Reasons for Hair Loss in Shelties

Shelties, or the Shetland sheepdog, are known for their physical likenesses to the collie. This breed of dog is known for herding cattle and being a potentially ideal family pet. The sheltie is usually known for its high energy and intellect, though as with any breed, there are certain health issues that tend to arise within this breed. Not all shelties develop ailments that cause them to lose fur or hair, but it's not unheard of for some shelties to do so. It's important to know what causes hair loss problems so that you can try to prevent or at least treat your pet correctly if it has a hair-loss-causing disorder or condition.

  1. Hypothyroidism

    • A sheltie with low thyroid hormone levels might have issues with thinning fur. The thyroid is responsible for the metabolism in an animal. Shelties with low thyroid hormones, otherwise known as hypothyroidism, are likely to suffer from fur loss. As the metabolism slows, the dog's body is less likely to process food and nutrients. This can lead to weight gain, fur loss and energy loss. Because of the fur loss, the dog usually becomes intolerable to cool or cold weather and might suffer from additional symptoms because of harsh weather conditions.

    Dermatomyositis

    • Dermatomyositis, otherwise known as DM, is a hereditary disease that some shelties carry. Not all carriers will display symptoms, but those that do will lose fur in patches. Usually the loss of hair is followed by a sore, which develops a crust or a scab. These sores can spread all over the dog's body. With each new sore comes more hair loss. This condition should be taken seriously as it can become seriously infected and might cause the dog to develop other ailments or infections.

    Nutrition

    • The food that you feed your dog is very important, and that goes for any breed. Like humans, dogs need a certain amount of nutrients, such as protein and fiber. Many dog foods, especially those that you find in many grocery or chain retail stores, contain corn as one of their main ingredients. Corn is filler in dog food. A dog's body does not process corn well, so few nutrients are gained from this type of food. If corn is among one of the first three ingredients of your dog's food, you should consider switching to another brand. Malnutrition can cause a dog to have a dull or thin coat, as well as tooth decay and a variety of other problems that can occur from dog to dog.

    Weather and Age

    • Weather or age can also play a role when it comes to hair loss in shelties. As shelties generally have a thick coat, they are expected to shed substantially more in warmer months than in those that are cooler. Age is also a determining factor. Shelties, as with all dogs, can become more fragile in their older years. They might experience coat thinning along with a wide variety of other issues that can arise once an animal begins to age. Keep your pet well fed, clean and up-to-date on vaccinations to help prevent potential problems that can show up in older dogs.