, while humans are said to have hair..."
http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.... : "Hair and fur are the same thing."
http://www.amos.indiana.edu/library/scri... : "hair and fur are practically identical."
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/zo...
http://dogplay.com/Articles/MyArticles/h...
Difference between hair and fur? They are essentially the same thing. Generally for dogs, the distinction comes from how we describe how it grows.
What most people consider as "fur" grows to a set length, then stops growing until the coat sheds, and the new coat grows in to a set length, etc. Think of a lab - their coats do not grow to the ground. It stops growing and the dog sheds.
What most people consider as "hair" keeps growing until the hair itself either breaks or falls out (like our hair). So, unlike a lab, think of a portugese water dog (if you know that breed) or a poodle. Those breeds need to be groomed regularly because their coat just keeps growing. Generally dogs with this type of coat are considered better for people with allergies because they shed less and produce less dander.
Difference between hair and fur? people usually aren't allergic to either hair or fur but to the protein in the dander. All warm blooded animals shed - some don't drop their shedded coat but all are shed. Report It
Difference between hair and fur? long coated animals do not have any less dander or shed any less than short coated breeds. Report It
Difference between hair and fur? people are not allergic to the hair/fur in the first place it's the dandruff!!!
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i know it's not about allergies, I was just staing the fact to show you people do not know what they are talking about.
Difference between hair and fur? Hah! Want to see a mess that makes you sneeze, allergies or no? Come to my house in moulting season (RIGHT NOW!) 4 birds produce 10 x the dander that my 4 cats and 1 dog make.
I am having a passionate love affair with my vaccuum right now!
Fish, reptiles, and amphibians are the only true 'hypo-allergenic' animals.
EDIT: Yes you're right. Fur is hair. Weird how when a horse grows out its winter coat, people still say 'hair.' Sure looks like fur to me!
Difference between hair and fur? As I have always understood it, hair keeps on growing. Fur only grows to a certain length and stops. As in hair on your head but fur on your arms. This study was done at the University School of Medicine St Louis. I have always heard the difference described that way. For decades. Anyway, hair/fur are not the problem with allergies. It is the dander that is under it.
Difference between hair and fur? You're right, there's no difference. Fur IS hair.
It's very annoying when someone spews this, but it automatically gives me a clue as to the person's IQ
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EDIT: missus_cake is correct, so quit with the thumbs down -- dogs have coat.
Difference between hair and fur? You are correct, basically, no difference.
Surprisingly enough, there is no actual difference between hair and fur. Though unique to mammals, hair and fur are chemically indistinguishable and are made of keratin, giving them the same chemical make-up as skin, feathers, and nails.
The primary difference between hair and fur, it turns out, is word usage. We generally refer to non-human mammals as having fur, while humans are said to have hair, but there are a few exceptions. When an animal has very coarse or sparse fur, as in the case of a pig or elephant, we usually call it hair. Similarly, a cat or other animal without fur is referred to as "hairless" or even "naked".
On the other hand, we sometimes apply the term fur to ourselves. 閳ユ窏e has a hairy chest,閳?could also be 閳ユ窏e has a furry chest.閳?Generally however fur applies to mammals other than ourselves, unless we are making a deliberate attempt to apply animal characteristics to humans.
The purpose of hair and fur seems the same, no matter the host.
Anyone telling you that Poodles, Bichons, Maltese don't shed are incorrect. They shed but their hair/fur is so fine (like baby hair) that it just tangles with the hairs around it as it sheds. If ignored, you end up with a poor little dog that can barely move and a mat that can often be shaved off in one piece and looks like an animal pelt.
