Do German Shepherds Shed A Lot
Almost all dog breeds shed, but it seems like thats all your German Shepherd ever seems to do! No matter what time of year, no matter what the weather, no matter what hes doing, theres always a pile of hair beneath him every time you pet him.
German Shepherds do shed a lot. As a double-coated breed, they are naturally heavy shedders and will molt their fur all year round. They will also blow their coat in the fall and spring. This is when they change their undercoat, ready for the new season ahead, and shedding is particularly heavy.
So, to understand this a little better, lets take a more in-depth look at the type of coat that German Shepherds have.
German Shepherds are double-coated, having two layers of fur. The thick, soft, woolly undercoat protects them from the cold and heat and regulates their temperature. The outer coat is dense and coarse and protects the skin from water, dirt, and other external environmental factors.
This is why German Shepherds are good outside dogs and working dogs, as they can tolerate many different weather conditions.
What you might not know is that the shedding habits of the German Shepherd follow a schedule, in a sense. In fact, twice a year, German Shepherds blow or change their coats. Thats why they seem to shed a lot more during certain times of the year.
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Lets now take a look at the molting habits of German Shepherds so you can understand how to reduce and control shedding.
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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.
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Why Is My German Shepherd Shedding So Much
Not everyone likes the sight of the pile of hair that a German Shepherd leaves when you pet it or place it on your couch. For some people, they find fur of their German Shepherd everywhere in the house the rooms, the bedsheet, their clothes, or even on their body. Shedding protects the German Shepherd from diseases and injury and also regulates its temperature. German Shepherds are known to be prolific shedders, which means they shed in abundance, and this is because they are double-coated, signifying that they have two coats of fur. This double layer of fur helps them to regulate their body temperature in cold weather.
Meanwhile, in the hot weather, they tend to shed their coat to adjust to the temperature. This is why German Shepherds are acceptable external dogs and working dogs as they can endure a wide range of climate conditions. The outer coat is thick, coarse, somewhat wavy, or straight, and it ensures the dog’s skin can withstand water, soil, and other outside natural components. The fact that German Shepherds are heavy shedders is the primary reason why they shed so much. It is their nature to shed. However, there are other causes of excessive shedding in German Shepherds some include:
- Change in Season
- Health Issues
When a dog is not healthy, it can increase the rate at which the dog sheds. You might need to look for symptoms of these health issues or visit a vet. Some of these health issues include
Take Control Of Fleas
Fleas arent just annoying, they can actually cause nasty skin irritation and excessive shedding in dogs, especially since most dogs scratch themselves when they have fleas.
In most cases, a good flea treatment that your vet recommends should be enough to deal with this. Whether it be a flea tablet, flea shampoo or some other type of flea treatment.
However, fleas can cause something called Flea Allergy Dermatitis , which is one of the most common dermatologic diseases in household dogs throughout the United States.
Believe it or not, just a few flea bites have the potential to cause skin irritation that can last for weeks, even after youve gotten rid of the fleas. And this, in turn, can lead to itching, excessive shedding and even acute hair loss.
So its worth getting fleas under control as quickly as possible to avoid this. And if you notice redness, patchy balding or scabs, or have any concerns at all, contact a veterinarian.
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Use A Dog Hair Blower
A dog hair blower is something many professional groomers use as part of a comprehensive, three-part, grooming routine involving bathing, blow drying and brushing.
Its definitely not essential to use one of these, but if you have a heavy shedding dog, like an Alaskan Malamute or German Shepherd for example, these are worth every penny.
They basically look and work like a vacuum, but in reverse. They are designed to blow air in a safe and effective manner, and in such a way to blast the old fur right off the coat, including the undercoat. Which makes them ideal for heavy shedding dogs with a thick coat.
Not only that, but they can save you a lot of time too.
Especially if you use it after bathing and before brushing. Because for one thing, they can save you time hand drying your dog after a bath. And second, they tend to blow so much fur off of the coat that when it comes time to brush, most of the work is already done.
That said, I would only recommend an air blower if you have a heavy shedding dog, otherwise it may be hard to justify the cost. And some dogs dont like the noise, so its worth being selective about which one you get, otherwise using it effectively could prove difficult.
Treat Your Dog With Human Food Occasionally
Bananas, cucumbers, sliced apples , and lean meats like chicken breast are all moisture-rich foods that help your German Shepherd keep hydrated.
If that wasnt good enough, they also contain lots of healthy nutrients that help your German Shepherds coat stay shiny and smooth and reduce shedding.
However, only 5-10% of your German Shepherds daily food intake should be treats of any kind the rest should be the before-mentioned meat-rich dog food.
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Minimize Anxiety And Stress
Unfortunately, German Shepherds, like many other very affectionate and loyal breeds, are prone to separation anxiety which can impact the health of their coats. The ASPCA provides some excellent advice on how to deal with separation anxiety and help your German Shepherd remain calm even when you have to leave him home alone.
As we outlined above, other stressors for your German Shepherd can include routine changes, moving house, adding a new family member , and so forth. While these changes are largely unavoidable, there are many ways to help your dog cope and thereby keep his mental health and his coat shipshape.
How Much Do German Shepherds Shed
A German Shepherd dog does not shed anywhere near the level of a normal dog, the average doge will shed mostly when its coming down to the shedding season in the year. This rule is totally different for a German Shepherd, these dogs shed all year round, and when its shedding season the shedding triples.
In most cases this the reason why professional dog trainers will advise that if it is your first time getting a dog then you should advise against getting a German Shepherd dog because you will have to put in double if not triple the amount of work in for the upkeep of this dog.
Apart from that German Shepherds are very easy to be trained and are extremely loyal dogs that are suitable for any situation that you will need them for. So whenever I go out or someone sees me walking my beautiful babies and they ask how much do a German Shepherd sheds I would simply say they shed a lot.
