Puppy hair!!!!!
 

My puppy's black hair is turning silver.

The problem is that the still-remaining black hair more toward the ends now is the worst stuff in the world. I don't even know how to describe it but to say it is totally impossible - It is thin and appears to be matted. There is no way I can get a comb or brush through it without my pup screaming ....won't even try!

I cut this terrible black hair off his tummy a few weeks ago, and the new almost white (albiet short) hair seems soft and doesn't appear to matte --so far.

I am cutting the remaining black hair off as new hair grows in. The newer silver hair seems to be better. The newer hair probably won't be the best hair in the world either, but it certainly is nicer and more manageable than the black that is growing out.

His new silver hair may be a mixture of black and silver, but all the roots look white to me right now. I am not sure about this. (The hair I have been describing is on his back, sides, and belly --- not his face or legs).

Has anyone ever seen anything like this before? Has anyone ever had to resort to almost shaving their dog (or at least cutting off puppy hair) - to get a new and better coat of hair?

Thanks for any replies. Carol Jean

PS: With my pup's coat as short as it is - he does look presentable and is a very cute little guy - I don't care what color he ends up being.

As I said earlier, you will need to have patience with his hair color. It will continue changing for a long time. I imagine that you will eventually have a darker gray at the roots. Then you will have darker gray roots, then the silver, and at the end of the hair will be the black. :D

How old is he? He should be changing from puppy to adult coat. This is normal. He sounds like he will just be one of the lighter ones and coat should be silky when this is all over with. It is best to take mats out, if you want to keep it long (for in the future) to use a detangler (conditioner and water mixture) spray on mat then pull hair apart with your fingers. Then you can bath him and add a teaspoon of mineral oil to his rinse water and then give a final rinse with clean water. And blow dry. As long as you condition/oil it well you should not get any mats until around the 5th day after his bath. Best of luck. For a pet - it is really just a lot easier to keep them in a puppy or schnouzer (spell?) cut. :animal36
T.

Thanks for your replies.

I do understand (and have gotten a lot of information from all of you) about coats changing colors. Nevertheless, it is still confusing as far as what they will eventually end up being. I have no doubt, he will be a lighter Yorkie, and that's fine. And, I rather enjoy watching his coat change colors almost daily.....

I meant this post to be more about the texture of his coat. It does make sense to me that there might be a puppy coat and then another coat that comes on later. My pup is about 15 weeks old.

I have done my share of dematting - I had a PooPom and now have a Bichon who both require a great deal of care. I just can't see taking on the mattes in this little guy's hair at his young age. It is much easier at this point to keep him short and not put him through daily torture. Combing and brushing seem to hurt him a lot (he is the biggest boob!!!!). And, he is getting a weekly bath and a lot of other grooming - nails, haircutting, ears trimmed, etc. - that he is very "reasonably" good about.

Also - I think trying to dematte him with what appears to be terrible baby hair may make him hate being groomed the rest of his life. I do think the new hair coming in will be easier to manage ---and better for both of us.

We are in no hurry to grow long hair - he is only a little puppy. Never say never --but I plan to always keep in a puppy cut or at least a modified puppy cut.

Thanks for your replies so far.

Carol Jean

I'd be willing to bet that when the next change occurs with the darker roots that his coat will be silky. You've got awhile to wait yet, but you'll have to let me know if it is when that happens. :D

YorkieUSA - Thank you for your hopeful message. Wouldn't I be the lucky one if he does end up with a manageable silky coat. I had sort of given up because several people said that it sounds like he has a cottony coat.

I really only want whichever type of coat is easiest to manage ---more so for him than for me.

Thanks again!

Carol Jean