For 13 years I have used numerous combs and brushes on my German Shepherds. When looking at getting a German Shepherd, remember this: on a scale of one to ten, German Shepherd's shedding rates about a nine. The thick undercoat makes them shed a lot – especially during spring and fall, when they renew their coat to adapt to the changing seasons. While it is true that the short-haired and plush-haired GSDs appear to shed more as the hair they lose is more visible when you mop your floor. Also, watch your dog go about his day – if he seems like he is not himself, or he is biting/licking himself constantly, it could be a skin disease that needs to be treated. They have a double coat, and the thick undercoat makes them shed both year-round and during shedding season. Color does not play a part and a long haired dog can be any color. This is when their adult fur comes in, which can be slightly coarser, and longer. This leads to bald spots where the dog scratches constantly. It will be the clumpy, thick hair from the thick winter coat. As always, we recommend consulting with a veterinarian if your dog starts to exhibit fur loss without any easy to identify reasons behind it. When it comes to ringworm, for example, dogs experience small infection areas and end up with itchy, red patches. Water carries and moves nutrients from your pet's food into and out of the body's cells. Bathing will always increase shedding because the massaging movement on your dog's coat will loosen all the dead hair that is about to fall out soon. Go here for help on choosing the right brushes for your German Shepherd. For this reason, you may be asking do German Shepherds shed? and is therefore harder to clean up. It may seem silly to discuss why dogs need water – after all, every living creature needs it. If your dog is shedding more than usual, take a look at his or her surroundings. Check your dog over and call the vet if you suspect something is off. Not only will your German Shepherd have a healthy and glossy coat, but systematically grooming your dog will significantly reduce shedding as well. During the shedding season, German Shepherds will shed a tremendous amount of hair within a very short period and their coat will look no worse for wear. Still can’t figure out why your German Shepherd may be shedding more than normal? Anything else is likely to cause skin irritation, which will then cause additional shedding. Some individuals have an independent mind of their own and can be quite willful. Because of the long hairs, the hairs that are shed tend to get matted and stuck together. When puppies shed their first coat, they can appear scruffy and may even change color. White German Shepherds have a controversial coat color, where some people argue it’s not even an actual member of the breed. Taking Omega fatty acid chewable or liquid supplements will ensure your pup’s coat is both shiny and healthy. Also, you will get the best results by bathing your dog once a month and deshedding him before and after the bath. Once or twice per year at the changing of the seasons (depending on how extreme your local weather is), a Dutch Shepherd will do something called “blowing coat.” A lot of people own the longer haired German Shepherds. In this comprehensive guide, we explain why your German Shepherd sheds, and what to do if they are shedding more than normal. Although they’ll shed year round, they’re considered seasonal shedders. Attractive Appearance – Their long, silky hair indeed makes them look unique when compared to their short haired counterparts. BUT there is something you can do! You may have noticed your dog losing hair in patches all over his body. We can assist their natural protection by learning how to care and supplement their coat. White Shepherds shed constantly. Reduce the amount of dog hair in your house by gently grooming your puppy with an appropriate brush. Coats of short hair German Shepherds are easier to maintain and it depends on your preferences, but 2 or at the most 3 grooming tools should be adequate. German Shepherd, also known as GSD, is one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S., which makes sense as they are loyal, obedient, and courageous dogs. The AKC acknowledged the c… There is no way of stopping your German Shepherd from shedding because it's the natural cycle of renewing their coat to keep it healthy. Both Long Coats and Short Coats will shed the same amount, but longer or fluffier coats will definitely show more around your home due to the length of their coat. Like any dog breed, there are also things that can happen in your pup’s life that will cause them to shed more than normal. Foods should also be abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, and healthy fats as these keep the coat of your German Shepherd shining. Hormone Changes: If your pup recently became pregnant, or has had other hormone changes in their body, fur loss can also be a common temporary symptom. Furthermore, daylight plays a role too. Believe it or not, short-haired German shepherd dogs actually have more hair than long-haired German shepherds. In addition, they will also shed all year round because of their double coat. Short haired GSDs actually shed far worse than long haired because they have a thick undercoat which the long haired do not. You should also use this opportunity to check your dog over for any bumps, bites, or pests like fleas or mites. When this neat freak is not searching for better ways to get rid of pet hair, dander, and other messes pets leave behind, he's usually enjoying outdoors with his two (hairy) Goldens: Ben and Jerry. Let’s jump in! While they do shed all year, when the days get shorter, their body will react to the amount of sunlight they are exposed to. This is a naturally friendly, playful breed, and a perfect dog for a first-time owner. And lastly, fleas can make a dog lose hair thanks to their ability to make dogs itch incessantly. Maybe you’ve recently adopted one and aren’t sure how to deal with their shedding? Also, providing your German Shepherd with nutritious food will help prevent excessive shedding. Believe it or not, short-haired German shepherd dogs actually have more hair than long-haired German shepherds. However, there are many things you can do to control that shedding. This is a term that encompasses all itchy skin infections that are the result of mites. This can lead to anxious or stressed behaviors, and