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.
Do German Shepherds Shed Is It Worse Than Other Breeds
German Shepherds are one of those dog breeds that everyone immediately is familiar with. They are known to be strong, brave, courageous, and loyal. It is definitely a dog breed that protects and learns fastexactly why it is one of the most popular dog breeds, ranking #2 by the American Kennel Club.
Of course, each dog comes with its own characteristics, with pros and cons. People looking into getting a Shepherd may ask one question: Do German Shepherds shed? Yes, this is an infamous con.
Many dog groomers will know that this dog breed sheds quite a lot. In fact, a common joke among German Shepherd owners is that they often call these dogs German shedders.
They have a medium-length coat and two phases in the year where they are known to shed the most. What, at first, may seem overwhelming, worry not! There are a few tricks and ways to manage it and have control.
Do you have a specific question about whether or not german shepherds shed? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
How Often Do You Have To Exercise A Black German Shepherd
Black German Shepherds love to exercise and make great companions for people who want to get off the couch and move. Ideally, you should walk or jog your black German shepherd for several miles every day. You could shorten the walk by mixing in some energetic play sessions.
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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 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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How To Identify Abnormal Shedding
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.
When Do German Shepherds Stop Shedding
Excessive seasonal shedding in German Shepherds stops a few weeks after the spring or falls starts.
This natural phenomenon is called coat blowing,which eliminates the old one and exchanges it for a new one.
Some German Shepherds lose their undercoats slower or faster, and its unique to each dog.
The reality is that German Shepherds dont stop shedding, but they shed much less during the non-seasonal shedding months, typically in June, July, August, December, January, and February.
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Can You Shave A Short Haired Dog
Resist shaving shorter-haired breeds because not only do they get no benefit from it, but they also run the risk of sunburn once shaved, says Stickney. Actually, any dog can suffer sunburn, so if you do shave your thick-coated dog, be sure to leave at least an inch of hair to protect your pet from the suns rays.
How Do I Deshed My German Shepherd
The Bottom Line: De-Shedding a German Shepherd
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What Months Do German Shepherds Shed The Most
German Shepherds have two main shedding periods. The first is before the winter months, during fall. Your dog will shed most of its undercoat and grow an even thicker one for the winter. At this point, increasing your use of the undercoat rake can help to reduce shedding.
This breed will also shed its winter coat excessively before the warm months. Once again, the undercoat is shed the most so using the rake will come in handy at this point as well.
Keep in mind that if you live in a warmer area, your dogs shedding levels can be quite heavy throughout the year. In this case, you will need to keep up a fairly regular brushing schedule.
You cant stop your German Shepherd from shedding but you can certainly reduce the amount. Follow the guidelines above and you can get a handle on things easily.
Hypoallergenic Dogs And Why German Shepherds Are Allergenic
A hypoallergenic dog is a dog that has very little chance of setting off an allergic reaction. So what makes a dog hypoallergenic, and what is it that people are allergic to regarding dogs?
Technically, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, even though people seem to have other ideas. This comes from the fact that some dog breeds are less allergenic or rather more hypoallergenic.
In other words, if you are sensitive and allergy-prone, having a hypoallergenic dog breed is less likely to cause allergic rhinitis, which comes with the symptoms of red, itchy eyes, congestion, or a runny nose, rashes or hives, asthma attacks, sneezing, and/or coughing.
So dogs that arent considered as allergic are those breeds that have non or low-shedding coats that produce less dander. Dander is dead skin cells, which is what people are allergic to, in addition to the proteins found in a dogs saliva. When a dog sheds, this dander is then released into the air around you and what you breathe in.
So, less shedding equals less dander, which equals a lower chance of you experiencing symptoms related to allergic rhinitis.
That brings us to whether or not German shepherds are hypoallergenic.
German shepherds are allergic dogs, not hypoallergenic. This is because these dogs shed a lot! And a lot isnt an underestimation.
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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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Can You Shave A German Shepherd To Stop Shedding
Shaving a German Shepherd cannot stop the shedding. Typically, for OTHER dogs, shaving is a reasonable way to help your dog cope with the summer. For German Shepherds, however, this is so NOT appropriate.
These dogs are naturally meant to have their double coat, and shaving them may lead to damaged fur/coat for many years after and unhealthy skin.
