By Royal Canin Scientific Communications

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Many toy breed dogs have unique hair coats. From the Maltese, whose coat is mainly primary hair that grows constantly, to the Pekingese, who has a very dense undercoat and "fuzzy" appearance, there is quite a variation in coat type among toy breeds.

One characteristic that is common to all of the toy breeds is the need for the proper nutrition to maintain these special coats. Hair growth requires a large percentage of the dog's total protein intake. It's not only the total amount of dietary protein that's important, but the protein must also be very high quality, because their bodies require the appropriate amino acids for optimal coat appearance.

In addition to protein, other nutrients can enhance the coat's quality. To bring out the coat's softness and sheen, it's important to supply fatty acids and zinc. Biotin, a B vitamin, is integral in normal coat turnover. Certain nutrients such as tyrosine and copper can even intensify coat color!

From structure to color, high quality nutrition is essential for health of the coat. A diet with the proper amino acid content, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals is the foundation for a beautiful coat for the toy breed dog.