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Hair and fur are both composed primarily of collagen, and contain no living cells. They are structurally similar, but differ in thickness and distribution. Some authorities make the distinction that hair grows continuously (although it eventually reaches a maximum length and falls out), whereas fur grows to a fixed length and stops.
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Scientific American published an interview in 2001, with an expert mammologist from the New York American Museum of Natural History, where the question of the difference between hair and fur was asked. The short answer is, "no difference"). It's very interesting, and can be found here:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=what-is-the-difference-be
Whether it is referred to as "hair", or "fur"; how long it grows; and whether it ever stops growing, is based :
- first on the species of mammal involved
(for example, neck hair on horses, versus neck hair on cats)
- then - if there are breeds of that mammal - on the breed
(for example, the length of neck hair/fur on Siamese cats versus length of neck hair/fur on Persian cats, or length of neck hair/fur on Friesian or Andalusian horses , or Appaloosa horses )
- and finally on the genetics of the individuals themselves.
When, or if, the hair/fur in a certain area ever stops growing, depends on the type of hair/fur it is.
Whether fur/hair is shed, depends on all of the above, as well.
See also:
What else can I help you with?
Do dogs have fur or hair, and what is the difference between the two?
Dogs have fur, which is a type of hair. The main difference between fur and hair is that fur is typically denser, thicker, and provides more insulation than hair.
What's the difference between hair and fur on a dog?
Hair and fur are both made of the same protein, but they have different characteristics. Hair is typically longer, finer, and grows continuously, while fur is shorter, denser, and sheds seasonally. Dogs have both hair and fur on their bodies, with hair being more prominent on certain breeds.
What are the differences between dog fur and hair, and how can you distinguish between the two?
Dog fur and hair are both made of the same protein, but they have different textures and purposes. Fur is typically shorter, denser, and softer, while hair is longer, coarser, and serves more of a protective function. To distinguish between the two, you can look at the texture and length of the coat. Fur is usually softer and shorter, while hair is longer and coarser.
What is the difference between hair and fur on a dog?
Hair and fur are both made of the same protein, but they have different characteristics. Hair is typically longer, grows continuously, and sheds less frequently. Fur, on the other hand, is shorter, denser, and sheds more often. Dogs have both hair and fur on their bodies, with hair usually found on the head and tail, and fur covering the rest of the body.
What is the difference between hair and fur on dogs?
Hair and fur are both made of the same protein, but they have different characteristics. Hair is typically longer, finer, and grows continuously, while fur is shorter, denser, and sheds seasonally. Dogs have both hair and fur on their bodies, with hair usually found on certain areas like the head and tail, and fur covering the rest of the body.
What type of body covering does a mammal have?
The body covering of mammals is skin, fur or hair. This is one of the defining characteristics of mammals.Note: There is no chemical difference between fur and hair, as both are made up of keratin. The difference is in man's perception of each. Animals which are regarded as having "hair" simply have a different type of "fur", and vice versa.
What is the difference between hair and fur in dogs?
Hair and fur are both made of the same protein, but they have different characteristics. Hair is typically longer, finer, and grows continuously, while fur is shorter, denser, and sheds seasonally. In dogs, hair is often found on certain breeds with a single coat, while fur is more common on breeds with a double coat.
What is the difference between dog hair and dog fur?
The main difference between dog hair and dog fur is that hair is longer, finer, and typically grows continuously, while fur is shorter, denser, and sheds seasonally.
What is the difference between dog hair and dog fur, and how can you distinguish between the two?
The main difference between dog hair and dog fur is their texture and length. Dog hair is typically longer, finer, and softer, while dog fur is shorter, denser, and coarser. To distinguish between the two, you can feel the texture of the hair/fur and observe its length and thickness.
What's the difference between dog hair and dog fur?
The main difference between dog hair and dog fur is that hair is longer, finer, and typically grows continuously, while fur is shorter, denser, and sheds seasonally.
Is a dog a land animal with hair?
The dog is obviously a land animal with fur, for fur and hair have different atom structures.
What is the difference between dog breeds with hair and fur?
The main difference between dog breeds with hair and fur is that hair continues to grow and requires regular grooming, while fur sheds and grows to a certain length before stopping.
