How Much Do German Shepherds Shed

Why Do German Shepherds Shed Hair

• German shepherds are known for shedding a lot, and some individuals shed more than others. They shed year-round and blow their coats, a massive hair-dropping event, seasonally. Several things can worsen shedding, including stress, poor diet, dehydration, skin irritation from fleas or household products and certain medical problems.

Best Ways To Deshed A German Shepherd Tips And Tricks

Use these shedding tips for an overview of the best ways to de-shed a German Shepherd.

Use this helpful table to find the best ways to de-shed a German Shepherd.

How Much Shedding Is Too Much

If you notice your German Shepherd shedding more than normal outside of their seasonal coat blows and you cant identify the cause from the above list, its always a good idea to get a professional opinion from your vet about whether your dog is shedding too much.

If you notice any bald patches, excessive scratching, visibly inflamed skin, or dry/brittle fur, its definitely time for a vet visit.

You are your dogs best advocate, so its up to you to keep an eye on shedding levels and take action if you suspect a problem. However, as weve said time and again, German Shepherds shed prolifically, so dont be alarmed when you can pull out gobs of fur with your hands during shedding season.

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The Truth About Dog Allergies

Its not actually dog fur which causes those with allergies to suffer symptoms.

Its inhaling tiny airborne protein molecules that are in their saliva, urine, and dander that creates breathing problems.

All dogs produce these allergens, including those thought of as hypoallergenic.

This 2011 study found no difference in the amount of allergen in homes with so-called hypoallergenic dogs compared to homes with other dog breeds.

The truth is, every dog is unique, with their own distinct chemical makeup.

And our immune systems are exclusive to us as individuals.

So what triggers a persons allergies may be the singular dog and not the entire breed.

The only way to know for sure if a dog will produce allergy symptoms is to spend time with them in different environments.

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!

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German Shepherds Are Known As A Mouthy Breed

They tend to use their mouths as an appendage thanks to their herding heritage. Its even right there in their name, ShepHERD. This mouthing behavior is natural, so expect your GSD to mouth you and chew anything that will fit inside their mouth. However, that doesnt mean you should allow it. What might be cute in your small puppy will get more powerful as your dog grows up. Training your dog not to bite your hand or the chew on the furniture is essential with this breed. Teach your German Shepherd to channel those instincts safely and appropriately.

Follow These Tips To Control Your German Shepherd Losing Hair Everywhere In Your House:

• Groom and bathe them regularly and thoroughly
• Use natural shed-reducing nutrients to help prevent excessive hair fall
• Give your dog an optimum, balanced diet for skin and coat health
• Keep hair shedding removal tools and sprays handy and use them often
• Add in fish oil and hair loss supplements to their daily diet

If your dog sheds more than the normal or shows signs of illness, its time to see your vet as your dog may have undiagnosed health issues. Therere many medications that can help your dog regain its skin and coat health when needed.

Its impossible to stop a German Shepherd from shedding altogether.

But, by following these shedding tips you can reduce hair loss and keep both you and your dog happy and thats a German Shepherd shedding solution thatll put a smile on both your faces!

When all that fur flying has got you down, just remember

Why not get this funny magnet as a gentle reminder to yourself and your family?

Shed Happens!

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How To Deal With A Gsd During Shedding Season

The amount of fur German Shepherds shed during shedding season can become overwhelming because it can accumulate and take over your home very quickly.

It can certainly be a lot to deal with if youre experiencing shedding season for the first time.

To keep your sanity during the shedding season, here are some of the best ways to deal with your GSD:

Causes Of Hair Loss In German Shepherds

Because hair loss is a broad condition that appears as a result of many health issues, its important to examine other symptoms in order to correctly find the cause of hair loss. Hair loss is often accompanied by other symptoms, but can also be the primary symptom.

There are several different factors and illnesses that could be causing hair loss in your German Shepherd. Hair loss may be caused by hereditary or genetic factors, like allergies and diseases, or other triggers like infections and neglect.If you notice hair loss in your dog, its best to follow the steps below:

• Contact your veterinarian to set up an appointment for a physical exam
• Record the symptoms you notice try to provide as much detail as possible
• Watch your dogs routine to identify potential triggers for the hair loss
• Do preliminary research to try and tentatively identify the problem
• Review your dogs pedigree and medical histories for pre-existing conditions

In all likelihood, youll be able to identify the cause of the hair loss and address it. Its important to remember that hair loss isnt itself a problem its a symptom of an underlying problem. The hair loss should be resolved once the issue causing it is addressed.

