Beagle Dog
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Beagle Shedding
Overview
All dog breeds shed. However, it is true that some do not appear to shed. Why? Because the degree of shedding varies gretaly depending on the breed.
The Beagle is a has moderate shedding.. However, some owners will notice a lot and some will notice a minimum. Why? The amount of fur that sheds will depend on the growth rate of the fur. The growth rate of the dog's fur depends on:
The Beagle is a has moderate shedding.. However, some owners will notice a lot and some will notice a minimum. Why? The amount of fur that sheds will depend on the growth rate of the fur. The growth rate of the dog's fur depends on:
- Genetics
- Nutrition
- Environment
What Shedding Is
Shedding is the process by which old
fur naturally falls out and new fur begins to grow in its place. The
new fur does not "push out" the old hair. Since growth and loss
is a continual cycle, there is no true starting point. It is a never ending cycle. There will be months when the process slows down & months when the process is sped up; however it never truly stops.
How the Beagle Breed Sheds
The Beagle is a medium coat dog. The Beagle is classified as a modicum coat dog because this dog breed has 2 coats of hair. There is:
- The undercoat which is very soft
- The outer coat which is coarse
Beagle may also tend to shed a bit more in the autumn, right before day time light becomes very short.
How to Control Beagle Shedding
It may seem obvious...the best way to control shedding is to brush your dog often. There is no magic cure and there are not any dog supplements that will decrease shedding. This is a natural process of dogs and can be minimized with daily brushings.
For normal grooming to brush your dog in regard to hygiene, a fine toothed comb & medium bristled brush works best. However, for shedding, it is recommended to use a dog brush glove. This slips over your hand and allows you to easily reach all areas of the dog's body. Loose fur is easily caught onto this type of brush. Therefore, you can use this dog brush to remove the shedding fur before it reaches your sofa, carpeting or other.
Tip: The more often you brush your dog, the less shedding there will be. If you brush your Beagle each day, you will hardly notice any shedding at all. Other Reasons for Beagle Fur Loss
There are skin conditions and health issues which can cause fur loss in a dog. This may appear to be shedding in some cases...and in others it will be obvious that there is a problem.
Acantosis Nigricans
This is a medical condition that is rare; however can occur. This can cause a fur loss due to hormonal imbalances, hypersensitivities or friction. Testing will be done by a veterinarian to determine the exact cause. Treatment may include steroids and/or vitamin E supplements.
Allergic Dermatitis
This is the term that applies when a dog losses fur due to a contact allergy. This means an element that comes into contact with the Beagle. The most common culprits are dog shampoo and rug cleaner.
Aside from fur loss there may be red blisters, sores or lesions on the skin as well. This can be corrected once it is determined what is causing the dog's reaction. A veterinarian should perform patch testing to find the cause and then the owner must eliminate that element. In moderate to severe cases, antihistamines and/or steroids may be prescribed to help the Beagle recover.
Alopecia
This is a health issue that is still being studied, as the cause is unknown. Currently, it is theorized that it may be an autoimmune disorder. It comes quickly and then leaves quickly. In the meantime, it causes patches (sometimes large) of very thin fur and sometimes the fur falls out right down to the dog's skin. There is no itching and no discomfort.
Dermatomyositis
This is a rare disorder in which the fur loss on the Beagle actually occurs due to a negative reaction to sunlight or UV rays. This condition can be confirmed with a small skin biopsy. Not only will the coat thin, the dog's skin will be affected also. There may be scabs, sores, redness and irritation. If this is diagnosed, the dog must be kept out of the sun as much as possible. The medication Prednisone may be given in small doses initially, and then treatment is followed by vitamin E.
Food and Flea Allergies
Fur loss due to food or flea allergies is reversible and can be quickly diagnosed. An owner should always bring their dog to the veterinarian when any unexplained fur loss occurs; however in these cases it will be treatment at home that resolves the issue. Only in very severe cases, will a veterinarian prescribe steroids for severe swelling, or antihistamines if the dog cannot breath well... as the dog's owner works on making changes in the home environment.
Flea allergies are fixed by ridding both the dog and home of all fleas with topical solutions and foggers. Food allergies are usually treated by strict diet restrictions to determine the exact ingredient that the dog is allergic to .
Hypothyroidism
This condition happens when the thyroid begins to slow down and produce a smaller amount of hormones. Before fur loss occurs, the coat may become very dry and hair may break off easily. The under active thyroid may also cause a Beagle to gain weight and grow weak. This can be diagnosed when the veterinarian runs thyroid tests. Treatment will be medication, often needed for the rest of the dog's life. Recovery is a progressive process; in most cases the Beagle will make a full recovery.
More Fur Information
Details of every fur issue that can affect a dog's coat... Photos of every color Beagle in the world...Direct, Personal Advice For FREE...For LIFE...26 Beagle Behavior Chapters...40 Beagle Health Chapters...Be sure to check out what is inside the Beagle downloadable e-book, click here.
