If you’re ever thinking of getting a dog, there are a few factors to consider first. How big will they be, their temperament, their physical requirements, and of course, their hair. It is a well-known fact that different breeds of dogs have different lengths of hair. This can determine how much and how often they shed.
Most breeders and trainers will advise not to pick a dog based on its outer appearance. However, it’s really important to know how long a dog’s hair can get. So, are you wondering how to tell if a puppy will have long hair? There are some signs to look out for. You can trace their family line and look at the parents. Early signs of fluffiness and feathering will indicate how long their hair will get.
How To Tell If a Puppy Will Have Long Hair
Certain individuals prefer their dogs to have shorter hair, while others prefer dogs that have longer coats. But the thing with puppies is that you cannot tell simply by looking since their coat is not developed properly when they are still young. Moreover, certain breeds can come in both long and short hair.
So, if you are a prospective dog owner looking to own a furry friend, knowing how to tell if a puppy will have long hair can be beneficial.
- Check For Signs Of Fluffiness
Okay, so, are you thinking of getting a puppy? Do you have a specific requirement in mind regarding the length of their hair? If so, you need not worry. It’s really easy to tell whether or not your puppy will grow up to have long or short hair. One of the first things you can do is make a note of whether their coat is fluffy or not.
Checking a puppy’s coat is generally a good way to check whether or not their hair will grow long. Dogs who grow up to have longer hair will usually have a fluffy coat when they are puppies. You will also notice that along with fluffiness, they will also be more furry compared to their siblings, who might have shorter coats.
- Checking The Ears and Tail
Two of the most common areas on a dog that can tell you whether or not they’ll grow up to have long hair are the ears and the tail. It’s not difficult to check these areas as you’ll easily notice it right away.
Despite being puppies, you will notice that the dogs who grow up to have longer hair will have feathering or longer strands of hair growing from their ears and their tails. This is a common indicator. So, if you are wondering how to tell if a puppy will have long hair, check these areas first.
- Get To Know The Breed
One of the easiest ways to tell whether or not the puppy you’re interested in is going to have short or long hair is by ascertaining the breed. If you’re getting the puppy from a reputed breeder, they’ll give you all the information that is necessary about their history. This includes the qualities and physical features of the parents.
There are some breeds that have long hair. This includes breeds such as the Siberian Husky, Poodles, Samoyeds, and even the cute Pomeranian. So, if your puppy’s parents are any one of these, there are higher chances that they’ll grow up to have longer hair. If these breeds got bred with other short-haired dogs, then the breeder can also tell you which genes will show as they mature.
Sometimes, people tend to adopt puppies from shelters. These are situations where the dog’s history and ancestry might not be known. In such cases, it’s always a good idea to make a trip to the vet and do a test to find out the lineage. This can help you get a clue of whether or not the dog you’re planning to adopt will have longer or shorter hair.
- The Parents
If you want to know how to tell if a puppy will have long hair, you can start by taking a look at the parents. If both the parents are dogs that have long hair, then the puppy will also grow to have long hair, just like the parents.
However, if one parent is short-haired and the other is long-haired, it is still possible for the puppy to grow up to become a long-haired dog. You just need to keep an eye out for the signs such as fluffiness, feathering, and furriness.
- A Simple DNA Test
This method will require you to spend some money, but the results cannot be challenged. DNA tests are the most efficient way of finding out what traits your puppy has. This includes things such as temperament, energy levels, alertness, and even the hair.
DNA tests can tell you whether or not your puppy is carrying long-haired genes. Remember that in order for a puppy to grow to become a long-haired dog, it will require two long-haired recessive genes. The only way to obtain this information is by taking your puppy to any testing site where they offer dog DNA testing.
When Can You Check For The Visual Signs?
When we say visual signs, we mean owners need to look for certain physical traits such as fluffiness and furriness, especially in the ears, hind legs, and even the tail. But wait, newborn puppies will not show these signs right away. They need some time for their coats to develop, even as puppies. Only when they reach a certain age, their coat can tell you whether or not you will have a long or short-haired dog.
You will need to wait a few weeks, or a few months or so if you really want to be sure. It is not possible to guess or ascertain whether or not puppies will have long or short hair when they are still young. Many experts are divided on this matter, but the common opinion is that, by eight weeks, you will be able to tell whether or not your puppy will grow up to have long or short hair.
However, the general idea and rule is that the older the puppy is, the easier it becomes to guess what length of hair they will have. So, if you really want to know how to tell if a puppy will have long hair, wait at least eight weeks. This is the perfect age where puppies start developing their coat, thus making it easier to tell how long their hair will become over time.
Does The Type Of Coat Matter?
If you think that the type of coat is a criterion for telling how long their hair will become, then think again! Dogs come in two types of coat- single and double. The simple answer to the question of whether or not the type of coat matters is a no.
The type of coat can determine how fluffy your dog’s hair is going to be, not how long. Double coat simply means that when your puppy matures, it will develop an additional coat underneath. This inner coat is shorter and provides warmth during cold months.
A single coat means your puppy will not develop the inner coat. Thus the coat might appear thin but not necessarily short. There are many single-coat dogs that grow up to have longer hair.
This clearly indicates that the type of coat does not matter when it comes to determining the length of the hair. Both single and double coat dogs can grow up to have long hair.
When Does The Change Take Place?
By now, you know what signs to look for and when. But, when do puppies shed their puppy coat and develop the adult coat? Adult coat simply means their permanent hair, which can either be long or short. The answer to this question depends largely on the breed of the dog.
Your puppy’s hair will start changing as it grows. This means the smooth texture will also get replaced by a rougher one. But when does this happen?
Typically, regardless of breed, eight weeks is a safe time period to notice the changes. However, most breeds of dogs will start developing their adult hair once they reach the four to five-month mark. However, there are exceptions as well.
Certain breeds develop their adult hair as early as even two months old. Other breeds can develop their adult hair as late as two years.
If your puppies were born in a litter, it comes easier to tell. The ones that will grow up to have longer hair will generally have fluffier and fuller hair as compared to their other siblings, who might have shorter and smoother hair in the key areas- ears, tails, and legs.
Conclusion
Appearance should not play a huge factor when deciding to get a dog. But sometimes, it becomes unavoidable. This is because short-haired dogs are easier to groom, clean, and maintain than long-haired dogs. This means more effort, more time, and more expenses.
So, if you really want to know how to tell if a puppy will have long hair or not, consider following the suggestions we provided. They’re easy to follow and will be able to assist you in telling how long or short the puppy’s hair will be.
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years myself, I’ve tried an abundance of different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
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If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
