Now as pet parents, what can we do? Your dog's coat is a complicated thing but here, we've come up with a list of the things you can do and provide that will help give your dog a fabulous coat.

A HEALTHY DIET

Have you ever wondered why sometimes your dog’s coat is fabulous and sometimes it's not? One of the main reasons for this is your dog's diet. A fabulous coat means your dog is getting all the nutrients he needs. If your pup's coat is looking a little lack-luster, make sure you are giving him the vitamins and high-quality diet he needs to support skin and coat health. Always provide food that is jam-packed with minerals, vitamins, and nutrients.

BRUSH, BRUSH, BRUSH

Though some might not find it necessary (especially for owners with short-haired dogs), brushing your dog's coat is actually very important. Brushing removes dead skin and hair, stimulates hair follicles to increase the production of natural oils for the skin and coat.

BATHING IS IMPORTANT

The trick with bathing your dog is not to do it too often so as not to strip the essential oils from their skin. How often depends on a number of factors; 1) your dog's fur and coat type; 2) coat length and; 3) how dirty or smelly he already is. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your dog once a month, but some dogs may need it more frequently than others.

Here are things to keep in mind:

• There are dogs who naturally have oily coats (e.g. Basset Hounds). These dog breeds require bathing once a week.
• Some dogs, like the Golden Retrievers, have water-repellent coats, and therefore need fewer bath times to be able to preserve their coat's natural oils.
• Dogs with double coats, like the Malamutes & Samoyeds, need fewer baths but a lot of brushing to get rid of dead skin and loose hairs.