Help with my dog
Discussion
Hi all, looking for some help regarding my dog if possible.
Hes a German Shepherd cross Akita (so i've been told) and he is around 1 year old.
Recently his hair has started to fall out in clumps and no matter how often he is brushed it's still the same.
Don't know if this is normal of a dog this age or not but just looking for some closure on the subject.
Any help on the subject would be greatly appreciated.
Hes a German Shepherd cross Akita (so i've been told) and he is around 1 year old.
Recently his hair has started to fall out in clumps and no matter how often he is brushed it's still the same.
Don't know if this is normal of a dog this age or not but just looking for some closure on the subject.
Any help on the subject would be greatly appreciated.
I would say this is normal. Both these breeds are heavy moulters and there hair tends to be clumpy when it falls out.
However it'll be a problem if
Skin is sore or excessively flakey or scaley.
If he seems itchy
New hair is not regrowing under the areas of hair loss.
Coat is in a poor condition generally.
Hair loss can be caused by medical problems so a vet ck if you are concerned would be sensible but with his young age you'd be unlucky.
Oh and check he doesn't have fleas
However it'll be a problem if
Skin is sore or excessively flakey or scaley.
If he seems itchy
New hair is not regrowing under the areas of hair loss.
Coat is in a poor condition generally.
Hair loss can be caused by medical problems so a vet ck if you are concerned would be sensible but with his young age you'd be unlucky.
Oh and check he doesn't have fleas
We have a 6 month old Cocker. What's the relevance you ask? Well, she was our first dog and when we got her at eight weeks old we knew nothing about them but looked for a relevant forum and found Cockers Online ( you have to be careful typing it ) a massive repository of knowledge and friendship. They all love the breed and can't wait to offer help and experience. I would imagine that there is something along the same lines with German Shepherds. Give it a go as every breed is different and experienced owners will be willing to help.
Good luck.:¬)
Good luck.:¬)
Thanks for all the responses! Yes, this is our first dog and we did join a forum relating to the breed when we got him. I'm not using anything just brushing his coat everytime the clumps appear. I've had a look into the ferminator and found one for £17 does that seem like the going price? If it helps then it will be worth it.
I was just worried incase it was an underlying problem that was causing the hair loss but it seems that it must be normal
I was just worried incase it was an underlying problem that was causing the hair loss but it seems that it must be normal
Have a look on ebay, I think we paid less than that (but we got one for the doggies and one for the moggies).
Clumps of fur with a "long" haired hound are just a fact of life. As Bex says, if there are bald patches appearing of the dog is furiously biting itself etc then there may be an underlying problem (can even be something like an allergy to fleas!) so it would be off to the vets, but just a moult, no great shakes. Regular grooming helps.
Clumps of fur with a "long" haired hound are just a fact of life. As Bex says, if there are bald patches appearing of the dog is furiously biting itself etc then there may be an underlying problem (can even be something like an allergy to fleas!) so it would be off to the vets, but just a moult, no great shakes. Regular grooming helps.
We have always had retrievers and when they moult, it tends to be in clumps. I remember as a kid sitting on the floor 'plucking' the dogs. Normally a clump 1/4'' across which sits proud of the fixed hair and can be just lifted out. Once 'plucked' I would brush the fur the wrong way then back the correct way to loosen a load more clumps. They didn't enjoy much, but if you opened the drawer that the brush was in, they would pick it up, bring it to me, put the brush on my lap and roll over in anticipation!
We have always had retrievers and when they moult, it tends to be in clumps. I remember as a kid sitting on the floor 'plucking' the dogs. Normally a clump 1/4'' across which sits proud of the fixed hair and can be just lifted out. Once 'plucked' I would brush the fur the wrong way then back the correct way to loosen a load more clumps. They didn't enjoy much, but if you opened the drawer that the brush was in, they would pick it up, bring it to me, put the brush on my lap and roll over in anticipation!
You may also find its the food you are feeding him.
We have a GR and used to loose massive clumps of fur once he was an adult.
We were feeding him the usual dry food, Bakers Pedigree chum etc and found that this was the cause.
A lot of "retail" foods are heavily bulked with cereal and contain no real goodness at all.
A quick switch to Royal Canin and he has stopped loosing fur, PLUS he gets a lot more from the food as he doesnt poo as much.
And no, i dont work for them
We have a GR and used to loose massive clumps of fur once he was an adult.
We were feeding him the usual dry food, Bakers Pedigree chum etc and found that this was the cause.
A lot of "retail" foods are heavily bulked with cereal and contain no real goodness at all.
A quick switch to Royal Canin and he has stopped loosing fur, PLUS he gets a lot more from the food as he doesnt poo as much.
And no, i dont work for them
Our German Shepherd eats Royal Canin, and over the last 12 years has had all sorts of diets...
Her shedding is extreme and always has been. I have no idea how she grows it back so fast but it clumps just like you've said. After she has been groomed her fur looks and feels very healthy so it seems to be normal!
Her shedding is extreme and always has been. I have no idea how she grows it back so fast but it clumps just like you've said. After she has been groomed her fur looks and feels very healthy so it seems to be normal!
rasputin said:
Our German Shepherd eats Royal Canin, and over the last 12 years has had all sorts of diets...
Her shedding is extreme and always has been. I have no idea how she grows it back so fast but it clumps just like you've said. After she has been groomed her fur looks and feels very healthy so it seems to be normal!
Im sure you may have tried it already but we use "Royal Canin Veterinary Diet for Adult Large Dog (over 25kg)".Her shedding is extreme and always has been. I have no idea how she grows it back so fast but it clumps just like you've said. After she has been groomed her fur looks and feels very healthy so it seems to be normal!
This also should slow down bone growth which will help their joints.
Hi,I have always had Akitas and they are big time shedders,my first one looked just like the camels in the zoo when they moult!the grey underneath is the new coat coming through just give a good daily brush i use a rake comb followed by a furminator and pay particular attention to the neck/throat area as this gets tangled pretty quickly and is a mare to free up Good Luck and happy grooming.
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