Some people say that the Shetland is a smaller version of the Scottish Shepherd. The Shetland is one size smaller than the Scottish Shepherd, but its body shape and appearance are very similar. Shetland is cheerful and intelligent, and her body is covered with long, thick hair. Of course, Shetland sheds regularly every year. However, as an owner, do you know when the Shetland Sheepdog will shed its hair? How should you care for the Shetland Sheepdog during the hair loss process?

Shetland Sheepdog

During the growth process of Shetland dogs from puppies to adults, the hair shedding phenomenon will occur. What is shed is the fetal hair. Shetland dogs usually start to shed their hair when they are 3 months old, and when they are 6 or 7 months old, they will lose their hair. The lanugo hair has fallen off one after another, and the entire process of replacement has basically ended at 12 months of age. By 24 months of age, the number and thickness of skin hair have reached its peak.

In addition to lanugo hair change, there are also seasonal hair changes in spring and autumn. Generally, seasonal hair change lasts for about 25 days, and "growth type" hair change lasts for 2 to 4 months. If it is caused by skin disease, it is necessary to Depending on how long it takes to recover, with proper care, a strong dog can fully recover and be as thick as ever in as little as 2 weeks.

During the shelt period of spring and autumn, Shetland dogs do not need any special nutritional supplements, just a normal diet. Just comb the dog more often than usual so that the hair that has fallen off the skin can be combed out smoothly. If not cleaned in time, the fallen hair will stick to other hair, forming knots or hair balls. In addition, diligent grooming will also promote blood circulation and make the newly grown coat healthier and shiny. You should also take your dog to bask in the sun every day. Ultraviolet rays can promote hair growth in dogs.

During the shedding period, the first step is to strengthen daily dog ​​care. For example, comb Shetland's hair at least twice a day to promptly remove dust and dirt from the hair, and remove the hair that has fallen off but is still attached to the dog's body. If possible, you can give Shetland a proper body massage. This can promote blood circulation in the dog's body and make the quality of the new hair more shiny and tough.

The growth of dog hair requires sufficient protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to maintain it. Therefore, diet is also very important during the Shetland Sheepdog’s hair shedding process. It is important to prepare some high-protein food. Be careful not to give your dog food that is highly irritating and contains a lot of salt during the molting period (of course, don’t give it to your dog casually in normal times).