Adult-Onset Hair Loss in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers: A Clinical and Histological Study

In a study involving ten Chesapeake Bay retriever dogs with hair loss, researchers found that the condition was nonpruritic, noninflammatory, and affected the same body regions in both male and female dogs. Hormonal tests indicated increased adrenal and sex steroid concentrations in seven of the dogs. Histological examination showed follicular hyperkeratosis, follicular atrophy, and occasional melanin clumping with malformed hair shafts. The findings suggest that the hair loss observed in these dogs is a breed-specific syndrome, likely with a familial predisposition, characterized by distinct histological abnormalities and abnormal steroid production. The study implies that selective breeding may help reduce the incidence of this condition in Chesapeake Bay retrievers.