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Do German Shepherds Shed A Lot

Supply Clean And Fresh Drinking Water At All Times

How Often do German Shepherds Shed Hair?

Dehydration can lead to dry skin, which can cause shedding and illness. Make sure your German Shepherd has access to fresh and clean water at all times.

If your German Shepherd is not drinking enough by himself, you can always choose to incorporate moist foods into its diet.

Wet dog food contains up to 78% moisture compared to 10% for dry food. Another way to do this is to add warm water or chicken broth into kibbles.

Gsds Are Loving Companions

These are very social dogs who want to spend time with their humans. The more time your dog gets to spend with you, the happier your companion will be. They may exhibit aloofness with strangers rather than immediately adoring everyone they see, but that only makes their love even more special. Plus, these loyal and dedicated guardians and gentle family pets are willing to put their life on the line to protect their loved ones. And you cant ask for a more loving best friend than that.

Gsds Are Incredibly Smart

If youre a German Shepherd owner, you have a strong suspicion your dog might actually be smarter than you are. After all, what cant your dog do? These dogs are known for their intelligence and many can learn a new behavior in only a few repetitions. In addition, they have a legendary desire to cooperate and work with us, a trait many see as a wish to please their humans. No wonder this breed excels at so many activities and is a top Obedience competitor. Because German Shepherds are one of the brightest breeds, be sure to be consistent, use positive reinforcement-based methods, provide plenty of mentally stimulating toys, and play brain-challenging games.

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What Is A German Shepherds Coat Like

German Shepherds have thick, luxurious, double-layer coats. The fur you see at first glance is the coarse outer coat, which is often the signature black and tan colors.

However, the AKC outlines that German Shepherds can also be white, black, gray, blue, liver, sable, or a variety of bi-color options. These colored outer guard hairs protect your dog from cuts, sunburn, and so on.

Less obvious is their fluffy white inner coat, which is only visible when you part your German Shepherds fur with your hands or a brush. This coat serves as an insulator, growing in thick in the winter to keep your German Shepherd warm and then being replaced by a thinner coat in the summer to provide a natural cooling mechanism.

Historically this was critical since German Shepherds were outside much of the time herding livestock.

Their outer coat is medium to long, and can either be straight or a bit wavy. Most German Shepherds have medium length coats, but theres actually a recessive gene that can cause longer, fluffier hair. In some cases , long-haired German Shepherds have only a single layer coat.

Although the AKC accepts the long-haired variation, its considered a defect but shh, dont tell your extra-floofy German Shepherds that. Hes perfect just the way he is!

How To Identify Abnormal Shedding

Do German Shepherds Shed A Lot? How Much?

If youre experiencing a GSD shedding season for the first time, it can seem abnormal and excessive. Dont worry! Its normal for them to lose tons of hair and fur at this time.

However, keep in mind that normal shedding doesnt produce any bald patches. If your dog is losing hair only in specific areas, or if theyre scratching excessively, you might want to get them checked for any allergic reactions, skin conditions, or other illnesses they might be suffering from.

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Deshedding Once A Week

Deshedding a dog involves removing those loose undercoat hairs using a tool designed to do just that. This will help you get rid of the hair that might otherwise end up on the carpet, furniture, and clothes.

It helps your dog feel comfortable and can be a relaxing experience for you and your German Shepherd as well. The FURminator is a great tool, but be warned – lots of hair comes as a result of using this, so it may be useful to do this outdoors.

You should use a deshedding tool once a week to keep shedding under control. Also, you will get the best results by bathing your dog once a month and deshedding him before and after the bath. Remember to use a high-quality dog shampoo to prevent damage to the coat and stripping it from its natural oils.

Every Day Is A Brushing Day

Brush your German Shepherd for at least 5-10 minutes daily if possible.

Grooming your German Shepherds coat removes excess fur and redistributes your German Shepherds skin oils into its fur. This can prevent excessive shedding by moisturizing their hair and skin.

This can be achieved easily by using a Furminator that can reach the undercoat to remove loose hair easily.

Check out this video to see the real result for yourself:

Instead of letting the hair find its way around your house, this will directly minimize the amount of furball you have to pick up everywhere.

Furminator De-Shedding Tool for Large Dogs

Check out more suggestions from existing GSD owners in our: Shopping List for Shedding Dogs.

Brushing your dog could also be a way to bond with him. The touching, petting and cuddling involved can be the best way to show your love and care to your pet pal. Every owner should enjoy doing it.

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Why Do Rottweilers Have Seasonal Coat Blowing

Some dogs are unable to adapt to changes in the weather. Their coats remain the same throughout the year, and they may require assistance to cope with extreme temperatures.

This may mean a shave in hot weather for dogs with thick coats or jackets in cold weather for dogs with short coats.

Rottweilers, however, are one of the breeds that can adapt to the weather.

In the fall, their thin undercoats are shed to be replaced with thicker and warmer undercoats to trap heat against the skin and ward off the winter chills.

