How long does it take a dog to malt? A Comprehensive Guide

Clubs Offering:

Different dog breeds shed in different amounts: Some shed seasonally, while others shed year-round. This depends on the type of coat your dog has. A Golden Retriever, for example, has a thicker double-coat, which makes it more likely to shed year-round.

For dogs that shed seasonally, you’ll notice that most shedding occurs in the spring and fall. In the spring, your dog’s coat will become lighter, in preparation for the warm weather. Similarly, in the fall, in preparation for winter, you will see a change in your dog’s coat and a higher incidence of shedding.

For dog’s who shed often, it is important to brush them – sometimes weekly, sometimes a few times a week, or sometimes daily during periods of heavy shedding.

Even if your dog is not a big shedder, it is still important to brush and groom them regularly, but how often you groom depends on their coat.

Brushing: yes or no?

Regular brushing removes the excess hair and, especially during the moulting period, brushing can give the dog some relief of itchy hairs. For short and smooth-haired dogs, it is better to be a little reluctant with the brushing though. Outside the moulting season, brushing is hardly necessary. Too much brushing can cause skin damage.

Make sure to always choose the right dog brush. For dogs with a shorter coat, use a soft brush (such as a rubber brush or a bristle brush). For dogs with a longer, wired coat you can use a comb or slicker brush. Do not press too hard in the fur so you dont irritate the skin.

To prevent tangling it is important to take extra care:

Around the ears

At the nose / mouth

In the armpits

Around the soles of the feet and between the toes

Under the tail

Are you hiring a dog sitter for an overnight stay or for doggy daycare? Then tell your sitter about the type of coat of your dog and give your sitter the right dog brush. Make clear arrangements with your dog sitter so that he or she knows whats best for your dogs fur.

During the moulting period, bathing can provide a bit of relief for some dogs. The running water and the use of a neutral dog shampoo can loosen some of the dead hair. Afterwards, blow-dry the coat with a dryer to prevent the fur from tangling. You can do this 1-2 times during the moulting period. Dogs with a short or silky coat dont need to be shampooed unless they are really dirty after swimming in a stinky pool or rolling in smelly stuff. Too much washing can disturb the natural balance of the skin and coat. Read more about washing your dog.

Furthermore: A healthy dog has a healthy coat – that is why a healthy and balanced diet is always important – especially during the moulting season. Does your dog lose a lot of hair outside the season? Do you see irritation, itching, bald spots or other discomforts with your dog? Then there may be another underlying health problem such as stress, an infection or vitamin deficiency. Be sure to visit your vet.

Choosing a Brush for your Dog

Choosing the right brush can help in your grooming process, especially if your dog sheds frequently.

For dogs with shorter coats (think Beagles, Pugs, or German Shorthaired Pointers):

You can do a fine job of loosening dead hair and setting it free with a natural-bristle brush or even a hound mitt or glove with bristles on the palm.

First brush the coat in the opposite direction of hair growth, to pull dead hair out, then brush in the direction of hair growth to remove it. Repeat this process a few times to get out all the hair and to distribute the natural oils from the skin all over the coat.

If using a hound mitt or glove, massage the coat in a circular motion to loosen hair, then “brush” (i.e., “pet”) in the direction of hair growth. Repeat a few times, especially when shedding is heavy.

For dogs with longer coats – Especially for double-coated dogs – the ones with a downy undercoat beneath a harder outer coat, such as Pomeranians, Collies, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis:

You need a tool that can reach down under that outer coat to grab the downy undercoat and pull out the dead hairs. Slicker brushes are excellent tools for such dogs. Go over the coat in both directions a few times, until you’re pulling out less and less hair from the brush.

When shedding really picks up, especially with the double-coated breeds, switch over to a coat rake or shedding tool. They all work a little differently, but basically, you pull the tool along the coat in the direction of hair growth, then pull up and away. For shedding tools with blades, don’t press too hard. If you run across any tangles or mats, pick these out with a steel comb or use a mat splitter.

Sometimes underlying endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism or congenital problems such as follicular dysplasia can cause excessive shedding. It is also possible your dog may have allergies, and this can cause skin and shedding problems.

If you think your dog may have a skin problem, talk to your veterinarian.

Otherwise, the most effective method to combat shedding is to remove dead hair with regular brushing, combing, and the use of pore- and follicle-dilating shampoos and baths. Some dogs can even be vacuumed! https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php Get Your Free AKC eBook

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Is your dogs hair loss just normal shedding, or could it point to something else? Get the scoop on why dogs lose hair, when its healthy and when you might need to see a vet.

Is your dog shedding? Hair loss in dogs is very common. In fact, nearly every dog parent notices their dog losing hair at some point. Oftentimes, it’s just normal, seasonal shedding for your dog’s breed. Other times, hair loss in dogs can be caused by something else, such as parasites, stress, dog allergies or another health issue. Discover the possible reasons for a dog losing hair, and the most important facts about dog shedding.

Is your dog itching or scratching a lot too? Then you may also want to check out the causes and treatments for an itchy dog.