What is noticeably similar in cats and dogs is that in each if the whikers are touched the animal blinks its eyes or has some other physical reaction. In both species it can be demonstrated that the whiskers are attached, subcutaneously, to specialized nerves which, apparently, can help the animal orient itself to its surroundings. In dogs, especially, smells are directed to the nose by the hairs. Show dogs often have their whiskers trimmed for appearance sake, and nothing drastic happens. However, if the dog were in its natural state, i.e., outside, its probable that they wouldn't function as well...