What exactly is a moulting period?

Moulting was an important part of the life of the wild ancestors of our dogs. Since these animals lived outdoors, a thicker winter coat was essential to survive during the colder months, while a lighter coat during the summer kept the animals from overheating while hunting. 

The shedding process is influenced by two external factors namely natural light and temperature. In our domestic dog, distinct moulting periods (in the spring and autumn) are seen especially in dogs kept mainly outdoors or in breeds with a double coat such as Alaska-Malamute, border collie, chow chow, Siberian husky, New Foundlander, German shepherd, golden retriever, labrador,...
The shedding period can last 3 to 4 weeks.

What is my dog is shedding hair year-round?

Short- or smooth-haired dogs (German Shepherd, Dalmatian, etc.) do not have a real moult period. They lose their hair all year round. 
Since most dogs are indoors most of the day, they are far less exposed to temperature changes (and amount of natural light). With most dogs we see that they actually shed hair throughout the year plus 2 periods (in spring and autumn) where they shed a little extra. 

How can I support my dog during the moulting period?

As a dog owner, you want to support your dog as much as possible and that includes certainly the moulting period. There are some simple things you can do to help your dog’s moult go smoothly. First of all, by combining good, quality food with food supplements such as Olly & Molly Fur’fect, you can provide extra support for your dog’s skin and coat. It is also important to brush your dog’s coat regularly during the moulting periods. Brushing helps to remove loose hairs easily and stimulates the moulting process. However, always use an appropriate brush for your dog’s coat type.

What about bald spots?

When a dog suddenly sheds its hair in an extreme way or when bald patches can be seen, there is usually something wrong and a visit to the vet is recommended. Bald spots can be a sign of an underlying disease, an infection, the presence of parasites or fungus, the result of an allergic reaction and very occasionally it is just not clear where the baldness comes from and then we speak of an idiopathic baldness.