Hair specimen: Canis familiaris (Domestic dog and dingo): Hair from study skin
Most diagnostic features for this species:
1. Medulla of guard hairs can vary from simple with scattered globular vacuoles to very fine wide lattice 2. Cross-section usually a mix of circular and oval shapes 3. Large diameter
Sample
Description: Range of hairs from adult study skin
Sample origin: Brunner and Coman 1974 "The identification of mammalian hair". Melbourne, Australia: Inkata Press
Hair profile
General shape: Large variation, straight to wavy, depending on breed
Length (mm): Variable depending on breed
Maximum diameter observed (μm): Guard hairs diameter > 40 at widest point
Colour: Varied
Microscopic features
Guard hair medulla: Wide, simple (magnification 468x)
Guard hair medulla: Wide lattice (magnification 468x)
Guard hair scales distal shaft: Irregular wave, near separation, crenate margins (magnification 468x)
Guard hair scales mid/proximal shaft: Irregular mosaic, near to distant separation, smooth margins (magnification 468x)
Cross sections of guard and underhairs, U=underhair (magnification 468x)
Citation
Lowe B, Wehi PM. 2017. New Zealand hair identification factsheets: Domestic dog and dingo: Hair from study skin
www.landcareresearch.co.nz/hair-identification
Accessed: 1 April 2025