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Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and depending on the breed, they can grow either short, medium, or long hair. They can grow one or two coats too. What may not be clear is how long it takes for a dog’s hair to grow back after being shaved or lost for some reason. There is no specific length of time for how long any dog’s hair will grow back to full length, but there are guidelines that we will cover in this article.
Why Dog Hair Is Important
Dogs grow hair to protect their skin from the outdoor elements, especially for temperature control. The hair helps to protect from injury to the skin and to express emotional state. Dog hair also protects the skin from being exposed to toxins and parasites. However, if your dog becomes ill, is exposed to an allergen, loses hair, or gets a bad haircut, they will have to wait until it grows back before they are fully protected again.
Hair Regrowth Depends on Many Things
The truth is that hair regrowth in dogs depends on many things, such as their age, breed, and health status. So, while there are estimates of how long it might take for your dog’s hair to grow back, you should consult with a veterinarian to get the most accurate estimate for your specific dog. However, keep in mind that the veterinarian still can’t absolutely guarantee any estimates that they provide you with. In general, hair should have started growing back within 4–6 weeks but will take longer to reach full length.
Understanding a Dog’s Hair Growth Stages
Dogs go through multiple hair growth stages that play a part in dictating how long their hair takes to grow out after it has been lost or shaved. Here is a breakdown of those stages:
- The Anagen Stage: This is when your dog’s hair most actively grows. The hair keeps growing until the length that has been predetermined by breed has been reached. This process can take anywhere from a minuscule 30 days to a whopping full year!
- The Catagen Stage: This is when your dog’s hair stops growing and simply maintains its length. You won’t see any extra growth, and you shouldn’t see much shedding at this point.
- The Telogen Stage: This is when your dog’s hair is in a resting stage, which means that no activity is happening at all. This paves the way for the shedding phase and can make your dog’s coat more vulnerable than during any other stage.
- The Exogen Stage: This is when your dog’s hair starts to shed. This readies the coat for starting the anagen stage again and ensures that there is not already too much old hair still present when the new hair starts to grow in again.
These stages are important to understand because they are what ultimately determine how long it will take for your dog’s hair to grow back. Not all hair follicles will be in the same stage at the same time, and so for a full thick coat to grow back, all of the follicles will need to have had the opportunity to cycle and enter anagen.
How Long It Could Take for Your Dog’s Hair to Grow Back
According to the National Library of Medicine, after being shaved, the average Labrador Retriever grows back their hair to its normal length after 13.6—15.4 weeks. This is just one breed, though, so the time frame could be different for your dog. Generally, you can expect that it will take anywhere from about 30 days to 1 year for your dog’s hair to grow back in. A vet should be able to give you a clearer picture of what to expect from your dog.
You can also consult a vet online if you need quick and easy access to an expert’s opinion.
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Final Thoughts
The amount of time that it takes your dog’s hair to grow back depends on factors such as their breed, their age, and the reason for their lost hair in the first place. Most dogs’ hair will have started growing back within 4 to 6 weeks. Make sure to check with a vet if you’re concerned about how long it is taking your dog to regrow their hair. Take the time to scout out any groomers that you’re considering hiring to cut your dog’s hair. Seeing a vet regularly and offering your dog proper amounts of food, water, and exercise can help ensure that they don’t succumb to health problems that result in lost hair.
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Featured Image Credit: Vasilii Nikitinskii, Shutterstock
