Do German Shepherds Shed?
A German Shepherd is the second-most-popular dog breed in the United States, behind only the Labrador Retriever. They make excellent pets for families and are ideal additions to any home with the time and energy required to satisfy their needs.
If you’re considering the possibility of bringing home a German Shepherd, you probably have lots of questions. One most important of them may include: “Do German Shepherds shed?”
Let’s talk about whether you should, when, and just how much shed German Shepherds, as well as grooming and nutritional methods you can employ to minimize the amount of fur flying around your home.
Do German Shepherds Shed?
Yes. German Shepherds shed a tiny of their coats throughout the year, and it is common for them to “blow” their undercoat anywhere between one and four times a year as the seasons change.
For the most part of the year, you’ll only see some hairs left when your dog is standing up and walking around. However, a German Shephard blowing their coat can leave the scent of fur tumbling throughout your home.
How Much Do German Shepherds Shed?
It’s a fact the German Shepherd sheds lots. Most of the time, the shed is easy to manage with a couple of brushes per week; however, at least once a year, the dog will shed all their undercoats at once.
At this point, it could take up to an hour of brushing to eliminate most of the fur clumps that have fallen out to prevent fur tumbleweeds from making your house look like a Wild West town.
Professional groomers have additional equipment to remove as much undercoat as possible, including a high-speed drying device.
If used outdoors when outside, a high-speed dog dryer can blow huge amounts of undercoat off your German Shepherd’s coat more gently and effectively than any other brush.
Are There Any Non-Shedding German Shepherds?
All German Shepherds wear two coats. They have an outer coat to protect the dog’s skin from the elements and an underneath coat that provides extra insulation in certain seasons. The coat sheds once it’s no longer required.
When Does a German Shepherd Shed? Is There a Shedding Season?
German Shepherds shed often; however, they shed their coats more frequently than once or twice during the year, usually around changes in the weather.
The most significant shed of the season typically happens when spring changes into summer when the body temperature increases. However, any seasonal change can trigger your Shepherd to “blow” their undercoat.
Do German Shepherd Coats shed more than others?
All German Shepherds shed, regardless of their coat’s color or length. That being said, long-haired German Shepherds may develop mattes when they blow their coats when they aren’t groomed quickly enough and therefore require more active brushing than dogs with a typical shorter coat.
The German Shepherd Coat
A coat for GSDs has coarse hairs on the outer coat, which protect the dog’s skin from the sun, burrs, insects, and other irritating substances, and a soft undercoat that helps to provide insulation in certain seasons. It also “blows out” after each season.
Although the coarse guard hairs are shed occasionally, the majority of the hair shed is the undercoat, which is fluffy.
6 Tips for Managing German Shepherd Shedding
Although you cannot prevent your Shepherd from shedding, there are some actions you can take to lessen the impact the shed of your GSD affects your home.
#1 – Keep Your Dog as Healthy as Possible
Although there isn’t much you can do, it is possible to lessen how much fur your dog sheds during the blowout season. You can take a few actions to lessen the amount the German Shepherd sheds throughout the rest of all year. One thing that you could do is ensure that your dog stays as fit as possible.
Feed your pet with a better diet
One of the best suggestions is to put aside a little more money to feed your pet with a better diet. (Check for our tips for dog food for big dogs) What’s the reason?
Food for dogs that is cheap can be akin to the price of human food junk. It is made of inferior ingredients and lots of fillers that can keep your dog satiated but have no nutritional value.
If you’re not aware of the health risks people who consume too much junk food may endure, you should watch the documentary ” Super Size Me.” Dogs are able to be affected by the same issues, and shedding is just one of the side effects of eating a poor diet.
Put Them On A Flea and Tick Preventative
Another option to limit the amount your pet sheds is to make sure they’re in a flea and tick preventative such as Seresto and Frontline Plus. Infestations with fleas can trigger intense itching. The more your GSD scratch themselves in the process, the more hair they’ll release from their fur and up into the air in your home.
A common cause of dogs’ itching can be the presence of a food allergy. Corn, grains, beef, and chicken are certain ingredients likely to trigger allergies in dogs. If your veterinarian has cleared the air of any fleas or skin conditions and food allergies are the cause, they could cause your dog to feel itchy more than normal.
