Losing puppy fluff and other stories

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Losing puppy fluff and other stories

Posted : 6/15/2006 5:36:30 PM

Other stories being some idiot telling me today that my KC registered pedigree black lab MUST be part border collie because he has a narrower face than the typical English lab. Ben has been bred from lines carrying the American lab "type" so he is not so chunky, more athletic looking. I love the way he looks and prefer the chunkiness in chocolate labs, for some reason. Buuuut anyway. Nothing suggests he is part border collie. [sm=rolleyes.gif]

Anyhoo, back to the original point of this post. What age is "normal" for him to lose his fluffiness? I vaccuumed and mopped the floors yesterday and found a ton of little black hairs, and when I brushed and wiped him down today I found some more. Now if I run my hand from his neck along his back to his tail, I can feel a patch that feels much more like a typical lab, still smooth but coarser, not that fluffy puppy softness. Ben just turned 10 weeks, is this about the age it starts, or should I mention it when I see the vet on Monday?

Thanks,
Kate

labcrab

Posted : 6/16/2006 1:44:58 PM

haha! You're going to hear alot more than than I'm afraid. For some reason, people feel totally within their right to comment on everything from the breed, to the way you're walking him... I've found that owning a dog, has opened me up to a whole new world of crazy - that simply did not exist when it was just me!!! In my case, I've had people say with utter conviction that Slick is part Rottie, part Newfie and part CHOW (he has a black spot on his tongue). Ben is absolutely an gorgeous specimen and looks to be just perfect Lab!

As for the fluff - I was so sad to see it go. For Slick, by 4 months his entire back and tail were "big dog" fur (the thicker, glossier hair you're describing). By 6 months, he was all dog fur, no more puppy fluff.

The other thing to consider is that Ben is quite likely blowing coat right now. That would account for an increase in fluff around the house.

Benedict

Posted : 6/16/2006 8:10:54 PM

lab - I think it's actually a combination of blowing his coat and coming into his adult coat - either way, we're living a furry life over here! I am vaccuuming every day lol.

Ben and I both say thank you for the compliment. I think he is pretty gorgeous myself. [

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I've found that owning a dog, has opened me up to a whole new world of crazy

Hahaha so true!

I think I'll be sad to see his puppy fluff all gone, too. I thought I had another little while of softness before this happened, but he'll develop at the rate he's supposed to, I can't change that. Lots of soft fluffy snuggles now while I can get them, though!

Thanks for the reply, I was just a bit surprised, it's happening a little earlier than I expected.

Kate