Then in the spring, this thick undercoat is shed to be replaced with a thinner and cooler coat that allows good airflow against the skin.

Dealing With German Shepherds Shedding

How Much Does A German Shepherd Shed – Vacuuming Routine

Although theres no way to stop your German Shepherd from shedding completely, there are ways to reduce the effects.

Despite the fact that longhaired German Shepherds may appear to shed less, their undercoat is actually being trapped in their dense outercoat.

While this means less visible accumulation on your upholstery, it also means that theyre more prone to matting.

Regardless of whether your dog is longhaired or shorthaired, they will require regular grooming.

Getting a vacuum designed for picking up pet hair is a good investment.

Look for one that has strong suction and a HEPA filter to trap airborne allergens.

Sticking to a regular vacuuming schedule is the best way to keep on top of unwanted dog hair and avoid tumbleweeds of fur blowing around your home.

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What Causes Dog Allergies

The number one culprit of course is their fur but it also comes from their urine, saliva, and dander, which is found in their fur. This is why many think their allergies to dog comes just from the fur. There are many ways in which pet dander can be transmitted.

You can get the dander just by petting your dog, by touching exposed parts of your body, like your face, after petting your dog, or through the air by breathing it in. When your dog shakes, runs or even walks, they can lose the dander from their skin into the air. You can even get these allergens when your dog licks you.

Food Should Also Be Taken Into Account

99% of the coat is protein-based, and for this reason, food is essential for your dog to show off a spectacular coat. The protein must be of high quality and with high biological value for the dogs skin and coat to remain healthy.

The food you feed your dog should be rich in sources of omega-three fatty acids. When you feed your dog a good diet, his good diet will quickly reflect his skin and coat.

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The Reasons Behind German Shepherd Shedding

Unlike some breeds that shed seasonally, German shepherds shed all year long. Sometimes, all of a sudden, they can become shedding furballs for no apparent reason.

But there are some reasons behind it, closely tied to health issues or other factors which we will get into a little bit down the road.

First, lets establish what the purpose of your German shepherds coat is:

To regulate its body temperature.

To help with sensory perception.

To protect its bodys largest organ .

The fur of a German shepherd can be divided into three types:

1. Undercoat this is a layer of thick but soft hair that provides insulation.

2. Outer coat this layer is thick and long, and its purpose is to protect the undercoat and skin from extreme temperatures and water.

3. The whiskers these are solid hairs that grow around the dogs face and grant sensory stimulation.

A German shepherds hair follicles grow several hairs each. In comparison, human hair follicles contain only one strand of hair.

A GSDs hair follicles contain oil that keeps its fur and skin in healthy condition. When the hairs in hair follicles stop growing, they are shed to make space for the growth of new hairs.

How frequently shedding takes place and when depends on your dogs overall health, genetics, and other factors.

Now lets see how the shedding season affects this breed, and then we will proceed to health issues that can provoke additional shedding.

Why Do Dutch Shepherd Dogs Shed So Much And Is This Normal

Do German Shepherds Shed? All You Need to Know  The ...

While watching your dog literally drop their coat all around them may feel alarming the first time you see it happen, this is actually quite normal for most dogs in the shepherd group of dogs.

The reason is that the canine coat for many working dogs has evolved over generations to protect the dog from the elements and potential predators.

As you learned in the previous section here, it is common for working dog breeds like the Dutch Shepherd have a thick double layer coat. The two layers are as follows:

1. The outer layer is water-repellant and is made up of longer, coarser hair.

2. The under layer that sits next to the skin is a softer, thick, and insulating layer of hair that serves the exact same function to keep the dog warm and dry.

The coat also serves to provide moisture-wicking to draw moisture away from the skin to evaporate so the dog doesnt develop infections or attract parasites.

This is especially important when you consider that dogs cannot sweat through their skin the way that people do. They can only sweat through their paws and by opening their mouth and panting.

So having a moisture wicking coat is the only way a Dutch Shepherd can cool down continuously during very hot weather.

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German Shepherd Shedding Seasons

Like most double-coated dogs, German Shepherds blow their coats twice a year.

In the fall, they blow their undercoat to make way for a thicker, denser winter coat that will keep them insulated throughout the cold season. Then, during the spring, theyll blow out their winter coat to get rid of excess insulation and keep their bodies cool during the warmer summer months.

Coat blowing can go on for several weeks depending on how thick your GSDs coat is. During these times, youll notice tufts of fur that easily come off. Youll need to step up your grooming habits as well as your cleaning schedule during this time.

Why Is My German Shepherd Shedding A Lot

If your German Shepherd has been shedding a lot then you might be wondering why and what you can do about it.

This post will show you a number of reasons why your German Shepherd might be shedding a lot and a number of possible solutions.

So, why is my German Shepherd shedding a lot? German Shepherds naturally shed a lot all year round. They shed more when its getting hotter by shedding their undercoat and they shed more when its getting colder by shedding their overcoat and having denser undercoats.

