The hair of the short coat grows close together to help a dog stay warm.

• A. The hair grows far apart to stay cool.
• B. The hair grows evenly across the body.
• C. The hair grows close together to stay warm.
• D. The hair grows only on the muzzle.

Answer: (C)

Dense, close-packed hairs create an insulating layer by trapping air next to the skin, which reduces heat loss and helps a short-coated dog stay warm. If the hairs were far apart, air would circulate more easily and warmth would escape, so the dog would feel cooler. A coat that grows evenly or only on the muzzle doesn’t explain warmth as specifically as dense, close growth does. So, close together hair growth best explains why a short coat can help a dog stay warm.