Dog Rubbing Fur Off Chest?

[kelpiecuddles]

I have noticed that Josie is rubbing the fur off the deep part of her chest where she lies on it, it's not itchy or inflamed, I'm certain it just a side affect of her breed being deep chested and heavy combined with how she prefers to sleep.

She has a lovely cushy bed to sleep on so she's not sleeping on anything hard, any other suggestions of how to reduce it? It just looks like the same way babies that sleep on their back rub the hair off the back of their head.

[ari.g]

Any pictures? Nelsson has a big/deep chest but doesn't have any bald spots. Does she have thin hair there anyway?

Edited February 7, 2014 by ari.g

[kelpiecuddles]

She's white there so I doubt it would show very well in photos. She does have naturally thin hair on her underside but there is an obvious patch developing, this is the first time it's happened and she's 5 year old so a bit odd...

[Erny]

Unusual to experience hair loss in that spot. A photo would assist, but one of my first thoughts was the possibility of a thyroid issue. One of the symptoms of thyroiditis is poor hair growth. If her hair growth is retarded, this could be the reason why she is exhibiting a bald spot where her chest touches the ground when laying. Thinning of the hair from under the neck through to the chest is a common area affected in these cases.

Does she exhibit any other health issues, such as skin condition/s, dull coat, inexplicable weight gain, to mention only a few?

Edited February 7, 2014 by Erny

[Scottsmum]

A friend has a wolfhound with the same problem. He often wears a soft shirt (kids flannel PJ top) to help reduce hair loss.

[kelpiecuddles]

Thanks Erny, no other symptoms at all. She visits the vet regularly for a manicure and the vet always comments how wonderfully healthy she is :)