| Summary: | Textile products are composed of a range of materials and fibers. The natural protein fibers that are currently used in textile production such as wool, mohair, and silk can be very costly to the manufacturer and consumer. A non-traditional protein animal fiber, such as dog hair, can prove to be a cheaper, environmentally friendly, and very suitable substitute for the traditional protein fibers used today in textile processing. The use of this abundant protein fiber is very possibly a promising new avenue for the textile industry. This thesis explores the feasibility of using non-traditional protein animal fibers, such as dog hair in conventional textile products. Experimental analysis is used to determine if the properties of these particular protein fibers make them suitable for use in textile applications. Physical properties of eighteen dog breeds were determined and compared to traditional animal hair fibers. Results show it would be reasonable to consider dog fiber as a possibility for conversion into staple yarns. With strength, percent strain, and modulus, as a basis, dog fibers would perform equally as well as traditionally used animal fibers, and possibly better in certain instances. The following breeds should be considered as candidates for short staple processing: American Eskimo, Poodle, Sheep Dog, Shih Tzu, Schnauzer, Labrador Retriever, Pekingese, and Westie. The dog breeds that would be appropriate for long staple processing are as follows: Bichon Frise, Cocka-Poo, Lhasa Apso, Pomeranian, and Australian Shepherd.
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