Clumps of hair...No bald spots though

[BoogerRed]

Hello again from Germany. We're having issues with Axel here now that the weather is turning cold. When we pet him we're getting clumps of hair off of him. He's not getting any bald spots yet but we're wondering what in the world is going on. We're following the trainer's diet and his coat is nice and shiny. Just losing mounds of hair. Do I need to make a vet appointment?

I've seen alot of info here about possible problems with diet. I'm hoping that isn't the problem. Any ideas or input would be appreciated.

[Marcino]

My dog went through a similar thing about a couple of months ago... he was shedding so much, we had to vacume our apparment everyday. This lasterd aproximately 3 weeks... then it stopped. I heard this breed sheds twice a year and I am figuring since the condition curbed... that was probably one of the shedding periods.

I am no expert on dogs as this is my first... but I wouldn't worry too much... keep grooming Axel regularily... if the condition does not improve in a couple of weeks... definately consult your vet.

[observer]

I'm not a big expert here either, but based on my limited experience, I think Marcino is right. There seems to be a couple of times a year when they just blow coat, or undercoat, like mad, and then it slows down to a more normal pace again. What I sweep up off the tile floor makes me glad I don't have much carpet!

Give it a little more time, and if his coat still looks good and he feels good, and the shedding slows down, you may be OK.

[StephanieandToby]

It sounds like your dog is blowing it's coat...they do it usually a couple times per year...if you grab some fur, you should be able to grab a clump off him...
get a good brush and a plastic bag to put the fur in...and start brushing!

[tmatty]

Another thing you could check; is a fecal sample. Take a fecal sample to your vet and check for paracites. It's simple, inexpensive, and easy to fix. At least rule out paracites before you do any diet changes. Where we go hiking and camping in the summer months, tends to have giardia in the streams and river and although the dogs very seldom show signs of giardia, an excessively shedding coat is one sign of infestation. Other paracites will also cause this.

[ak moose]

just wondering, how old is your dog? does he scratch himself way more than usual? are you feeling any bumps on his skin? or any red spots if he is scratching himself often?

the bumps will be noticeable, the red spots (hotspots) may not be.

My dog has hair loss but no bald spots and the above mentioned issues. turned out to be a parasite called demodex which I am treating him for now

Nothing like giving him a bath, having to leave him wet only to see him run and roll on my bed soaking wet