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A dog’s coat is a vital barometer of his well-being. Unlike their human counterparts, our canine friends’ coats cover not just their heads, but their entire bodies. Their skin and coat are what separates their entire anatomy from the outside world. A caress, a scratch, a petting gesture, a friendly nuzzle or threatening bite, even the invasion of uninvited parasites, are all experienced through their skin and coat. It is what allows a dog to touch and be touched. It is his window on the world. If all is right with his coat, all is right with him. Veterinarians and dog professionals can attest to the fact that a dog’s coat can be a useful barometer of his or her well being. If the coat looks unduly rough or the skin overly flaky, it is a strong sign that something is wrong with that dog. If a dog’s coat and skin problems are left to worsen, the dog’s quality of life is depleted. Dog Coat Types Whether your dog is an Afghan Hound, a Boston Terrier, a Brittany, or Giant Schnauzer, it possesses a basic canine bone and muscle structure. All dogs are members of the canine species. But since the beginning of time, man has been developing specific characteristics of the domestic dog through controlled breeding. There are at present 172 American Kennel Club recognized breeds. That doesn’t include mixed breeds, some foreign breeds, rare breeds, and so-called designer dogs (for example the Labradoodle.) Each breed is unique in its purpose, look, temperament, and, certainly, coat. Moreover, different dogs within the same breed may well show different skin conditions, live in different climates, have different lifestyles (outdoor vs. indoor), and clearly be of different ages and genders. In general most dogs fell into the following categories: Heavy-Coated:
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