Skin is a wonderful invention - it guards against dehydration; protects dogs from exposure to the weather and provides follicles for hair growth; and last but not least makes pets very huggable. So what's the difference between human and canine?

The Differences

There are several differences between canine and human skin. The epidermis is the body's environmental shield that works as a barrier against injury, disease, and damage from ultraviolet light and is constantly replaced. Canine epidermis has a turnover rate of 20 days compared to humans which occurs approximately every 28 days. The epidermis of a dog is 3-5 cells thick however in humans it is at least 10-15 cells thick.

Hair

When hair grows in a canine, it grows in bundles. When a human hair develops it grows as a solitary hair and continues to grow unlike dog's hair which grows in cycles. When dog hair reaches a certain length determined by the individual dog's genetic makeup, it stops growing, and then dies. That's when shedding begins.

Sweat

The dog's dermal skin layer has two types of glands that produce fluids. The apocrine glands, which produce sweat in humans, have two other functions in dogs - they help seal the outer layer of the epidermis and they secrete pheromones that give dogs a distinctive body odour. The eccrine glands in the pads of the paws do produce a watery secretion similar human perspiration. This secretion leaves damp paw prints behind nervous or stressed canines and may also improve traction for a quick getaway.

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