Coat Maintenance: Keeping Your Hounds Coat Healthy

Greyhounds  have beautiful sleek, smooth coats that are fairly low maintenance, but  that’s not to say they don’t need any care at all!  Thankfully proper  coat maintenance doesn’t need to be complicated.

Greyhounds  have very short, fine coats and like other dog breeds, moulting takes  place at the changes of the season as they response to the warmer and  cooler weathers.  Though there is generally plenty of shedding in  between!

They also have an  additional moulting period, and this takes place when they first retire  into their adoptive homes.  This is where they shed out their fluffy  ‘kennel coat’ and grow in their sleek ‘pet coat’, a process that can  take several weeks depending on how dense their kennel coat is.

Not  all greyhounds go through this coat change, depending on several  factors such as how much time they spent outdoors, their diet, care, and  coat maintenance they received while in their racing kennels as well as  their genetics.  Some of them come out the racing industry as if  they’ve lived in a home for 6 months with gloriously luscious coats,  while others can look utterly bedraggled…then add in things like bald  thigh syndrome, and you get some proper naked chicken legs!

So,  some do need a little extra TLC in terms of coat maintenance in the  initial settling in period but beyond that grooming is minimal.  A  periodic bath when they start to smell a little bit too doggy, a few  gentle brushes with a grooming mitt throughout the week and a proper  weekly brush through with a de-shedding tool like a Furminator, can do  wonders for keeping the furry tumbleweeds around the house to a minimum.

Although  they only have very minimal grooming needs compared to some other  breeds, brushing them can be an enjoyable and bonding experience for the  dog and owner.  Regular brushing doesn’t just help remove loose hair,  it also keeps the coat clear of dirt, and debris, and distributes  natural oils for that lovely healthy shine.

Though  really, a lot of people don’t bother brushing them that frequently and  have perfectly lovely looking hounds!  The periodic bath, with dog  shampoo and a good blow out to dry, can often be ample to clear any  loose coat and keep your hound looking beautiful!  It's all about  tailoring your approach to your individual hound as some moult a great  deal more than others, particularly white, or majority white, coated  hounds!

Depending on your hound,  particularly ones that struggle with Bare Thigh Syndrome, dietary  choices and supplements can make a massive difference to the quality of  your hound’s coat.

Bald Thigh  Syndrome (BTS) is a superficial condition that is not itchy or  inflammatory and doesn’t cause the greyhound any harm.  It is the result  of structural defects within the hair shafts of affected greyhounds  which is associated with the genes and proteins essential for hair shaft  formation…and their subsequent hair growth!  

While  further research is needed to fully assess whether this is as the  result of genetic predisposition, and largely hereditary, many  greyhounds overcome BTS and improve their coat condition overall through  dietary improvement.

There isn’t  a one size fits all solution as every greyhound is different, and some  will forever maintain those slappy patches on their thighs and  underside…most likely due to genetic causes…there are ways you can help.   

So, whether you just want to  minimise shedding, bring about that stunning sleek appearance or grow  back the hair on their slappy patches, listen up!

A  good quality diet is essential.  You want high quality protein sources  to make up as much of the food as possible, as well as having omega-3  fatty acids and all the essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin  E, vitamin A, zinc, and biotin.

Avoid  common allergens and intolerances such as cereals, grains, corn, and  soy, as these can largely manifest as skin and coat issues, rather than  digestive upset.

Though while a  good quality diet is by far the easiest solution, good foods inevitably  come with a higher price tag.  So, the alternative is to supplement your  dog’s existing diet!

Like in  humans, fresh food is brilliant for your dog’s health.  Regularly adding  any of the following do your greyhounds kibble will not only benefit  their coat condition but their health overall:

Fresh meat and fish
Eggs
Liver, Kidney, or other offal
Oats
Green leafy vegetables or other nutrient dense veggies (cooked where appropriate!)

Or if you want to buy powdered or oil supplements, which can be more cost effective in the long run, you can look to:
Omega 3 & 6 Oils
Evening Primrose Oil
Linseed Oil
Biotin
Vitamin E and B
Coconut Oil
Seaweed

Though  while this seems like an easy fix…if you are supplementing a high grain  diet, and your dog is intolerant to certain cereals, there are no  guarantees that any supplementation will improve their coat condition.   Dietary intolerances do not always present in digestive upset but can  quite often show through dry, flaky skin, itchiness and weepy eyes.

Some  greyhounds will just grow their fur back naturally when retired into  domestic life, this may be down to diet change or environment…who knows!   But a good diet and supplementation never hurt anyone, especially if  you want to consider their long-term health!

It  really depends on your individual greyhound.  Some just naturally have  brilliant coats regardless of diet or grooming regime, but even they can  enjoy being brushed and having that one-to-one time with their owner.

Coat  maintenance is an important aspect of caring for your Greyhound,  ensuring they look and feel their best.  By incorporating regular  grooming routines, providing a balanced diet, and considering  supplements to support coat health, you can help your Greyhound maintain  a sleek, shiny coat that reflects their inner vitality and well-being.   Remember to tailor your grooming practices and dietary choices to your  Greyhound's specific needs and individual preferences and consult your  vet if you have any concerns about your dog's coat health or overall  well-being!