Demodex is derived from Greek δημός (dēmos) 'fat' and δήξ, δηκός (dēx, dēkós) 'woodworm'.

The former was first described in 1842 by German physician and dermatologist Gustav Simon,[7] with English biologist Richard Owen naming the genus Demodex the following year.

Both species are primarily found in the face — near the nose, the eyelashes, and eyebrows — but also occur elsewhere on the body.

The mites can leave the follicles and slowly walk around on the skin, at a speed of 8–16 mm (3⁄8–5⁄8 in) per hour, especially at night, as they try to avoid light.

[9]: 2  The mites are transferred between hosts through contact with hair, eyebrows, and the sebaceous glands of the face.

Naturally, the D. canis mite has a commensal relationship with the dog, and under normal conditions does not produce any clinical signs or disease.

The escalation of a commensal D. canis infestation into one requiring clinical attention usually involves complex immune factors.

Under normal health conditions, the mite can live within the dermis of the dog without causing any harm to the animal.

Since D. canis is a part of the natural fauna on a canine's skin, the mite is not considered to be contagious.