Dog shedding

[fairway2002]

We have a 14 year old lab. We have done Florida at Christmas last 5 years. This year we did not take him. But he is shedding in Jan-Feb. Does this screwup him up? We live in Michigan

[NCC-1701]

I was hoping that maybe it is a sign of an early spring, since we've had such a hard winter, but our 7 YO black lab is starting to blow it's coat already. In addition, our 9 YO Golden is doing the same. This generally does not happen until May and it's happening in both dogs early this year. We also have an 80 pound German Shepherd "puppy", but no sign of shedding in her yet.

The lab does "shed" all year, but blows it's entire coat 2X annually.

[Flapper]

I've seen references that shedding is timed more by the amount of daylight than temperature. But, an indoor dog doesn't really get the natural seasonal variation, so will shed in off cycles, or continuously. My 10yr old Aussie has just started to blow his coat, judging by the sudden increase in hair clumps all over the house. Time to get out the brush!

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Maybe your recent spate of nice weather convinced him it was spring??

[discovery4us]

Our Lab's shedding season is January 1 through December 31:). At 14 years old it could be a sign of something but probable just an earlier start to spring shedding. I would only be concerned if he starts losing patches of fur.

[xteacher]

Labs have a shedding season - lol?!? We had two when our kids were growing up (best dogs EVER!), and they seemed to shed 24/7/365. The Furminator was our best friend!

[fpresto]

Not at all uncommon in Labs.

[ReneeG]

Must not be unusual. We have a 13 year old lab and she's shed throughout the winter. She's been to the vet and is doing well, other than on Ostilox for arthritis, so I get out the shedding comb.

[Crowe]

SIL breeds labs and it's not unusual for one to blow a coat for no apparent reason but definitely heed Pawz's advice and keep your eye on him.

[Pawz4me]

I don't think it's terribly early for spring shedding to start, but it's also (IMO) highly unlikely that having spent previous winters in Florida is affecting his shed cycle this year. There are several medical issues that can cause hair loss, so I'd keep my eyes open for anything else unusual going on.