First, a brief note on anatomy. Hairs are appendages of the epidermis and have a characteristic growth cycle. In dogs, hairs are not arranged in isolation, and several hairs often grow from the same hair follicle. There are in fact several types of hair, and the precise combination of these determines the nature of the coat. The density of the coat is not uniform across the entire body. The hair is thick along the back, while it is much sparser on the sternum, the belly, the inner thighs and around the ears. When there is an abnormality in hair growth, these less well-covered areas are the first to show symptoms of infection.

Dr Cinzia Cortelezzi, a veterinary surgeon from Milan, explains: "Moulting is a physiological phenomenon that, under natural conditions, occurs twice a year. Moulting is closely linked to hair growth and the arrest of its development — two phases whose determining factors are not fully understood, but in which the number of daylight hours appears to play an essential role. In dogs there are two periods of hair growth: one in spring and one in autumn."

Two moults a year

The spring moult ends with the formation of a short, relatively sparse coat: the summer coat. The autumn moult allows the winter coat to grow, which is thicker and longer. Some dogs shed their hair slowly over an extended period, while for others this phase is limited to a few weeks. In the first case, one has the impression that the dog is shedding almost continuously, whereas in the second case the hairs fall out in whole tufts. Furthermore, moults in a dog do not always happen in the same way throughout its life, and the conditions in which it lives have a great influence on how this physiological phenomenon unfolds. A dog that lives in a flat with winter central heating will therefore have different and more prolonged moulting periods. What should you do during these periods? Frequent brushing is the order of the day, but there are also some groomers who prefer to replace the daily brush with a refreshing weekly bath, especially when the season permits. How do you choose the right brush? First and foremost, it is important to observe whether your dog has long, medium, curly or short hair. Every coat has its own specific brush, and every dog its own particular grooming routine. And, the first few times, the advice of a vet or groomer will prove truly indispensable.

Watch out for the perianal glands

The perianal glands in dogs are located on either side of the anus and their job is to secrete a liquid — more or less thick — whose fundamental purpose is to "mark" territory. During the moulting period, the perianal glands often become irritated and produce a range of problems ranging from itching to pain, from scratching to a general state of lethargy. An excellent remedy in such cases comes from homoeopathy. Arnica Montana in CH5 dilution — 3–4 times a day, 3 granules dissolved in a little water and then administered directly into the mouth — can help our four-legged friends get through the discomfort.