LM coat question

[nanalander]

A bitch puppy fourteen weeks.

I was just wondering when her coat will repel water, like my other two LM's. My old one has a woolly coat that snow just sits on, and my other one has silky but waterproof fur. this is the first time I have had a 'winter' puppy. Perhaps I should buy a coat? That would be a first!

[munstyman]

Let it develop naturally is my view. Anything that interferes with the natural production and retention of oils ( bathing ) will effect the natural protection of the coat. If the dog has water on the skin which it can not shed by shaking and then starts to shiver then a towelling is really all you need.
I'm not sure of the actual effects, ( ye olde folk lore ) but mine being fed raw, I do feed more oily fish during the winter months which is the only thing I do different with the odd towelling on very wet days. But that is really to save the walls than dry the dog

[nanalander]

Thanks for the reply. I never really worry about the effect of the cold or the wet weather. It was just the cold and wet together on a young dog who still has puppy fur. I am not a molly coddler as such, and would towel dry if I saw shivering. I am glad that it has not been suggested that I buy her a coat! Every other dog I have seen round here today has had a quilted coat on, even labs, poor things.

[munstyman]

With a foot of snow on the ground yesterday mine still went coot chasing in the river Came out shook and then went tabogganing in the snow shortly after we met a Husky thing....with a coat on
I generally find its the older dogs that need the extra attention when it comes to adding a coat, and not the young ones .

[Lynn]

This year is the first time in 35 years of Munster ownership that I have used coats, but then the 2 wearing them are both around 14 years and by their choice are kennelled outside. My last winter litter (the one Cliffe was in) went outside to play from 5 weeks what ever the weather. Try towelling 9 5/6 week old Munster pups - chaos