Below are some of the most common causes of hair loss in German Shepherds. Each health condition has its own cause, presentation, symptoms, and treatments. The majority are curable with the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.

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Do German Shepherds Shed Like Crazy

My German Shepherd mix sheds like crazy. The German Shedder I mean Shepherd is among the worst. But shedding is normal, and you cant stop it with a simple food addition. You can, however, reduce the flying fur by what I estimate is around 90 percent by using the three Cs: cut, collect and contain.

Can I Just Shave My German Shepherd

Some owners mistakenly believe that shaving their dog will not only help them feel more comfortable in heat, but will also help with shedding and human allergies.

The truth is shaving a German Shepherd can be detrimental to their health and overall comfort.

Double-coated breeds use their coat to regulate their body temperature as it keeps them warm in the winter, but also cool in the summer. It also protects your dogs skin from moisture, abrasions, and harmful UV rays. By removing their natural barrier you’re exposing them to many potential health problems.

Also, some allergy sufferers believe shaving your dog will reduce allergic reactions. Also not true. Allergies are triggered from pet dander, which are particles of skin that shed all year. In fact, shaving them will make it worse, as you expose their skin even further.

And as a final warning, once you shave a double-coated dog, their hair never grows back the same. So that beautiful, silky coat will be gone forever.

If this all sounds like a lot of work, there’s a great selection of non shedding dogs out there as well!

Shayla McConnell

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Hormone Imbalances Can Cause Abnormal Shedding In Rottweilers

Normal hormone changes as occur with pregnancy, and the adjustment period following a later sterilization of your Rottweiler can cause excessive shedding.

Give it time, and the hormones should settle down and the shedding along with them. If it does not, then take your Rottweiler for a check-up.

Hormonal imbalances can also be caused by diseases like tumors, hypothyroidism, and Cushings Disease.

If you cannot find any other cause of shedding in your Rottweiler, or they are displaying other signs of illness, then a consultation with a veterinarian is in order.

For an good visual illustration of the points weve covered in this article, be sure to check out the informative video below:

German Shepherd Hair Fall Shampoo And Conditioner

Many GSDs need conditioner to prevent dry, itchy skin and further hair loss. If your dog needs conditioner but you want to save time, try Natures Miracle Shed Control Shampoo and Conditioner for ease of use.

The soap-free formula is safe to use with spot-on flea and tick products. It also contains no dyes or parabens for dogs with sensitive skin, while helping to maintain normal shedding and reducing doggie odor.

Hair fall shampoos and conditioners for your German Shepherd are formulated with ingredients that treat their skin gently, wash away loose fur, and help new hair growing in remain stronger so theres less hair loss.

Or, maybe youre looking for another shampoo for your companion?

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Getting A German Shepherd

Getting a German Shepherd is simple, but its important to be prepared. If youre buying a German Shepherd puppy, youll spend plenty of time discouraging biting and barking, socializing the puppy to other people and dogs, and teaching important skills like sleeping through the night and going to the bathroom outside.

Finding a German Shepherd puppy or adult dog can be as easy as an internet search, but be careful of puppy mills and internet scams. Do your research and ask around for a reputable breeder, visit before committing to payment, and trust your gut.

Gsds Provide Constant Companionship

In truth, German Shepherd owners are never lonely because their loyal canines are always by their side. Although GSDs are sometimes slow to warm to strangers, they are gentle and loving with their families. Their affectionate and dedicated personalities are a bonus of the breed, and they can be particularly fond of children. This means your GSD wants to spend time with you rather than being left alone all day, every day. Allowing your German Shepherd to be with you as much as possible will bring out the best in your dog.

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German Shepherds Will Explore Everything With Their Noses

Youll find evidence of their very thorough sniffing everywhere walls, doors, windows, and more. All dogs have a better sense of smell than humans 10,000 to 100,000 times better in fact thanks to having millions more scent receptors. But compared to other breeds, the GSD ranks near the top in scenting ability. Its no wonder they make such great police and detection dogs. Among many other jobs, GSDs are known for their bomb and drug sniffing work, tracking, and search and rescue.

