Hair loss in your dog may or may not be a problem. The good thing about these breeds is that they usually only shed once or twice a year, depending on climate and whether or not they are spayed or neutered. All dogs shed to a certain degree. If your dog is like mine, you might be dealing with piles of hair around the house.

The massive shedding that occurs in these breeds is called "blowing coat". The blowing of the coat usually takes from one to three weeks. Regular (daily) brushing and warm baths help the process. Intact females of most breeds will blow their coat. Piles and piles of hair can be obtained from a brushing session. Some breeds, however, are much worse than others. Typically dogs with thick fur and an undercoat shed the most.

If your dog is excessively itchy, has noticeable bugs in the fur or skin, or has sores on the skin, call your veterinarian immediately.

The tufts of hair stuck to the couch are particularly worrisome, especially when friends come over wearing their black pants. This article is a guideline to help you determine whether or not your dog's hair loss is normal.

Examples of such dogs are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds, to name a few.