Hair of the Dog Couture

Dear Dog Lady,

In all the books I read about greyhounds and whippets, and from all the Internet sites where all-knowing folk wax wise about shedding, the general advice seemed to be that the above mentioned breeds do not molt. Before I acquired my whippet Dottie, I thought my Hoover/washing/carpet bills would be cheaper and I would be spared hairballs in my mouth first thing in the morning.

Why do these people insist these breeds do not molt? My whippet sheds so much my black clothes are slowing turning a grayish color and people at work must think I sleep in the dog’s bed at night. Do you know of any anti-molt pills she can take or any other remedies to stop this hairy fiend?

P.S. I love my dog very much and would never give her away. She’s the most beautiful girl anyone could ever have the pleasure of owning. The hair is just a small setback.

Hayley, London, UK

Hayley, your letter with its lovely post-script seems indicative of all the dog keepers who wake up choking on canine mane. Dog Lady greatly admires those who love a dog who sheds too much because such devotion seems very inconvenient and messy. As you describe it, your stylish black ensembles are becoming hair of the dog couture. Your co-workers wonder why Hayley has become the gray lady.

Methinks you doth protest too much about Internet know-it-alls. Your research methodology is flawed. When Dog Lady did a simple Google search for “whippet shedding,” she came up with gobs of dog hair. Basically, all evidence shows whippets (and greyhounds) shed and molt. The best you can do is rubdown Dottie with a damp cloth to remove excess hair, brush her weekly and bathe her occasionally to stem the hair loss. Also, an Omega 3 supplement from fish oil might help, although Dog Lady suggests you consult your veterinarian before you administer.

Posted by Dog Lady at April 12, 2006 03:12 PM