hair loss can be a side effect. Using an undercoat rake is mandatory for when he sheds his seasonal undercoat (also known as spring & fall blowouts). They will be losing their summer coat which is a finer hair. Your dog's health plays a big role in having a healthy and beautiful coat. Meanwhile, demodex mites are not contagious, but still do cause loss of hair. Learn all about their shedding frequency and management before you welcome one into your home! When they get stressed out, this additional stress can trigger hormones in their body, resulting in the loss of additional dog fur. The first line of defense in reducing shedding is a healthy diet. During this time, dog fur will be everywhere. Although shepherds shed all year long, they have a super shed-fest twice a year where they release the undercoat. One of them has a shorter coat and another a bit longer coat. Your German Shepherd will shed in the late fall when the days get shorter. This is slang for when a dog sheds their outer coat in the summer to keep cool, and again in the wintertime to allow a new undercoat to come in to protect from the cold. When you bathe your German Shepherd… Below are some of the most common themes you’ll need to consider if you notice your dog is shedding more than normal. Add olive oil to their diet. So, as the days get shorter or longer, your dog’s hormone levels … Most German Shepherds have an undercoat, the exception is the long haired German Shepherd with no undercoat. If you stick to a regular bathing and grooming schedule, there’s no reason at all you shouldn’t be able to welcome one into your home. There are few canines that exist today, that are as easily spotted as this breed. You will also find that after the summer, your GSD will start putting on his winter coat, which means losing the finer summertime hair. German Shepherds can have a variety of different coat colors. Bathe your dog once a month and use a mild dog shampoo that won't strip the coat from the natural oils that protect it. This usually impacts their skin underneath the fur, so fur loss is more of a by-product. There are some simple steps you can take on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to ensure that their fur is less likely to be left around your home, on your furniture, or on your clothing. They can also have blue coats, which are more accepted, but also rarer. But it’s not usually a need unless your dog isn’t on a diet that already contains adequate amounts of these nutrients. Look for a medium-length coat that’s less fluffy, and the fur will be less likely to show around your home. In reality, the long-haired GSDs shed as much. The double coat of a German Shepherd is an important feature of the breed. Their coats don’t vary by breed line, meaning both German Shepherds from American and European breed lines will shed just as much. 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. Dutch Shepherds will shed lightly to moderately year-round as hairs fall out and are continually replaced in both the outer coat and the undercoat. The only difference between the two is the top coat. There are both short and long answers to these questions, and we will cover all of them. A German Shepherd puppy starts life with a thick and fluffy coat that keeps him warm and safe. You can avoid as much coat-blowing with certain long-haired shepherds, although they are considered outside the breed standard. Love Your Dog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Basically this means they’ll lose a tremendous amount of hair within a very short period. As mentioned above, the color of your dog’s fur will not impact their shedding frequency. German Shepherds shed a lot, and they do it all year long. They aren’t too expensive, and your regular weekly brushing will be much easier. They shed their coat year-round, which is unlike many dog breeds who mainly shed a summer and winter coat. But that’s not a reason to avoid adopting one of these magnificent canines. Dogs with either coat have the same physiological structure and both have double coats: an undercoat and a top coat. How to Reduce German Shepherd's Shedding? Because you will see more hair falling out after the bath, it is always a good idea to deshed and brush your dog right after the bath (when the coat is completely dry). Be ready for the dog hair to be everywhere. Two short haired German Shepherds can generate a long haired progeny if the DNA that is found in their genes. It will be worse than the summer hair coming out because the winter coat is twice as thick. They are double-coated dogs, which means you’ll need to spend more time grooming during these times of the year. However, regular brushing, deshedding, and bathing your German Shepherd during their shedding seasons will help. Although our discussion centers upon shedding, these cyclical hormone changes and the stress it brings to your pet are one of many reasons to get your dog spayed. That’s why you need to be ready for frequent brushing. Mites live on the skin or hair, and they burrow and chew on the skin of the dog. If bathing once a month will give your dog dry and itchy skin, try to use an even milder shampoo and bathe your pet less frequently. You should make sure that protein comes first, followed by carbs, grains, fats, and veggies. Yes, your dog will shed more in both the summer and the winter. As a result, owners will have to deal with more shedding. Yes, they do — a lot. They like freedom. But they are not the easiest breed to train. So, if you’ve recently adopted a new German Shepherd puppy, or are considering the breed as a family pet, there’s some important information you’ll want to consider. We actually don’t recommend using an anti-shed shampoo for any dogs with extremely sensitive skin. This means that short haired German Shepherds can also carry the gene, without expressing it in their coats. German Shepherds are particularly notorious for being anxious when something in their life isn’t right. The good news is that even though German Shepherds shed, it’s fairly easy to manage. When the fall rolls around, this summer undercoat is dumped, and the thicker undercoat returns. They are best used during the coat blowing season, in winter and summer. The guard hair may be short, medium-length, or long depending on the type of coat your German Shepherd has. But outside of that, they shed fairly consistently. 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