A puppy’s soft and fluffy coat is irresistible! Below, learn more about
when a puppy coat sheds into adult fur.
Your Puppy’s Coat
Depending on their breed, puppies will typically begin to lose their soft and fluffy puppy coat (sometimes referred to as “blowing”) between 4 to 6 months although some breeds may start as early as 12 weeks. Other breeds may not transition fully to their adult coats until they are one year old.
Some canine breeds may even change their coat color (or features) when their puppy coat sheds. For example, Dalmatians are born without spots but their adult coat will grow in with their traditional spots.
But what is the difference between a puppy’s first coat and his adult coat?
Puppy Coat vs Adult Coat
To better regulate their body temperature at an early age, puppies have a single, thinner coat of soft, fluffy fur. Once the puppy coat sheds, a thicker (and stiffer) adult coat will grow in.
The AKC advises if you see a puppy coat
“coming off in patches, revealing red, inflamed or scaly skin, call your veterinarian.”
K9 breeds with double coats will grow two layers of adult fur, with a shorter undercoat and a longer outer coat. Dog breeds with single coats will shed their puppy coat and grow a distinctive adult coat; some short and curly and while others are long and silky.
Supporting the Transition to an Adult Dog Coat
Work with your veterinarian to feed your puppy a complete and well-balanced diet to support his new coat with the proper building blocks of protein, vitamins and nutrients. Also, give your shedding puppy plenty of fresh, clean water because “dehydration can cause hair loss,” advises Dr. Jerry Klein, DVM.
Regular grooming and brushing (at a minimum, every week) is another essential piece of transitioning your puppy’s first coat to his adult coat. Proper grooming/brushing will ensure:
- The healthy growth of adult fur.
- The proper shedding of the puppy coat; and
- The pup’s coat remains free of tangles, knots or matting.
Ask your groomer or veterinarian which dog brush is appropriate for your puppy’s type of coat. Start early with gently handling and brushing your puppy; you (and your groomer) will be happy you did when your dog is full-grown and strong!
Doodle Coats: Puppy to Adult
- Doodle puppies commonly shed and grow in their adult coat between 9 and 12 months although it can happen between 6 and 14 months.
- A doodle’s adult coat may also:
- Change texture and color (becoming lighter or darker).
- Become less or more curly or wiry.
- Change the rate of shedding (every dog sheds to some extent, even doodles; most commonly with the first-cross breeding; multi-generational doodles will typically shed less).
By understanding how your breed moves from their puppy coat to adult fur,
you can support your puppy’s transition for a healthier, new adult coat!
Unsure of what to do? Speak with your breeder, veterinarian
or trusted groomer for more answers!
ARKANSAS BEAR CREEK
GOLDENS AND DOODLES
Puppies Available!
Standard Poodle
F1 Goldendoodles
Mini F1 Aussiedoodle
We are a small family breeder located in the heart of the Ozarks in northern Arkansas. We strive to raise healthy, happy, well-socialized, quality Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Mini Labradoodle, and Aussiedoodle puppies.
All our puppies come with a health guarantee for their first 12 months of age.
Please text or call us at 870-404-0127 or 870-404-1189 or use our Contact Form here for more information about upcoming litters.
