Golden Rules

One of my Golden Retrievers Duncan is now about 12 months old. When I got him at 6 months old, his coat wasn't the best, never washed, he was malnourished, he was losing hair from stress through being in the pound etc....... A couple of months later, his coat started looking so much better, thicker, healthier and was growing...... Now - his coat is very coarse, dry and has thin patches everywhere on his main body. He is losing hair as though he is moulting (but I don't think he is actually moulting). I was expecting his coat to only get thicker, longer and healthier as he grew out of puppyhood. He did have an allergy to something a couple of months ago but I restricted his diet (mainly cut out beef) and his scratching and biting seems to have disappeared. So, any suggestions as to what might be causing this? Worms maybe? I don't think it's diet related as he is on a good diet of chicken frames, Coprice, lamb bones and has kelp, zinc, and fish oil supplements. He gets an egg and some sardines about once a week. Hoping someone can offer some suggestions as I fear his condition whatever that may be, will affect more than just his coat in the long run. TIA

I use one on my bigger goldie, he has so much hair! It does strip the undercoat and you can be left with bald patches if you go over one spot too often. I only use it in summer 'cause he gets so hot.

My 10 month old Golden only does the destructive things like ripping up the reticulation when I'm HOME! He is an anxious pup and we are working on that (he was a rescue) but the 3 year old is non destructive so I know it will pass! Phew! I stuff kongs and marrow bones are very popular. When we walk in the mornings I let them sniff as much as they like which means I don't get as much exercise but they get the mental stimulation and it sure does make a difference!