Interesting Dog Coat Facts You May Not Have Known

How did you pick your puppy or dog? What was the first thing about them that caught your attention? I won’t lie, I picked out mine because of their appearance. Both had some pretty awesome, unique coats that caught my eye. A dog’s coat is something just as unique as their personality or breed.

Check out these cool facts about dog coats!

1. A dog’s coat changes throughout the year. In the cooler months going into winter, their fur thickens to help keep them warm. Then they turn around and shed more when the weather starts to warm up. However, they NEVER quit shedding.
2. Wonder why your Husky or Alaskan Malamute won’t leave the snowbank? They were made for the cold! Literally, coated with an amazingly thick coat to keep them warm. This is also why these guys require more brushing.
3. Some dogs have no hair at all! Or just enough for personality, like the Chinese Crested or American Hairless Terrier.
4. You can tell a lot about the health status of a dog just by looking at their coat. Full and shiny means great nutrition and upkeep. Dull, flakey, or patchy can mean underlying medical conditions like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s Disease.
5. Like curls? Maybe this is why you can find a doodle-something in almost every breed these days. Want the originals? Poodles and Bichon Frises are where it’s at!

6. Good nutrition including all the right amino acids and regular bathing will bring out a dog with a coat that is ready for the runway. Adding fish oil can help too.

7. All the small terrier breeds seem to have a wire-haired coat, and it is absolutely adorable! Maybe it helped the little guys run down holes after varmints… Thoughts?
8. Dogs with high maintenance coats include most of the toy breeds, poodles, and Afghans. If you are looking into these breeds, be prepared to see a groomer often and preparing them for the groomer by always touching their face.
9. How about the short and smooth coats? Greyhounds definitely flaunt this coat, and they do it well.
10. Crazy for spots, like me? German Shorthair Pointers, Heelers, and Dalmations may catch your eye.

11. Silver labs are beautiful, but ensure both parents have healthy skin. This specific color of the coat is prone to allergies and alopecia. Beauty comes with a heck of a price for veterinary visits with these dogs, unfortunately.

12. Did you know that they say Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic? And they don’t shed! However, they still need to see a groomer. People who really want a dog but are allergic usually go for this breed.
13. In the clinic, certain coats like that of a Pit Bull usually leave me with hives on my skin. I find them to be a beautiful breed, but many times their coat leaves me itchy and with hives! They have a short coarse coat.

Did you learn anything new and interesting about our canine companions? Share this article with another dog lover that you know so they can learn something, too.