The latest trend seems to be dogs that don't shed.  While some dogs do shed considerably less than others, all dogs shed hair.  It is part of the natural growth cycle of each hair.  There are 3 phases to hair growth:

  1. Anagen: the active growth cycle of the hair follicle, length of time in this phase is dependant on breed type and other factors.

  2. Catagen: temporary phase where growth has stopped.

  3. Telogen: in this phase, the hair is considered dead and ready to be removed from the follicle in order for new hair to grow.  When it is released may depends on heredity, nutrition, environment, etc. 
Dogs who are labled "non-shedding" have a much slower rate of growth in the initial phase, thus shedding far less hairs.  Also, these dogs need to be groomed more regularly to avoid painful matting, during which much of the dead hair is removed by bathing and brushing. 

Shedding is a year round event, though can be more intense seasonally.  Especially in springtime when the changing temperature and increased sunlight trigger a dog to shed its insulating layer of undercoat in preparation for warmer weather.  Since dogs are a part of our families now, they are treated to heated houses and consistent lighting, therefore shedding much of the year but at a more consistent pace.

So how do you combat the tumbleweeds come April?  Brush your dog regularly.  Now that it is warm outside, it's a great bonding experience to bask in the sunlight and brush and comb your furry friend. 
  • Short coated breeds: Labs, Beagles, Pugs; should be brushed at least 2 times a week, possibly more.  Remember these are the coat types that have a fast turnover, so you'll frequently be cleaning up dead hair if you are not actively removing it from the dog. 
  • Medium coats: Goldens, Aussies, Cavaliers; should be brushed 3+ times a week, paying special attention to thick areas around the chest, neck, hips, and rear.  Be sure to finish off with a thorough combout.
  • Long coats: Bichons, Lhasas, Yorkies; should be brushed every day and if kept up may take only 10-15 minutes, pay special attention to high friction areas like the armpits, collar area, and behind the ears.  Finish up with a full body combout to ensure you didn't miss anything and to help prevent matts from forming. 
  • Double coats: Huskies, Akitas, Poms; these dogs have thick undercoats that may require some extra elbow grease come spring.  Because their coat is so thick, dead coat gets trapped and is not shed out even though it has detached from the follicle and a new hair is beginning to grow.  If left untreated these breeds can become overheated due to the extra insulation and can also lead to severe matting.  
Each breed and coat type requires particular brushes, as well as some dog's particular coat responds better to some brushes vs. others.  Instead of buying expensive brushes again and again, only to find they do not work on your baby, stop in, we are more than happy to assist you in finding the brush combo that works best for your individual pet.  Once we have your pets needs met, we will give you a brief tutorial on how to use those brushes effectively.  We offer this service free with the purchase of either the massaging bath, or full styling package.  Lastly, it is essential that you finish off every brushing session with a sturdy comb.  This tool prevents future matts from forming by reaching all the way to the pet's skin, instead of brushing over the top of problem areas and making the top coat look well groomed, while underneath is a plethora of problems.  We hope this article has shed some light on your situation and made it easier to tackle the task at hand.  Enjoy your spring pet cleaning! 

Please end us pictures of your at home grooming adventures as we are hoping to post a section on pets and their parents in the near future!