Dogs in northern climates need their warm winter coats when the temperatures drop to the freezing mark and below. The density and luster of their topcoat and undercoat makes a significant difference in how your dog will enjoy and survive the winter. A Dog's coat is responsible for protecting him, maintaining body temperature while also serving as the outward manifestation of the dog's inner health.

           The northern breeds are going to have much more dense, rich-looking coats, thus they are inherently more capable of defending themselves from winter chill. But even if the Labrador or Husky spends a lot of time indoors in the early part of the winter they will not build the kind of topcoat and undercoat needed to stay warm during harsh weather. They need the cold to stimulate hair growth.

Domestic dog's coats vary dramatically from their wolf ancestors. There are so many different hair textures and environmental influences that will cause coat variations. Short haired, or close-coated dogs, like Boxers or German Shorthairs are not able to keep themselves warm without help from their human friend. Wirehaired breeds are well adapted to the cold because they have a high number of "guard" hairs to protect and insulate them from cold. Longhaired dogs obviously have an advantage in inclement weather.

           Taking into account the many variations of texture, layers, lengths and density of coat, a dog's hair growth is cyclic. There are periods where it is actively growing, then a stage of transition, followed by a resting phase. The heavy periods of shedding usually occur during the spring when the heavier winter coat is not needed, and again in the fall when the shorter summer hair must be replaced with the thicker, warmer winter coat. During the winter, the topcoat and most of the soft undercoat hair is in its resting phase so that the dog is well protected. Many things can affect this natural cycle of hair growth, resting, and replacement such as: ambient temperature, hours of daylight, hormones, diet, breeding/genetics, stress, thyroid imbalance, and pituitary gland problems.

           If your dog's coat is looking and feeling particularly dry, patchy, thin or scruffy, please consult your holistic veterinarian to be sure there are no thyroid, pituitary, dietary or hormone issues that need conventional medical attention. If your dog's coat seems to lack the luster you want to see in him, or the density that will protect him, or you just want to give him a winter "tune-up," use the acupressure treatment below.

        The acupressure points identified in this chart will enhance your dog's ability to protect him from cold and keep him healthy during the winter. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter is the time when Yang energy must be conserved and used to keep the body warm. We must pay special attention to keep the Kidney Meridian balanced so that Kidney Chi stays strong and flowing evenly during this season. The Lung Meridian controls body hair and the surface of the body, which serves to protect your dog from external pathogens such as cold, wind, and wet from entering his body. Now you can take your dog out for a brisk walk or frolic in the snow.