We have an 9 week old Rotty girl who has a woolly coat which is getting a little shinier.  He litter sisters were all the same.  Her mum was very glossy and in good condition.  She was reared on raw and I am continuing to feed this way.  The reason I question it, is because most rotty pups I see at my training club have glossy coats.  She is a little itchy too with a small amount of dandruff.  I thought maybe adding some oil would help.  She is totally fabulous - I just had to tell everyone that by the way. ))

The baby coat is fluffy/woolly, it doesn't get the shiny guard coat until over 12 weeks for my breed.

In mine you first see a spot of black shiny hair on the top of their tails and then a bit on their backs.

I see, just thought she was a little different as looking on the internet at very young rotty pups, they have glossy coats - I dont mind atall as she is lovely and her coat can be whatever it will be. I just thought maybe it could be diet related/lacking in something??
Thanks for your reply.

my rott boy was very fluffy when I got him and for quite a few weeks and from recall, nearly half the litter were like this.  He now has a lovely sleek but very dense coat with some slight waving above his tail but it is minimal. 

> I just thought maybe it could be diet related/lacking in something??
>

If they were reared in kennels it could be that the feeding didn't quite suit them too, so a combination of a fluffy undercoat (some Rotts have more than others) and a not so good stat in life.

They were born and reared in the home with an experienced Rotty owner who also rescues and fosters them (my pup being one of them).  Saying that, we all have our own ideas on the perfect diet! I suppose at only 9 weeks old alot can be done to improve it, actually think she is shinier in just one week living here so hopefully a good natural diet should sort it out. This is my first rotty so havent got any experience with what is correct with coat, just comparing to others I have seen.

> just comparing to others I have seen.

but what age have the others been?

As I have said the shiny coat doesn't appear in my double coated bred until after 9 months, but of course the coat before is healthy and scurf free.

compared to puppies in Rotty books and the internet with breeders advertising 7/8 week old pups (similar age to mine) and the ones that come into our training club around 12 weeks old. 
I think I will just see what happens as I do think its better than when I first got her. 

ps Brainless - bit confused as you say 12 weeks and then 9 months for the shiney coat???

Sorry it is the damn numbers being other way around on the computer pad than on a telephone pad, always substituting 9 and 3, duh.

Good coat comes from the inside out. I would feed them fish in oil, if they will eat it, it will work. In my opinion fish is a very good healthy diet for all dogs. Also very reasonable.

Denese

I always feed pilchards in tomato sauce weekly to my dogs - they love it!