![]() Breeds such as German Shepherds, Airedales and Rottweilers have only half as many follicles but have twice as many under-hairs sprouting from each follicle.Breeds such as smooth-haired terriers and toy poodles have numerous follicles that produce plentiful guard hairs and fewer under-hairs.The warmer-weather coat usually has shorter, thicker hairs with fewer secondary hairs, allowing air to move more easily through the coat, facilitating cooling.īecause the size, shape, and length of hair are controlled by genetics, different breeds have different coat characteristics: The cold-weather coat of many dogs is long and fine, trapping air between the secondary hairs to conserve heat. Each follicle has a central or guard hair, which is long, thick and stiff, and three to fifteen secondary or under-hairs, which are tiny tufts of hair that provide insulation and softness. In some breeds hair is shed regularly or, in non-shedding breeds, is constantly growing.ĭogs are born with simple hair follicles that develop into compound hair follicles which produce several different types of hair. Dog skin conditions dog itchy skin dog skin allergiesįor most dogs, much of the skin is covered with hair. In dogs, skin appendages that grow out of the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin, include the hair follicles, oil and sweat glands and the claws. The skin has a complex structure of three major layers and multiple types of cells, each with specialised functions. Secreting substances that lubricate and act as pheromones, which allow other dogs to recognise it.Regulating temperature changes in the body.Enabling the perception of heat, cold, pressure, vibration and pain.Protecting against invasion of micro-organisms and toxins.Preventing damage to the underlying structures.The skin and coat have many important functions, including: Most of the dog’s external layer of skin is covered with a coat of hair, and together the skin and coat provide an effective barrier against the environment. The skin is the largest and most extensive organ of the body, comprising 12 to 24% of a dog’s weight, depending on its species, size and age. Treatment for hair coat and skin conditions in dogs.Diagnosis of hair coat and skin conditions in dogs.Causes of hair coat and skin conditions in dogs.Symptoms of hair coat and skin conditions in dogs.An A to Z of many of the more common conditions.While they can cause considerable pain and discomfort, most hair and skin conditions are treatable, and the dog will usually make a full recovery.Ĭontinue reading below to learn more about dog skin and hair coat conditions including: Symptoms relating to and skin and hair conditions in dogs are very broad, but commonly include localised or extensive itching, dryness, redness, sores, scaling, shedding and hair loss, as well as behaviours such as excessive licking and scratching. Inflammation, parasitic-, bacterial-, fungal- and yeast-infections, abnormal immune reactions, hormonal and metabolic disorders and hereditary conditions can all adversely affect the dog’s skin and coat. There are around 160 different skin conditions that a dog can suffer from, many of which are very common and some of which are lifelong. Medications, nutritional deficiencies, stress and various other contributing factors can also affect the health of the dog’s hair and skin. Significantly, the condition of the dog’s skin and coat can be a good indicator of his overall health and can even be an early sign of an underlying systemic disease (one that affects other parts of the body or the entire body). The dog’s skin and hair coat are very important as they protect the dog by forming a barrier between the body and the external environment.
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