If you think your dog suffers from allergies to food, hypoallergenic food for dogs can assist you in determining what ingredients can be causing problems for your dog.
While few commercial ingredient diets are available, it is also possible to cook your pet’s food at home to know exactly what ingredients are in the food. Take a look at our suggestions for the most delicious homemade recipes for dog food here.
Did you realize the fact that anxiety can lead to sheds? You might have noticed that hair falls out more frequently when you’re stressed. The same thing happens with your puppy. When your German Shepherd doesn’t get enough exercise or stimulation for its brain, boredom can cause stress resulting in sheds.
There is nothing better than an extended walk or run in the park for dogs. Playful doggie toys can aid in keeping you, and your German Shepherd entertained when you need to let them go. Puzzle toys can keep your dog’s mind active and can help decrease stress and boredom.
#2 – Visit Your Vet Regularly
Certain health issues, such as hypothyroidism, may cause excessive shed. Going to the vet at a minimum once per year can help detect serious health issues before they get more severe. Not only will this decrease the amount of hair the German Shepherd sheds, but it could also improve the duration and overall quality of the dog’s life.
#3 – Brush Your German Shepherd Often
The best method to limit the amount of hair your dog sheds all over your house is to regularly groom and brush them to get rid of undercoat before it is blown out on their own.
However, some of the most shedding tools to think about owning are:
Different tools can remove various layers of hair. Using certain tools can often cause bald spots; therefore, it is recommended to switch between different tools to get the hair out of your dog with the least risk of irritation to its skin.
#4 – Give Your Dog an Omega-3 Supplement
Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that helps improve your dog’s skin as well as coat. Although many dog food brands claim to have omega-3 in them, it’s frequently damaged in preparation. It’s important that your dog has the proper amount of omega-6 in the mix, and the majority of canines are far excessively rich in omega-6.
#5 – Bathe Your GSD Regularly
One of the most effective methods of getting hair out of your dog without having it tossed around the house is by giving them a nice bath, especially when you massage them using a curry brush made of rubber while they soak in conditioner or shampoo.
If you clean the Shepherd in the tub, make sure you put hair traps inside the drain to avoid blocking your plumbing from all the fur you wash off your pet.
This is particularly relevant if you use a shower head to rinse shampoo and hair better than simply pouring water over your pet with an empty pitcher.
One cautionary note: washing your German Shepherd’s coat more often than once each month can dry their skin and trigger more shed. If you decide to clean your dog more often than once each month, you should be certain to apply soft shampoo and conditioner to reduce the chance of drying your dog’s skin.
#6 – Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Dry skin can cause shedding. Your skin may begin to dry out when you do not drink enough water. This is a similar case to your German Shepherd.
Be sure that your dog has clean water available. If you are concerned that your dog isn’t drinking enough water, include canned food that is moist or certain fruits and veggies (like bananas, cucumbers, and apple slices with no seeds) in their diet to boost their intake of water.
Can I Shave my Shepherd to Reduce Shedding?
If you’re tired of your German Shepherd’s shed, it can be tempting to abandon regular grooming and trim them down to decrease the amount of hair strewn around your home. This isn’t a great decision for several reasons.
- German Shepherds require their furs to guard them against elements. Along with opening your dog’s risk of getting sunburned, shaving the hair of a GSD will also increase the chance of suffering from a heat stroke as you’ve removed one of their methods to regulate their temperature.
- Repetitive shaving could damage the German Shepherd’s coat. This is particularly true in the event that your dog is suffering from or develops certain health issues. Post-clipping is a major issue in double-coated dogs. It can cause hair to grow back in patches or swollen, or even completely.
- The German Shepherd will shed, but the hairs are just smaller. Although this could be an excellent thing, learn advice from a former groomer, short hair makes dog hair splinter more than natural shed hairs, and splinters could get stuck in your clothes or furniture and make it more difficult to get them out.
Wrapping Up German Shepherd Shedding
In short German Shepherd shed, however, there are some things you can do to lessen the effects of their shed throughout your home. If you’re not able to stand the thought of having hairy dogs within your home, don’t let their sheds hinder you from inviting a GSD to your home in the event that you think they’re the perfect breed to bring home your family.
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