Can Coat Change Begin As Early As 5 Months???

[Carol and Banjo]

I began to notice a narrow "stripe" of shorter, coarser fur on Banjo's back about 6-7 weeks ago.  That "stripe" has now widened out to almost half way down the sides of his body.  His legs and head are still puppy soft (very fluffy).   Is this typical??   I do get hair in the brush when I brush him (several times a week) but really don't find any fur in his sleeping area or on the floors.    From what I've been reading in the various posts, it sounds like this is a bit early to see changes in his coat.   I sure am going to miss the puppy fluff!!!!!   Especially on his goofy little head!

[Adina P]

Rosco got that coarse stripe around this time too--probably began sooner.

[Sandra Griffith]

I had the same thing occur with my puppy Aylah. It started with the same stripe down the back and then progressed to her neck and down her sides. It is now about 3/4 of the way down her sides and looks almost as though I gave her a haircut to look like this. Her tail neck and most of her sides are now adult coat at 71/2 months. I was also surprised at this as I had read that this didn't usually occur until they were older.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned began the coat change at least by 6 months. He began by matting behind and on his ears. You could track the progress of his change by where he matted. On him the back was last and no matting happened there. What did happen was coarser darker hairs began growing in. He is not as soft as he used to be and he still mats but not as badly.

[BG and Gavin]

Same thing happened with Gavin. I think his coat is mixed hair/fleece. At 10 months the stripe has began to soften out again. He does not have any matting problems and I get fur in the brush. I can live with a little shedding and a coat not quite as soft if it is lower maintance; especially after hearing the matting nightmares that people have gone through.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My second doodle mats very little, however he does shed. Way way easier to groom!!!!!!