German Shepherd Poodle Mix

Many people mistakenly think that breeds like the Poodle dont shed fur because they dont see it on their carpets and furniture.

Thats because when dogs with curly coats shed, the fur gets caught in their curls and stays there. Rather than floating about the room

While their coats can be long or short, German Shepherds are almost always double-coated. That means there is plenty of fur to shed and youre going to see that fur around your home, unless you take steps to reduce it. Well look at that in a moment

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What Is An Outer Coat

Known as guard hairs, the outer coat of the German Shepherd features longer hairs that are coarser in texture. This outer layer of fur is responsible for repelling dirt and keeping the much denser undercoat protected from moisture.

This outer coat sheds constantly. Youll find it appears as single hairs, not the clumps associated with the undercoat. These guard hairs adhere to clothing and furniture just as easily and require proper grooming techniques to control.

Brush Your German Shepherd Regularly

Brushing your dog the right way may seem time-consuming, but you will be glad you took the time to do it. Not only will your German Shepherd have a healthy and glossy coat, but systematically grooming your dog will significantly reduce shedding as well. You will have a cleaner home with less pet hair to vacuum.

You should also use this opportunity to check your dog over for any bumps, bites, or pests like fleas or mites. Excessive shedding can be caused by skin diseases and be prevented by checking the condition of the skin regularly.

Brushing the hair of your German Shepherd not only feels great when done properly, but it also helps get that coat looking its best. Blood and skin oils are brought to the coat, helping it grow and giving it a great shine. Go here for help on choosing the right brushes for your German Shepherd.

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Understanding The German Shepherd Coat

As their name implies, the German Shepherd is a shepherding dog from Germany. Herding sheep and cattle was no small task, especially during cold winter months. And yes, they had to stay out in the blistering cold!

So German Shepherds developed a thick double coat that continually shed. This constant shedding of thick fur came with some advantages though.

By constantly shedding, they were less prone to fur matting or getting objects trapped in their coat. And the thick fur obviously was quite the literal life-saver during sub-freezing winter temperatures. Herding would be near-impossible without it!

German Shepherd are legendary for shedding. Get used to grooming. Even then when coats are blown out, you will still have hair in and on everything in the house.

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A double coat also provides a second layer of protection. While running through the fields, a lot of debris could potentially strike the dog. While the inner coat keeps the German Shepherd warm, their outer coat protects their skin!

Now, most shepherd dog breeds shed significantly. But German Shepherds take it the extra mile. So potential and current owners, be prepared with a sturdy brush for your GSDs coat.

Additionally, a German Shepherd will have excessive shedding during spring and fall. This is called blowing their coat. This means they rapidly lose their undercoat twice a year. It would truly be an understatement to say that things get hairy during this time.

Why Do German Shepherds Shed So Much Hair

Here are some of the reasons why your German Shepherd might be shedding so much hair

• Double Coat: Like other breeds such as the huskies, German Shepherds have a double coat. This is a soft wooly undercoat, and thin long protective hairs. Also, the coat serves as a defense against disease, injury, and infection. So, if youre thinking of shaving your dog because you cant keep up, just dont do it.
• Regular shedding: There are two phases of shedding you need to be aware of as a German Shepherd owner. The first is called regular shedding. GSDs do this throughout most of the year, and they could shed a lot of hair. The new hair grows out to replace the old one. For a person, it may seem like the dog is shedding a lot, but it basically has the same amount of hair.
• Seasonal Shedding: The second, the seasonal shedding, is the one most people observe easily, but it doesnt last long. This happens when the dog molts his undercoat as it gets ready for the season change. This typically occurs in spring and fall for 2-4 weeks and is a massive shedding.
• Health issues: while shedding is a natural occurrence, factors like stress, dehydration, poor diet, irritation, or skin allergy affect the rate of shedding. If you notice or think your dog is shedding unnaturally, contact your vet as soon as possible.

Whichever kind of shedding your dog is experiencing, you are sure to notice loose fur all-around your home if you bring the dog inside.

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