What happens when a dog doesn’t shed

This is Ginger, a 14-year-old apricot toy Poodle found in a deplorable condition in an apartment in Denton, Texas.

Unlike her wolf ancestors with a short coat that sheds regularly and moults seasonally, because of a long ago genetic mutation, Poodle hair is curly and grows until it is cut. Like humans shedding hair, the Poodle also sheds, but the dead hair is caught by the curly living hair. Without regular trimming, serious issues can result, including poop-related rear end problems which you probably don't want to hear about.

Although they may not trigger allergies in most people, Poodles are high maintenance. Through the centuries humans have styled Poodles in all sorts of topiary designs which Poodles have not seemed to mind. They love the attention. Any Poodle who fought being groomed would not have been allowed to breed.

 

Ginger is undergoing a makeover. Hair that was growing into her mouth was connected to her ears and her feet.

Because she couldn’t drink through her own hair, she was dehydrated. It has been impossible to remove all the hair from her teeth until she is strong enough to undergo anesthesia to treat infections.

 

The good news is that she had no liver or kidney problems and is in loving hands at the The Humane Society of Flower Mound. According to one worker, when Ginger was groomed, she was excited, “sniffing and greeting everyone. It was like a bird out of a cage.”

The story

Comments

[Sherry in MT]

I've gone in to the shelter to help with a number of dogs like this. Just makes me sick that people think it is okay that they do that. Idiots. I actually did a schnauzer that was so bad they had her listed as a poodle. NOT! It is so cool when you finally get all that crap off and the dog acts like you've given them a new life!

[Jen]

Oh my goodness, the poor thing! I'm so glad that she's in good hands now.

[geogia little pea]

I love a good rasta hairdo but that poor dog. Teeth in the mouth and rear end? :( I wonder if she lived most of her 14 years this way.

[Jodi]

Poor little thing. I'm so glad she is being taken care of now. What possesses people?

[Colby]

I've talked to people who were interested in getting a Poodle, but didn't know about the extra grooming that is required.

I'm amazed that people let this happen to their dogs. I'm glad she's in good hands now and I hope she finds a loving home.

[jet]

Yeah, I mean really, why don't people get it? Either a dog moults hair, or it requires regular grooming. One or the other. I think Barbie is the best in terms of low maintenance hair - she has very little of it to shed and it's black so you don't see it on your clothes. Now that it is summer she has a minimal coat and is bald in spots... keeps her cool and that's less hair to get dirty ;)

[Missy@dawsondogs]

Wow, we didn't know that poodles hair got that long. I'm now glad that my hair sheds.

[Kirsten]

Oy. How can you let a dog get to that point? Since becoming a groomer I'm even more aware of why for myself, I prefer short-haired dogs!

[Becky]

It's hard telling which end is the front.

[Sam]

We rescued a poodle out of a busy intersection years ago - at first we thought it was a terribly dirty dachshund, but when I started trimming her we found at the mats had pinned her legs to her body.

Sam

[yellowdoggranny]

heart breaking..and wonderful at the same time.

[maude]

Hmmm, they didn't say anything about the owners and if they will be facing some sort of punishment. Even if they couldn't afford a groomer, a scissors and brushing would have helped. How terrible.

[Linda]

OH! MY HEAVENS!!! String those people up!!!

NOW.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

[Sue]

I will never complain again about the knots in my shedding Pomeranian.

[jersey]

Broken heart.. And beautiful at the same time.

[gray hair]

Great post