When Do Puppies Get Their Adult Coat   

Your puppy may be a ball of furry fun right now, but dogs do not keep their puppy coat for long. What attracted you to your pooch as a tiny tot may be gone in a few months. Some dogs do end up growing that same furry coat that they had as a puppy, but most often, the fur is not as soft and downy. 

The average puppy will get their adult coat when they are about six months old. However, it can happen as soon as four months or as late as eight months. Different breeds shed their puppy coat sooner than others, but six months is the average length of time that puppies keep their puppy fur. 

Whether you get a furry Pomeranian or a short-coated Doberman, they always start out with a downy coat. The Doberman may not look like a little ball of fluff, but their coat will be longer and softer than an adult coat. Some breeds may vary, so let’s talk about a variety of breeds and how soon they get their adult coats. 

Dog Coats May Be Hair or Fur

Some dogs have fur while others have hair, and there is a difference. Pet hair is just like human hair, and those breeds with hair do not shed as much. For example, a Poodle has hair, which is why they are generally considered to be hypoallergenic. In fact, there are over 35 dog breeds that are considered to have hair instead of fur. Some of these include:

• Afghan Hound
• Basenji
• Bichon Frise
• Bolognese
• Chinese Crested
• Coton de Tulear
• Havanese
• Maltese
• Poodle
• Saluki
• Schnauzer
• Shih Tzu
• Yorkshire Terrier

What Breeds Take the Longest to Shed Their Puppy Coat?

All dog breeds are born with a single coat of soft and fluffy fur that helps them regulate their body temperature. Eventually, though, every puppy sheds that fluff for their normal adult coat to grow in. Although some dogs may shed sooner or later than others, the average dog breed sheds that puppy fur at about six months of age. 

The adult coat is typically thicker and stiffer than their puppy fur. And many have a double coat, with a thick coat under longer hair. Some dog breeds change color during this phase, or they may even look scruffy as their coat grows in different areas at different rates. 

The Pomeranian is one of the breeds that are known to keep their fluffy puppy coat longer than others. In fact, they can take up to two years to get their adult coat. This is not common for most dogs, but it is what makes the Pomeranian such a popular breed. For those who like that cuddly puppy look, the Pomeranian is the best choice. But just remember, they will eventually grow an adult coat. 

Is There a Dog Breed That Stays Furry?

As stated above, the Pomeranians can keep their furry coat for up to two years. But even after they get their adult coat, they still look fluffy and furry. Others that have this same characteristic include:

• American Eskimo
• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Bichon Frise
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Chow Chow
• Collie
• Coton de Tulear
• Great Pyrenees
• Eurasier
• Havanese
• Keeshond
• Leonberger
• Malamute
• Pekingese
• Samoyed
• Sheepdog
• Tibetan Mastiff
• Toy Poodle

How to Take Care of the Puppy Coat

As your puppy’s coat changes, regular grooming is important. Not only is it important to their coat and skin, but it helps you bond with your puppy and teaches them to become comfortable with being brushed and groomed. If you do not get your puppy used to being handled in that manner, you are in for a fight when it comes time to start the real grooming with their adult coat. 

How to Take Care of the Adult Coat

Different dog breeds need different types of grooming. For example, a Shih Tzu may not shed, but their coat requires brushing at least once or twice a week. A Doberman, on the other hand, can go for over a week without being brushed. Depending on your dog’s breed, you may need to use a special brush. 

There are several different brushes for dogs that meet the needs of different types of coats.

Bristle Brush

The bristle brush is good for smooth and short-coated dogs that shed a lot. The natural bristles are packed tightly together to remove excess hair. This type of brush also stimulates the skin and circulation. Some of the breeds that can benefit from a bristle brush are:

• Boston Terrier
• Italian Greyhound
• Jack Russel Terrier
• Pug

Undercoat Rakes

These are designed for dogs with thick coats and dogs with tangles or thick undercoats. They are shaped like a razor and need to be used with care so you do not hurt your dog. These brushes have one or two rows of closely spaced pins similar to a shedding blade. Find a brush that has pins to match your dog’s coat. The types of dog that benefit the most from a rake include:

• Chow Chow
• German Shepherd
• Husky
• Malamute

Shedding Blade or Slicker Brush

Slicker brushes are for dogs with medium to long hair or curly hair. They have very fine and short wires set close together on a flat head to remove mats. You have to be gentle when using these brushes because they can cause pain if you use too much pressure. Some of the dog breeds that need slicker brushes are:

• Cocker Spaniel
• Golden Retriever
• Saint Bernard
• Yorkshire Terrier

Wire-Pin Brush

The wire pin brush is similar to a human hairbrush. It is typically oval and has a set of flexible wires with rubber or plastic pins to keep from hurting your dog. These are the most common type of brush for dogs and are best for getting loose hair from your dog’s coat. However, it is the least useful and is often only used as a finishing brush after grooming. 

Are There Any Breeds That Do Not Shed?

Those dog breeds with hair instead of coats do not shed as much. They will still lose hair here and there, just like a human, but it is not that furry coat fur that you can see in bunches on your furniture, clothes, and carpet. Some of the breeds that are not known to shed much include:

• Afghan Hound
• Bichon Frise
• Border Terrier
• Brussels Griffon
• Cairn Terrier
• Chinese Crested
• Havanese
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Kerry Blue Terrier
• Maltese Terrier
• Poodle
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Schnauzer
• Scottish Terrier
• Shih Tzu
• Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Tibetan Terrier
• West Highland White Terrier

Things to Watch Out For

If your dog is shedding more than usual or has other symptoms that worry you, it is best to take your pup to see the veterinarian. There are many skin problems that can cause excess shedding, like alopecia or bacterial infections. Here are some of the warning signs of skin problems and hair loss issues:

• Bare patches of skin 
• Losing large patches of hair or fur
• Red or inflamed skin
• Scaly or oily skin spots
• Scratching more than usual

As an example my golden retriever had a “Hot Spot” develop on his back, this was possibly caused by sap or something he had got on him during a walk. We noticed some puss within his fur and that the fur was dropping out easily. After consulting with the vet he was given some anti-bacterial cream and the fur has no fully grown back.

If you see any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a vet as the smallest bacterial infection can develop into something a lot worse without the correct treatment. Like our dog’s problem, with the right cream, it can heal within a couple of weeks.

Keep Your Dog Clean and Groomed

Whether your pup still has its puppy coat or has already grown an adult coat, it is important to take care of your dog’s coat by brushing it regularly and bathing them when needed. Some dogs may only need to be bathed when they get dirty, while others may need to be bathed every week. It depends on the breed and your dog’s activity.

if you tend to take your dog out to free run around in the mud and swim about in the water, then grooming is extra important. Cleaning your dog after a walk can be a difficult task and so we have created an article that should give you some tips on “How to Clean Your Dog After A Walk”. Dogs that have active sessions in the mud and water will develop mats and be susceptible to skin problems if not adequately dried, check out this article for the best ways to dry a dog.

For example, if you have a dog that goes out and rolls in the dirt every time they go outside, they will need to be bathed more often than one that only goes out to do their business and rushes back inside. It is always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about how often to bathe and brush your pup and what shampoo and brush to use to keep your dog’s coat looking beautiful.

Conclusion

So it seems there are many factors affecting when your dog will get their adult coat, most importantly their breed. Of course, I’m sure whatever age this happens you will still love them the same as when they were a pup. If you enjoyed this post then check out our homepage for more interesting topics all about dogs, the outdoors, and how much fun it is to have a companion like a dog.