Lab shedding pattern

Question
My black lab is 9 years old and is blowing his coat. My concern is that practically all of the shedding is coming from the rear portion of the dog near and around the base of his tail. Is this normal or should I seek medical treatment?

Answer
If the shed is different than it's been in the past, it might be worth checking out with the vet.  Normal sheds are typically all over the body.  Older labs can have problems with their thyroid which could be the problem, as a symptom of thyroid issues can be hair loss.  

If you haven't done so since your dog has become a senior, it might be a good idea to take him in for a complete blood work up and include the thyroid test.  It's just a good thing to head off any problems that might happen as the dog ages.  It's recommended you do the complete blood work test about every 2 years to make sure he stays healthy.