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How Long Do You Need Heat To Keep A Newborn Puppy Warm
Puppies should reach their full adult temperature by week four. This is also when the puppies have open eyes and a curious mind and will start venturing off the warmth of the whelping box. The rectal temperatures of each puppy will tell you when its okay to turn off the lamp.
While recommendations vary, youll need to have the heat lamp option for at least three weeks and up to seven weeks.
German Shepherd Shedding What To Expect
German Shepherds are a high shedding breed.
And there are basically two different types of shedding you are up against as a German Shepherd owner. The first is the regular shedding they do throughout most of the year, which can still be quite high. And the second is the seasonal shedding they do, which is even more noticeable, but only for a short period of time.
Seasonal shedding occurs when the dog sheds his undercoat to prepare for the change in season. And this normally happens in spring and fall for about 2-4 weeks at a time. So for example, you may notice heavier than normal shedding in spring as your GSD sheds his winter coat.
Either way, you are going to notice fur floating around the home if your German Shepherd comes inside. Whether it be on your floors, furniture, clothes or all of the above. They drop fur anywhere and everywhere!
Some GSD owners even refer to them as German Shedders . So its safe to say that if youre looking for a non-shedding, or hypoallergenic, dog breed the GSD is not it.
Most dogs drop at least some hair though. The only difference is how much fur they drop and how often. And, for the most part, this is determined by the individual breed.
Some breeds, like the Cane Corso and Havanese Dog for example, shed very little. While other breeds, like the St. Bernard and Siberian Husky, are heavy shedders like GSDs.
Related:Why Do Dogs Shed Hair?
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How Do I Stop My German Shepherd From Shedding So Much
To reduce German Shepherd shedding, brush your dog daily, bathe 3-4 times a year, change his food to one that targets a healthy coat and skin, make sure he is always hydrated, and control parasites. You cant avoid your GSD blowing his coat twice a year, but all these methods will help to reduce shedding.
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Best German Shepherd Hairstyle: Au Naturale
Via Pixabay/FREE IMAGE
You wont find much variety in hairstyles for your German shepherd. When it comes to looking good, its more about being properly brushed and groomed, and whether their coat is shiny and healthy. If you truly feel the need to trim your pup, purchase a pair of grooming scissors and give them very specific snips that wont affect the rest of their gorgeous coat.
But really, so long as your giving your Shepherds tresses the attention they deserve through brushing and washing, they probably look great just the way they are.
Just remember to always pay attention to the cues that your dog is giving you, and if something is causing them stress, then it may be time to find a different approach/hairstyle/groomer/etc. We hope these hairstyle ideas and grooming tips have been useful for jazzing up your pups coif. Happy grooming!
What Are K9 Dog Dryers
K9 Dog Dryers are the largest-selling dog dryer brand in the USA. They offer a wide range of high-performance, high-velocity dryers that are essential in dog grooming. Their models range from small single-motor dryer to twin-motor dryer which is perfect for drying your dog and controlling its shedding.
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Tools You Need To Groom Your German Shepherd
It only takes a few good quality tools to make grooming your German Shepherd easy.
Those are my basic grooming tools up there. And that hair is from a regular daily brush!
My tools are a little old school but they do a great job! There are more modern, comfortable, and easier to use tools which I’ll be showing you next.
Coat Maintenance: The Essentials
To wrap up, here is a quick list of the four most important things to have to ensure your German Shepherds coat stays healthy.
- High-quality topcoat brush
- High-nutrient diet
- Delicious treats to reward good behavior while grooming or bathing
If you have a German Shepherd, how do you deal with their shedding. Please share in the comments below what you do to keep your German Shepherds shedding under control while also keeping their coat healthy.
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Bath Your Dog With A Proper Dog Shampoo
Bathing is a great way to loosen and remove the old, dead hairs on your dogs coat, before they have a chance to fill your home, and to help keep his skin and hair in optimal condition.
However, there are some important caveats to this.
First, its important to use a good quality shampoo that doesnt contain a bunch of harsh chemicals that could dry out, or irritate, your dogs skin. This is why I personally avoid using a human shampoo, and stick with using one thats designed for dogs. Some are even designed specifically to loosen and remove the dead fur, while also reducing future shedding.
You could even try a homemade dog shampoo, like one made from oatmeal for example, if you want something thats really gentle on your dogs skin and one that adds moisture.
Second, try to avoid over-bathing. Because even if youre using a proper dog shampoo, bathing too frequently may diminish the natural oils on your dogs skin and lead to dryness.
How often you should bath your dog depends on a number of factors such as the breed, how messy he gets, what shampoo youre using and your own preference.
However, as a general rule, shorter haired dogs can be bathed less often than longer haired dogs that are more prone to mats and tangles.
In any case, bathing is a great way to manage shedding, just be selective about which shampoo you use, and how often you bath, to avoid drying out your dogs skin and hair.
Make Sure Your Dog Is Getting Enough Exercise
Regular exercise wont stop your dogs hair falling out, but a healthy dog is likely to develop healthier skin and hair. Not to mention, adequate exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety in dogs, which are linked to higher than normal levels of shedding. Especially if they become self destructive by biting and scratching themselves as a result.
In any case, all dogs need exercise, but some need more than others, so this is naturally going to be more or less important depending on the breed and individual dog.
For example, English Bulldogs are known as a fairly relaxed breed, so a walk each day should be more than enough to keep them happy. Whereas Border Collies are very high energy dogs that need lots of room to run, and plenty of stimulation.
So how much exercise your dog needs can vary greatly depending on the breed. Either way, exercise can help dogs thrive and reduce stress levels, which in turn may result in a healthier, stronger coat and lower levels of shedding.
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