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.
Do German Shepherd Dogs Shed
German Shepherd Dogs are large working dogs that were originally developed in Germany to herd sheep. Today, however, these smart, obedient and courageous dogs are better known for working with law enforcement and spending time with family.
And yes, they do shed a LOT.
German Shepherds have a medium length double coat that sheds constantly throughout most of the year, and even more for about 2-4 weeks during spring and fall as they blow coat. You cant stop them from shedding, but regular brushing can help limit how much hair they drop around the home.
Lets take a closer look at how much GSDs shed and what sort of effort is needed to maintain their coat and keep your home as fur-free as possible.
German Shepherds Dry Skin And Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has many benefits for a German Shepherd with dry skin.
When coconut oil is applied to your German Shepherds dry skin its amazing qualities include:
- antiviral
- antimicrobial
- antiprotozoal
This means that a German Shepherd with dry skin can use coconut to help with their skin health which means their coats will improve, too.
Its not only a natural oil, but it can reduce yeast and fungus on the skin and its therapeutic for irritated skin, hot spots, abrasions, and cracked paws. Plus, when applied to the skin it improves your German Shepherds coat.
This oil for a German Shepherds coat will infuse them with shine!
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Reduce Shedding Through Proper Grooming
German Shepherds are fairly easy to groom. Brushing several times per week, along with the occasional bath, is usually enough to maintain their coat.
However, they are a double coated breed that sheds a lot. So if you want to keep as much fur out of your home as possible, it may be worth brushing him daily, especially during shedding season.
Brushing can help in a couple of ways.
First, it removes the loose hair from his coat before it falls out and onto your furniture. So daily brushing, even for 10 minutes or so, can make a big difference and significantly reduce the amount of time youll need to spend vacuuming. And second, brushing can help spread his natural coat oils, which in turn can help promote a healthier coat.
What sort of brush should you use?
Well, like any dog, the sort of brush you use really depends on what sort of coat they have. As in, how long the coat is and the texture of the hair.
According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, German Shepherds have a medium length double coat. The outer coat is made up of dense, straight, coarse, and close lying fur which comes in a variety of colors. And the undercoat is thick and dense.
What I have found is that, for dogs with thick coats like the GSD, a combination of a slicker brush and metal comb works well. A slicker brush is a type of dog brush made up of fine wire bristles with plastic tips on the ends. And a simple metal comb with wider teeth on one end and narrower teeth on the other, is ideal.
German Shepherd Blowing Coat
The first rule of owning a German Shepherd is understanding his shedding habits. Twice a year, specifically in the spring and fall, your German Shepherd will blow his coat.
At the change of seasons, your German Shepherds coats switch so they can adapt to the new conditions. This shedding is a completely natural process as your dog responds to the changing of daylight hours. This transition allows them to be comfortable all year long.
For about two weeks each time, his thick undercoat will begin coming out in clumps. The shedding will be quite intense during this time whilst he molts all of his dead undercoat.
You will easily know when this is about to occur as you will notice the clumps of fur falling from your GSD. His coat wont look too great for a little while, and it may look a little shabby, but it will grow back pretty quickly and look even better than ever!
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When Do German Shepherds Shed
German Shepherds tend to shed their coats all-year-round. This is the reason why they are sometimes called German Shedders. Their coat responds naturally to daylight so when days start to get shorter and winter is fast approaching, German Shepherds will shed their summer coat and grow a new winter coat. You should get ready for a massive shedding during the fall.
Similarly, you need to be also prepared when your German Shepherd blows its coat during spring since, during this time, days will become longer and it will have to get rid of its winter coat. How long do German Shepherds shed?
German Shepherds shed their coats all year long but they blow their coats twice a year. During these times, it will take 10 days or more to shed their undercoat.
How much do German Shepherds shed?
If you do not look forward to dealing with shedding, getting a German Shepherd might not be a good choice. This breed sheds a lot of its fur so when shedding season comes, expect your home to be filled with dog hair. It can be overwhelming and it will take a lot of patience and determination to manage a German Shepherds coat shedding.
However, if you really want to have a German Shepherd, you can anticipate their shedding and take steps to prepare for it. While you cannot completely stop your dog from shedding, there are several ways you can reduce it.
Hair Loss And Hydration
Another way to increase your GSDs water intake is to incorporate moist food into its diet. Wet dog food contains up to 78% moisture content, versus around 10% for dry food. Adding in a portion of wet food to their regular kibble is a good way to help keep your dog hydrated .
