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There is not much in this world cuter than a puppy. Besides their downy ears and ridiculous antics, part of their undeniable appeal is their soft puppy coats. Unfortunately for adoring owners, puppyhood doesn’t last forever. Loss of puppy coat is a normal part of your dog’s growth, but it can be alarming for first-time owners. Here is what you can expect during this phase of your puppy’s life.
What’s the Difference Between a Puppy Coat & Adult Coat?
Puppies are born with a single coat of soft, fluffy fur that helps regulate their body temperature. This coat naturally gives way to their adult coat, which is usually thicker and stiffer than their puppy coat.
As they develop, dog breeds with double coats grow two layers of adult fur, with the undercoat usually shorter than the outer coat. Dog breeds that have single coats grow their own distinctive coats as they shed their puppy coat – some short and curly and some long and silky.
Some changes in appearance are normal during this phase. Dogs may develop coats that are a different color than their puppy coat. Dalmatians are known for this, as they are born without spots, but many breeds develop different coat coloring and patterns as they shed their puppy fur. English Setters, Bedlington Terriers, Kerry Blue Terriers, and Shih Tzu are a few of the breeds that may change colors dramatically from puppy to adult.
Dogs with hair, such as Poodles and Maltese, tend to continually grow their hair with minimal shedding. Dogs that have fur, such as Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies, will always be shedding as they replace old pieces of fur with new ones.
We cover the ins and outs of normal puppy shedding, what you can expect when your puppy is shedding, and how to help minimize the loose fur that is flying off your pup and into your life.
There will likely never be a point where you don’t notice your dog shedding, except right after a complete de-shedding treatment, if your dog has fur and not hair.
You likely won’t notice them shedding much before they are around 4-months-old, although there will still be minor shedding.
Even breeds that aren’t typically known for shedding their coat, such as a Poodle, will still shed the occasional hair. This is the same as us humans!
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Puppies often don’t shed when we first bring them home, especially at a young age, because they’re just growing their first set of fur ever. This might make it seem like a surprise when they start to lose their puppy coat.
We cover the ins and outs of normal puppy shedding, what you can expect when your puppy is shedding, and how to help minimize the loose fur that is flying off your pup and into your life.
After a puppy is 4-5 months old, they begin to lose their baby coat and will shed almost all of their fur in a short period of time as they grow a new coat. Young puppies won’t usually shed, since they are still growing their first coat.
If you bring your puppy home at 8-10 weeks of age, it will be a few months before you notice any significant shedding occur.
You likely won’t notice them shedding much before they are around 4-months-old, although there will still be minor shedding.
Even breeds that aren’t typically known for shedding their coat, such as a Poodle, will still shed the occasional hair. This is the same as us humans!
After your puppy is 4-5 months old, their shedding will be more consistent throughout their life.
There will likely never be a point where you don’t notice your dog shedding, except right after a complete de-shedding treatment, if your dog has fur and not hair.
Occasionally, your puppy may not start to shed heavily until they reach 9-10 months of age. Some of this has to do with the changing seasons, since the twice a year blowing of coat is affected by daylight.
Depending on when your puppy was born, as well as their individual genetics, you shouldn’t worry if you haven’t seen too much shedding until 9-10 months of age.
The shedding will come – and it won’t stop – so enjoy this time of minimal shedding!
Dogs with hair, such as Poodles and Maltese, tend to continually grow their hair with minimal shedding. Dogs that have fur, such as Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies, will always be shedding as they replace old pieces of fur with new ones.