Thinning hair help!

[Dana]

Hi everyone! I’m a new member to Doodle Kisses and have some concerns about my 13 month old Goldendoodle. Starting at 10 months he started to shed like crazy! In the last 3 months his plush leg hair has been disappearing and he’s left with hair that’s maybe 1/2 inch long. It’s disappearing from the front of his legs and thinning at the back and feet. His hair is still very thick on his neck, chest, head and tail. I’ll attach some photos of Blue. He is an intact male, 13 months old. His diet hasn’t changed. He eats Fromm large breed puppy food. No change in appetite or behaviour. Just last Friday I started him on Dr.Maggies skin and coat as suggested by a friend. 

9D2FC2C4-A6CC-40B7-B5B9-19EE77187922.jpeg

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would have the vet look him over and talk to the vet about doing some blood work to check his endocrine system. 
No other physical changes? Energy levels still the same? Increase or decrease in water consumption? 

[Dana]

He is still very high energy and drinking like normal. Another question: could hormone levels affect coat/skin? I mentioned earlier that he isn’t neutered (a choice we made after researching the affects on growth). He does not hump anything. Doesn’t seem to have any desire to. Is that normal? Could his testosterone be off and causing this? These are things I’ll obviously bring up to the vet when we go too.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, hormone levels definitely affect coat and skin. Most diseases and disorders that involve hair loss are diseases of the endocrine system, which does include hormones. And not just sex hormones. This might involve hormones, but probably not testosterone. Possibly the thyroid or pituitary glands. But there's no point in guessing. 

[Dana]

I hear ya. Thanks for taking time to chat. Hopefully I’ll have some answers soon. 

[Kate C Pappas]

Hi Dana: Have you contacted his breeder and asked about litter mates etc and especially his parents. They might be able to give you some input.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have yet to hear of a single doodle breeder who has ever admitted to an owner that yes, we've seen X in one of our dogs. Even when several owners had the same issue.
I think it might be best to wait until the vet gives an opinion or diagnosis before contacting the breeder, though, so at least the particular issue can be named, rather than just saying he has thinning hair/hair loss on his legs. That's going to elicit responses about food and supplements, and folk remedies, often. 

[Kate C Pappas]

While I agree, I would still make some sort of inquiry.

[Dana]

I haven’t yet and I’m still not really sure what to ask. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think that since the vet doesn;t feel there is really anything wrong or any specific condition other than dry skin, there is no point talking to the breeder about it. 

[Dana]

Yes I agree