Many dog owners want their dogs to have long, luxurious coats, just like their own. Others are trying to get their pets to regrow their hair before a photo shoot or dog show. Regardless of the reason for the need for longer coats, knowing how fast your dog’s hair grows is important information to know.
Table of Contents
Exogen phase
The Exogen phase of dog hair growth occurs during the summer months when your dog is active in growing new hair. The length of this phase varies depending on the breed and climate. When your dog reaches the end of the Telogen stage, it will shed its old hair. However, your dog can have hair in all four phases at one time. If your dog is double-coated, its exogen phase is longer during the summer.
In general, dogs shed hair during the winter and then grow new hair during the summer. In this way, the dog’s coat will not appear unkempt. This period is referred to as the Exogen phase and is a key component in dog grooming. The next stage of the hair growth cycle is the Anagen phase.
-
Time period
The Exogen phase in dogs lasts about two weeks. The duration of the Anagen phase depends on the breed and coat type. The hair follicles in this stage will shed one or two hundred per cent of their hair. The final stage of shedding involves a specific proteolytic step. It is not possible to predict when each dog’s shedding cycle will occur. However, shedding cycles will be different in every dog. Some breeds will experience shedding at a faster rate than others.
Although this process takes several months, it is important to remember that it is continuous and that shedding can be seasonal. Unlike cats, dogs shed hair year-round, but their shedding tends to be at its highest during the spring and fall. This is because their furry coats help regulate body temperature. A coat can keep dogs cool in summer and warm in winter, and it can protect them from the sun. Regular bathing and deshedding can help keep your dog’s coat healthy and clean.
-
Growth
During the Exogen phase, your dog’s hair grows in separate sections of its follicle, separated from the Anagen phase. It is easy to collect loose hairs during this time using a gentle vacuum or a modified pet comb. A modified pet comb will collect loose hairs and place them on a fibreglass filter supported by a plastic grid holder.
In the Anagen phase, a single hair follicle produces two types of hair: a telogen and an anagen. The latter is a resting phase, while the former is the first phase. The telogen hair follicle is the one that sheds the most.
While hair growth is seasonal, it can take as long as six months to grow new hair. If it does, the new hair may be a different colour or texture. In a few months, the dog will start shedding hair again. This process can be stressful for your dog, but the good news is that the hair will regrow in most cases.
-
Telogen phase
After the Anagen phase, your dog will be in the Telogen phase. This is the resting phase, and about 10% of hairs are in this phase at any given time. The shedding phase is normal and happens every two to five months.
Anagen phase
All dogs undergo a cycle of hair growth, but some spend more time in one phase than others. These differences in hair growth cause variations in shedding patterns. The first phase of dog hair growth is known as the Anagen phase, and it is during this phase that new hair is produced. This phase lasts for about six weeks, depending on the breed.
Once your dog reaches this stage, it will begin the shedding process. The next phase is called the Exogen phase, and this is when the hair will fall out. A good way to deal with this phase is to brush your dog regularly, which will keep your house free of clumps. Also, by feeding your dog the right diet, you can make his coat softer.
-
Hair loss
If you notice clumps of hair in certain areas, you can expect your dog to be in the Anagen phase for about seven or eight weeks. If the dog is experiencing a significant loss of hair in any of these areas, it may be a sign of a disorder. Anagen hairs are characterized by their ability to shed, although the mechanism by which they fall out is not yet completely understood. The Anagen phase of a dog’s hair growth is the most active, while the other two are known as the resting or telogen phase.
-
Hair growth
The Anagen phase in the growth of hair is the most common stage, which occurs in a pup or kitten. In adults, hairs are always in the Anagen phase, but sometimes they appear in the telogen phase. A dog’s coat type and breed will determine how long the Anagen phase lasts.
As a result, most dogs shed hair throughout the year. Some dogs shed more than others, and the amount shed depends on the breed and the season. Some dogs spend more time in the Anagen phase than others. However, it is difficult to predict when a dog will enter the Catagen phase.
-
Surgical procedure
After a surgical procedure, hair regrowth occurs spontaneously in some animals. This regrowth period can last from six to twenty-four months. However, it is not permanent, and it may take many years before a dog will regain its normal coat. There are a variety of solutions for these problems, but these methods are expensive and unlikely to restore a dog’s coat to its normal state.
Telogen phase
Human hair growth cycles last five or six years, but the dog’s growth cycle is shorter. It differs by breed, with some breeds having a longer telogen phase than others. This is because the breeds that shed the most have more follicles during the telogen phase, while non-shedding breeds have more hair in the anagen phase.
-
Characterization
The telogen shaft base is characterized by a smooth base edge and a generally globose shape. In addition, the cells contain prominent nuclei and abundant cytoplasm. In contrast, early exogen hair consists of cells with an irregular base edge and sparse cytoplasm. Interestingly, the cells in this phase also exhibit some nuclear shrinkage.
Exogen hair follicles consist of a brush-like keratinized base. The base of the exogen shaft lacks much cytologic detail, including shrunken nuclei and small cytoplasm, indicating an apoptotic process. A further distinguishing feature of exogen hair is the presence of intermediate structures, including the telogen shaft, anagen shaft, and an early exogen shaft.
Read also: Things to Know Before Getting a Husky-Chi Mix Dog