Posted by Judy Sandor on May 24, 1998 at 21:12:33:

In Reply to: Hail wont grow posted by Maria on May 13, 1998 at 10:39:48:

> I have a 5 month old puppy but his hair is still very short.
> I don't see is growing out much.
> I try to brush him at least everyother day.
> Any suggestions?

I'm not an expert at this by any definition of the word, however here are some things I have heard from different peke people when I asked about my little one's coat: I was informed that I may have brushed out my little one's undercoat. He looks like he should have a more "stand-off-ish" coat but I thought I was doing the right thing by brushing him thoroughly (from the skin) once a day or every other day. Well guess what-I found out that you should brush from the skin up, but a section at a time and up; not in sweeping strokes like I did. I now brush him more carefully and thoroughly(only where mats may occur). I've brushed him well, maybe twice in the past 3 weeks and all of a sudden he's growing more fur and an undercoat! =} I feel bad because he now loves to be brushed, so I just pet him a lot to make up for it. Another thing which was mentioned to me is that a product called "The Missing Link" might help. It's a natural food supplement and you can find their ads in dog magazines. Lastly, someone told me that a thin or poorly growing coat may be the result of some sort of thyroid problem and that the vet can do bloodwork to test for it and prescribe the proper treatment if necessary. Sorry for the long-winded message; just trying to pass off some of the helpful words that I wish I had heard earlier in my peke's life (as he is now a year and a half and finally growing good fur). I hope I have been of some help to you. If you have any other questions a good places to ask are the members of the PCA, they are a goldmine of help. Good luck with your baby, and take care!