Hello all,

I'm doing a project at the moment on grooming and general kennel hygene, and I want to pick your brains.

Do all of you with unspayed bitches find their coats are better in the run up to their season, directly after, or does it make no difference to their cycles?

The build up of hormones must have an affect on their coat, I would have thought that coats would be better just before a season, as a sort of 'glamming up' in case they find a good looking dog, but you all propably know a lot more than me, so please let me have any info.

Many thanks

Ali :) 

In my breed seasons make all the difference in the world to coat ( a typical double coated Spitz breed.) A bitch will start losing her coat around 10 weeks after a season (around the time she would be feeding pups if she's been mated). She will be completely out of coat around 10 weeks before her season & will be nearly, but not quite in full coat when she comes into season. It's my experience that a bitch will look absolutely at her best around this time (so, you enter her for a show  .... and she comes into season!!!!) I think the weather does have some effect on the timing & on how much coat they lose/gain but hormones definately have a big effect. I have seen bitches in season who are nearly bald but not my own - they certainly make the most of what they've got - but they are all shameless hussies :D
HTH

Hi I find my bitches actually lose coat about 6weeks before they come into season then from then on they start to come in to full bloom which usually lasts till about 10 to 12 weeks after their season then wham a blizzard brakes out. HTH Gillian

Mine loses about six weeks before too.  Gillian, do you actually get 'full bloom' for 10 to 12 weeks?  I swear mine only lasts for about four and it is back to losing it again, bet your life there is not a show in that four weeks either :D

Sandra (in the middle of a blizzard at the mo)

In American Cockers a lot of bitches drop coat in  a big way just after the first season.  However, with my breed this is often it, the coat does not come back!  The typical loss is "patterning" on the front legs and loss of tummy/side coat.  This is why soem very promising bitch pups never make it out of Junior class.  No coat!
bye
Gwen

Hi Sandra you made me stop and think with that question but yes they do tend to hang on to their coat well ( will have to see with Fizz :D) Just a thought though we dont have central heating though so wonder if that can have some effect as well.