If you take long walks or play intense games, be sure to have a travel water botter to give your dog the hydration they need when on the go.
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What Can Cause Your German Shepherd To Shed A Lot
- lack of water
- Medical issues
- The dogs food diet
These are some things that will make your German Shepherd dog shed more than the normal even though these dogs are heave shedders. The shedding of the fur on your dog cannot be stopped but it can be reduced, so its best to have your dog on the best and healthiest diet.
Key Benefits Of Hemp Oil For Your German Shepherds Coat
- Hemp oil adds vital nutrients to your pets daily meal to support their skin, coat, hips, and joints.
- Added health benefits include heart and immune system support.
- This specialized mix is a holistic, dog-safe food additive for improving coats.
- An easy-to-use pump takes the hassle out of supplementing your dogs diet with valuable nutrients.
This mixture of hemp oil is manufactured in the USA inside of FDA-registered facilities to meet your high standards of purity and effectiveness you expect from a hemp oil supplement.
Daily use may also help to calm your GSD and decrease anxiety.
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Combine Fish Oil Into Their Daily Diet
If your dog is lacking in fatty acids, then adding fish oil may help be a simple solution to reduce their shedding.
Fish oil contains omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, which significantly decreases hair shedding. Fish oil also contains long-chain omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA that help promote skin and coat health.
Given daily fish oils can help aid in excessive shedding. Look for a natural supplement that also contains other proven skin-healthy oils, like flaxseed oil.
Zesty Paws contains both salmon and hemp seed oil and is great for a healthy coat. Moreover, a blend of wild Alaskan salmon and refined virgin hemp seed oils work together to pack a powerful punch of nutrients and omega fatty acids. These ingredients may improve coat health, joint mobility, heart health, stress levels, and immunity.
A strong coat starts with supple skin that prevents excessive hair loss and protects your GSD from irritations. If youre seeing excessive hair loss try the blend of fish and hemp oil.
Keep in mind that positive effects take a few months to notice. So stay consistent with daily use for the best results.
German Shepherds As Family Dog
We all know that German Shepherds are guard dogs, but did you know that they are also great family dogs? They are the perfect mix of the best of both worlds, with their curly coat and protective nature and their happy-go-lucky demeanor.
They have distinctive facial features include a short muzzle, strong jaws, and a large, erect, triangular-shaped head. German Shepherds are usually black or black and tan, but their color can range from brindle to fawn and everything in between.
German Shepherds are very intelligent, loyal, and protective dogs that are great for families. They are known to be extremely protective of their families and will stand up to protect them. They are also very social and like to be around people, but they can also be aloof, especially around strangers.
They are known to be very protective of their families and will stand up to protect them. They are also very social and like to be around people, but they can also be aloof, especially around strangers.
They make great companions, and they will do best with older children and adults who can take care of them and understand them.
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Runners Up For Best Brush For German Shepherd
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush
Coming in as our runners up, the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush is comfortably among the best brushes and deshedding tools for your German shepherd. It ranks high in our review for its ease of use and its efficiency in removing dead and loose hair from your German shepherds coat. With this brush, it is easy to pull out tangled hair, loose undercoat hair, dander, knots and dirt trapped in the dogs coat.
The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog & Cat Slicker Brush features bent, fine bristles that are not only effective in penetrating deep into the dogs undercoat, but are also gentle on the dogs skin. After you are done brushing the dog, it is easy to clean the brush too just click on the button on its handle and the bristles will retract, letting the hair fall off. This brush features an ergonomic handle design that prevents wrist strain. It also has an anti-slip grip so nothing interrupts your brushing!
Dakpets FURblaster Deshedding & Light Trimming Tool
Third on our list is one of our top choices for German shepherd brushes: Dakpets FURblaster Deshedding & Light Trimming Tool. Like its competitors above, it is renowned for its ability to pick up loose and dead hair deep inside the dogs undercoat without hurting or causing allergic reactions on the skin. The brush is made from eco-friendly bamboo material, making it one of the most durable brushes on our list.
Should You Shave Your German Shepherd
You might think that shaving your German Shepherd is a great way to keep them cool in the summer.
It’s not!
Shaving works great for a single coated dog. Their coat will grow back just like human hair does.
But
For your double-coated GSD shaving them will ruin their coat for many years to come.
Or worse
Forever.
Remember your GSD’s double-coated has 2 distinct coats, with 2 distinct purposes.
