What is the advantage of hairlessness to hairless dogs and cats?

Question

Is it just a freak mutation, or does hairlessness benefit them in some way? Are they able to sweat through pores like humans?

Answer 1

There are several reasons dogs can be hairless.

Firstly, most hairless dogs are around simply because of human aritificial selection. However, there are some cases of hairless dogs who are born naturally.

Natural hairless dogs are usually born alongside dogs who have hair (due to dominant and recessive genes). There are several possibilities I suppose as to why a hairless dog could be around. Firstly, depending on climate this is not really a disadvantage. Secondly, the hairless dog genes could've been started from some kind of mutation or disease in the not to distant (relatively) past and simply has not been stamped out by natural selection yet (or it may never be since the presence of fur is not such an important trait depending on climate I suppose).

Remember the vast majority of gene mishaps and mutations are neither positive or negative on the organism and can often stick around.

Answer 2

It is just a freak mutation like you guessed. The reason why hairless cats and dogs exist is artificial selection i.e. breeding. Breeding produces whichever traits the human selects for, it is not like natural selection whereby an advantagous trait persists. So the hairlessness does not benefit them in any way. In fact if these animals were wild, they would be left open to sunburn and skin cancer. Not to mention freezing in the winter.

Dogs and cats only have sweat glands in few locations, mainly the paws. They tend to regulate temperature by seeking shade, panting, causing evaporation of the moisture in their tongue and hence cooling, and bathing in cold water.

Answer 3

Hairlessness is not an advantage to dogs or cats. These animals are bred because some people like or want them, but they require as much or more skin care than a furry animal. They have to be protected from the sun, for one thing, especially the lighter colored ones. They may suffer from acne or dry skin, and may need frequent bathing and skin moisturizers. Of course they are also more sensitive to the cold than furry pets.
They may cause fewer allergies than furry pets, and not harbor fleas as much.
They are bred as pets, and as long as their owners give them the needed care, they do quite well. In the wild they would be at a severe disadvantage.

Answer 4

None. Hairless dogs and cats a breed by humans. I personally find it repulsive, both the breed itself and the people that breed them.

Dogs and cats have very few sweat glands. And these are not found in the skin but the food pads. Dogs and cats pant and breath hard to keep cool.

Answer 5

Humans have bred them for that trait. Apparently some humans like hairless dogs or cats. Humans are weird.

In the wild, these traits would definitely not be advantageous for these poor critters. Even in the care of humans, they are highly susceptible to sunburn and chilly temperatures.

Without human help, they'd probably be goners within days.

Answer 6

no, dogs cannot sweat through pores. They do have some temperature regualtion throught heir tongues which is why they pant. I cannot think of any real benefit to being hairless. I should think they need extra protection from the cold and hot sun

Answer 7

As far as I know it is just a natural mutation, there is no benefit per say, but there is no major problem for them either.

the Sphynx cat which is hairless originated in Canada, so the idea they all come from hot climates is wrong.

Answer 8

The only advantage is for humans so they don't have to clean up dog/cat hairs all the time. I have a dog that leaves half her coat where ever she sits but I wouldn't want a baldy dog, not very snuggly are they?

Answer 9

i could say dogs.. because of the fact its greater ordinary.. from my adventure once you feed him for as quickly as, this is going to become friendly/linked to you.. yet you ought to feed cats tremendously significantly better than 10 circumstances to make it believe in you and grow to be friends with you... the eyes of dogs shows the gratitude and love.. the place cats supplies uncertain seem although this is going to become cuter after it.. yet ordinary dogs is the main suitable..dont be responsive to why many like cats...

Answer 10

It's strictly what humans want, plain and simple.

Dogs sweat through their paws and they pant.

Dalmation patterns ahve no use in nature, shar'peis skin overheats them and can blind them, bulldogs have to be born via cesearian section often, they also can't breath well.

It's all for fashion.