A dog’s whiskers or vibrissae function as sensory feelers. They’re located not just on the muzzle, but on the chin and above each eye, and are some of the first hairs to grow in puppies. Each is embedded about three times the depth of a normal hair, and has a rich nerve supply. They’re similar to human eyelashes that can cause the eye to shut on reflex.
Try this with your dog: Touch his vibrissae on one cheek, and watch his eye on that side blink. It’s as though he had an extra set of eyelashes to warn him something’s coming at his eye.
Each vibrissae can be mapped to a specific location in the dog’s brain, suggesting they really do impart localized information. They also seem to help dogs detect objects in dim light; they are so sensitive they can detect air currents bouncing off a wall, for example.
Dogs without vibrissae appear to be more hesitant in dim light compared to dogs with intact vibrissae.
Dogs probably rely on their vibrissae less than do cats or rats, but they wouldn’t have them if they weren’t important. Tell your groomer to leave them on. And don’t think you have to cut them off to win in the show ring. I’ve never met a judge who says they notice whether they’re there or not.
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Thanks: http://www.dogchannel.com/why-dogs/why-do-dogs-have-whiskers.aspx