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How Often Should You Brush Your German Shepherd
The only way to reduce the amount of shedding is to brush your dog regularly. Every German Shepherd shed at different rates and in varying amounts as well. You need to figure out what brushing schedule works best for your dog.
Start by brushing your dog once a week and determine how much they shed after that. If you think there is too much fur everywhere, try brushing them twice a week. Keep doing this until you find out how often your German Shepherd needs to be brushed to keep things under control.
To maximize brushing efficiency, use the undercoat rake at least once a week. Be thorough about it and get rid of any loose fur that may have accumulated under the top layer.
Their Owners Love Them
Despite the hate that these dogs sometimes receive for being the lesser version of the German Shepherd, they are a great, lovable dog, and their owners love them so much!
If you own a long haired German Shepherd, you will probably have people asking you what breed your dog is all the time. This unique dog is so rarely seen that people often assume that they are a mixed breed dog with something like a collie.
Even if other people dont know what your long haired German Shepherd is, that wont make you love them any less!
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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:
Other Causes Of Excessive Shedding In German Shepherds
Excessive shedding in German Shepherds can also be caused by several health problems such as:
- Poor diet.
- Neutered or pregnancy.
- Fleas, ticks, or parasites.
If you suspect that your dogs excessive shedding is caused by one of the health issues listed above, you should bring your dog to vet immediately for a further check-up.
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More Information & Facts About The German Shepherd Dog Breed
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Home » Breed Info » Short Haired German Shepherd vs Long Haired: Comparison
Coat & Colors In Competition
Color during competition does matter when showing off your dog. Multiple colors arent allowed in most competitions including pure white, solid blue, fawn, pure red and spotted black and white as previously mentioned. Some colors such as gray, liver, light blue, and panda are deemed faulty by major kennels, but not always.
The long-haired variant has had a long history of being banned and reinstated. If you want to show off your long-haired beauty, it better have an undercoat, or else they wont be accepted. Black and tan, black and cream, black and silver, red and black, black and red, black, sable, dark sable, black sable, and bi-color/bi-black are all accepted color variants, so finding the proper color is the least of your worries.
Although the Germany Shepherd breed has a long track record of competition wins, the long-haired variant is out of luck when it comes to frequent wins, or wins at all. The banning of the long-haired variety has made it difficult for them to be recognized.
They are often overlooked at dog shows in favor of the classic breed look: black and cream. This doesnt mean that these dogs are bad in competition. It is more likely that the association with the breed is stronger with the tan or sable color scheme. If you want a show dog, I would recommend passing up the long-haired variant. You should only be looking for the short to medium haired version.
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When Do German Shepherds Lose Their Puppy Coat
German Shepherd puppies lose their puppy fur and gradually grow an adult double coat when they are approximately two years old.
According to The American Kennel Club, its different for each puppy, but generally, they grow an adult double coat completely by the time they are two years old.
For individual puppies, this process of changing from fur to an adult coat can finish much quicker.
Puppies dont require brushing until they are about 3 months old, and after that, the owner can start doing it a little bit every day.
Brushing stimulates the skin to release natural oils, keeps the fur healthy, and helps grow a healthy double coat once it starts growing.
Tip 1: Start brushing your puppy while it is eating. It wont pay much attention to it and will get used to it more quickly.
Tip 2: After your German Shepherd puppy is at least three months old, start brushing it a little bit every day. Start brushing from the paws and work your way up using the brush and the comb right after for each part of the fur you brush.
Give Them Coat & Skin Supplements
Adding supplements for dog coat growth to your dogs daily diet will help keep their shedding to a minimum. Consider giving them some omega fatty acids or even some biotin.
Alternatively, you can ask your vet about daily multivitamins that will give them a complete boost of all the vitamins and minerals they need for general wellness.
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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.
Do Senior German Shepherds Shed
Senior German Shepherds shed, and as they get older, they lose more and more hair.
This is a natural process that older dogs go through when their hair is becoming weaker and looser.
Keep brushing your senior dog every day or every few days otherwise, the coat gets matted, and it will probably take hours to brush the whole coat.
Regular brushing is also important if your dog has health concerns, such as hip problems and difficulty standing still for longer periods.
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