They work together to keep your dog comfortable and healthy. Cool in summer and warm in winter.
The outer guard hairs, and fends off water, dirt, and insect bites. The undercoat is soft and fuzzy and works to insulate your dog from heat and cold.
And the outer coat takes much longer to grow than does the undercoat.
In this heat map, the yellow area is shaved and the purple area still has fur. Shaving your dog will not help them cool down. In fact, it has the opposite effect.
This heat map clearly shows that shaving your dog increases their body temp. It doesn’t cool them down. Courtesy of Flir.com
Shave these off, and your GSD has a serious problem
What you’re doing is removing both the protective layer and the insulating layer. If your dog has no fur you’re putting them at risk.
The undercoat, also known as a false coat will grow back fast, but the guard hairs take much longer or won’t at all.
Without both these coats, your dog will be hotter in the summer and cold in the winter.
It can also irritate their skin, cause infection, and make them uncomfortable.
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How To Keep English Bulldog From Shedding
Invest in a Decent Vacuum: Vacuuming your house will keep allergens from dog hair off the ground and furniture, and overall improve the health of your home. Use A Fatty Acid Supplement: Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids have been proven to help the coat of Bulldogs and lessen shedding.
You can’t keep a dog from shedding. But you can choose a dog that is hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic dogs have hair that is more similar to human hair, produce less dander than other dogs, and don’t shed. Because of this, hypoallergenic dogs make ideal pets for people who experience allergies to pet dander or pet fur.
Overall Best Brush For A German Shepherd Dog
FURminator Deshedding Edge Dog Brush
Our overall top choice for the best German shepherd dog brush is the Furminator deshedding Edge Dog Brush. It comes in a minimalistic design with small, medium and large sizes available for dogs with different sizes of fur. The long fur version is recommended as the best for de-shedding German shepherds with long fur coats.
The deshedder features a stainless steel edge to enable you to clear up even the hairs stuck in your German shepherds under coat without damaging the top coat or the skin in the process. The handle design is also ergonomic, allowing you to easily handle the tool when in use. With regular use, this tool could help you reduce your dogs shedding drastically.
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What Are The Reasons Why My German Shepherd Is Shedding
The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most popular breeds in the world. They are known for their loyalty, reliability, and courage. Some breeds of dogs have a reputation for being hairless, but the German Shepherd is not one of them. The hairless dog is a myth, and both the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler have rather loose hair.
But many people are concerned about the shedding of their German Shepherds. The German Shepherd Dog indeed has two coats, which are rough and fine. The rough coat is shed in the spring, while the fine coat is shed in the fall.
This loose hair tends to get pulled out from the skin when the dogs are being groomed, so its a good idea to brush them frequently and check for any problems that might cause the hair to fall out.
German Shepherds are quick to shed due to their double coats, but they can also experience excessive shedding for other reasons.
Sometimes it is because of an underlying health problem other times, it is due to stress, allergies, pain, hormonal changes, fleas, parasites, or ticks. If you notice excessive shedding in your German Shepherd, your veterinarian should check it out to determine the underlying cause.
Metro Air Force Quick Draw Dryer
- 18,000 feet / min.
- Compact and lightweight.
Includes 6 ft stretch hose, air concentrator nozzle, air flare tool, shoulder strap, and mounting hook.
This dryer delivers warm air without an auxiliary heating source. Some users think that this is not as powerful as some of the more expensive models but that it works well.
Some pooch parents noted that the noise level is high. But that goes for any high-velocity dryers.
You cant have a high-velocity airflow without a strong motor, and a strong motor makes noise.
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Wash Dogs Bedding Often
In addition to your furniture, you will also want to regularly wash your dogs bedding. This will help to remove any shedded fur and keep it clean and comfortable for your German Shepherd.
It will also help the bedding to look cleaner too.
You can use a lint roller on your dogs bedding, or you can wash your dogs bedding and use a FurZapper Pet Hair Remover in the washing machine drum.
These are inexpensive to purchase and effectively remove the fur from the dogs bedding.
Healthy Dogs = Less Shedding
Finally, their diet can be a huge culprit when it comes to excessive shedding.
Do your homework and choose a high quality dog food which is best suited for your German Shepherd based on age, activity level, and any health concerns such as allergies. Talk to your vet about supplementing their food with omega fats or selecting the right dog food.
Besides food, German Shepherds are active dogs that require daily exercise and mental stimulation, along with a stress-free environment.
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