Prepare for when fur falls, flies and floats

THE NO. 1 COMPLAINT of pet owners is shedding, sometimes aptly referred to as "blowing coat." And while you can reduce the risk of a "fur-nado" with regular brushing and other basic strategies, there's no magic solution to put an end to the hair flying around your home as dogs start to shed their winter coats and new hair comes in.

The dirty little secret about dogs is that they all shed, but some more than others. Double-coated dogs - such as Alaskan malamutes, chow chows, Shetland sheepdogs and Siberian huskies - are the most obvious. Other breeds that can leave your furniture and clothing coated with hair include German shepherds (commonly nicknamed "German shedders"), Labrador retrievers, beagles and pugs.

One of the interesting facts about canine hair loss is that shedding is affected by the type, intensity and duration of light exposure. As the days grow warmer and longer, dogs doff their heavy winter coats and replace them with a lightweight summer version. Shedding season can last for up to two months.

Dogs who spend most of their time indoors are still influenced by the natural light that comes in through windows, but they typically shed small amounts year-round rather than having a seasonal heavy shed. Because these are usually small breeds, they normally wouldn't shed as much fur as a larger dog anyway.

Hormones also affect the amount of hair dogs shed. Females who aren't spayed usually shed twice a year, at the same time they're in heat. Spayed females don't have that periodic surge of hormones, so they develop a full coat that sheds year-round.

First-time owners of thick-coated dogs may think their pet has a skin condition when his fur starts coming out in big clumps. Unless there are bald spots, though, this is normal.

The shedding process is a healthy, natural cycle, but we know that sometimes it can have you pulling out your own hair. We've gathered some tips to help you keep shedding under control, or at least manageable.

*  Brush your dog every day with a rubber curry brush or nubby shedding glove. That allows you to get loose hair out at the time and place of your choosing, preferably outside or in your garage.

*  For a dog with a double coat, purchase an effective undercoat rake and use it regularly to thin the winter coat.

"This allows air to circulate and helps to prevent skin issues and mats," says groomer Barbara Cole Miller of San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

*  Using a slicker brush, start with the hind feet and work your way up to the front of the dog, recommends groomer Julie Ellingson of Sacramento, Calif. Be sure you go all the way through the fur, but be careful not to dig into the skin. Use a metal comb to check for tangles as you go.

*  A warm bath followed by a thorough blow dry can help to loosen outgoing fur. Brush out as much hair as possible while the wet coat still has shampoo in it. Fur will come out more easily when it's lubricated with shampoo, Ellingson says.

*  Outsource defuzzing to a professional groomer, who has the skill and tools to accelerate removal of the winter accumulation of undercoat.

*  If all else fails, put a bodysuit or T-shirt on your dog to help contain the hair, stock up on sticky tape rollers, and remember that it will last only a few weeks.