There are actually a number of reasons why your German Shepherd might be shedding a lot especially if the shedding seems to be very sudden. There are also a number of things that you can do about it.

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Dealing With Your Dogs Shedding

There are some tips and tricks to reduce your dogs shedding, which we will get into later, but for now, you need to know that there is no way to stop shedding completely.

It may seem to you that longhaired German shepherds shed less, but their undercoat is actually getting stuck in their dense outercoat.

Even though this leads to less visible hair around the house, it also means that your dog is more prone to matting.

Regardless of your dogs coat length, they will need regular grooming.

Regular grooming of your pet means that you will deal with a ton of hair, so we recommend that you invest in a good vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum cleaners with strong suction and a HEPA filter are the best as they will trap any airborne allergens along with fallen hair.

Also, make sure to keep a regular vacuuming schedule. This is the best way to tackle all of the unwanted dog hair and prevent tumbleweeds of fur from rolling around in your house.

How To Deal With A German Shepherds Shedding

Frequently Asked Friday – German Shepherd Shedding!

German Shepherds hold the distinction of being a breed that sheds an incredible amount of hair. As any GSD owner can attest, there is a lot of truth to this assertion.

GSDs not only shed they shed a lot! If you are planning on acquiring a GSD, then you should very realistically plan on having dog hair just about everywhere and on just about everything.

This is not an exaggeration! No matter how much you brush your German Shepherd and clean up after him, you will not be able to catch all of the hair that your GSD sheds.

We mention this so emphatically because we do not want you to fall into the unfortunate situation that all too many first-time GSD owners find themselves in.

Many times people will acquire a GSD because they have heard all about the breeds esteemed reputation, and overlook the reality of owning one.

The reality is that there is a lot of cleaning that is involved due to the amount that GSDs shed. There is a very good reason why they are aptly nicknamed German Shedders!

Realistically speaking, you can likely expect your cleaning schedule around your home to double.

This means that if you clean up on your own, you will spend much more time doing so. If you hire outside help to clean, then you can expect your cleaning bills to sharply increase.

Sticky hair rollers are great to have around, especially in your car. It is also useful to have a reusable roller for daily maintenance around the home.

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Get A Tool Designed For German Shepherds

The best way to groom your German Shepherd is with a de-shedding tool designed specifically for German Shepherds. These tools take your German Shepherds thick undercoat into account and dig out any loose hairs that otherwise would find themselves scattered across the floor in your home.

You need to pick a comb or brush tool that will reach all the way through your German Shepherds fur and be able to latch onto any hair that might just be sitting there. They are ideal to use when your dog is blowing his coat.

I use the FURminator undercoat de-shedding tool from Amazon. It really does a good job by removing all the dead and loose hair as it reaches through your GSDs topcoat without cutting his skin or damaging the outer coat. You can get this tool from any good pet store, and there are a ton of 5-star reviews that you can read on Amazon if you prefer online shopping.

Check out this video below showing an elderly German Shepherd being de-shedded, also with the FURminator tool. This dog hadnt been de-shedded or brushed for around 6 months! Theres enough fur to make a woolly sweater!

Try Out A German Shepherd Shedding Suit

Finally, if your German Shepherd can handle the potential embarrassment of wearing what amounts to long underwear, consider an .

They come in a variety of sizes and snazzy colors, so theres a onesie for every dog. Justtry not to laugh too hard when you put this thing on or your German Shepherds pride will be forever injured.

Jokes aside, the onesies are a good way to contain shedding for a short period of time, such as riding in the car or if someone with a pet allergy is visiting. The tight fit can also help alleviate anxiety, so its a double-whammy of benefits.

Still, its important to remember that the dog onesie should only be a temporary solution to short-term problems. The use of a onesie over a long period of time may be harmful as it could restrict healthy airflow to the skin and fur.

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What Are The Best Ways To Minimize Shedding

For those wanting German Shepherds that don’t shed, you’ll need to redirect your sights to another breed if you don’t think you can handle the shedding! If you want to know how to stop German shepherd shedding, you once again may want to consider a different breed, however, there are certain things you can do to decrease shedding. Here are the best things you can do to try to reduce shedding in German shepherds:

Change Your Dogs Diet

One of the main reasons for heavy shedding is feeding your dog cheap dog food thats not nutritionally balanced. Such dog foods usually contain large amounts of grain and corn, which are not digested well by canines. These types of foods also dont reflect well through the skin. In fact, it can be a cause of your dogs itchy skin.

If you suspect your dog food is cheap and not well-balanced, try a new brand but be sure to buy one that has real meat as the first ingredient. Another wonderful choice is beginning your dog on a raw food diet. Youll just have to research and learn how to give your dog the right amounts of food to ensure they get the vitamins and minerals necessary for their health needs.

Healthy diets not only reduce shedding, but also help with dry skin and improves the immune system. This is probably the most effective way to cut down on your German shepherds shedding, but be sure to change the diet gradually. Changing your dogs diet too quickly can lead to stomach upset and other issues.

Add Oils to Your Dogs Food

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