Dog Shedding FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

All dogs shed and that’s natural. There is no such entity as non-shedding dogs. However, some dog breeds shed less and are considered hypoallergenic.

Dog breeds that do not shed much are:

• Afghan Hound
• Bichon Frise
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Shih Tzu
• American Hairless Terrier
• Cairn Terrier
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Poodle
• Maltese
• Coton de Tulear
• Scottish Terrier
• Lhasa Apso
• Havanese
• Basenji
• Bedlington Terrier

Shedding in dogs is a natural process and it’s a way of getting rid of old and damaged hair and be ready for the new hair to grow. You can decrease the level of shedding in dogs by proper maintenance and keeping the skin and hair healthy.

You can do the following to stop a dog from shedding:

• Brush the hair regularly using the right brushes for his coat type. Bristle brush suits all hair types.
• Bath your furry friend regularly with a good dog-friendly shampoo.
• Add fish oil or coconut oil to your dog’s diet to keep his coat shiny and
• Keep your dog well hydrated.
• Add omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids along with vitamin E supplement for a coat with healthy sheen.
• Check for fleas and ticks regularly and take necessary action.
• Regularly check for any medical illnesses that can cause excess shedding and consult your vet.

Shedding is normal in all dog breeds and it is the natural way of getting rid of old and unhealthy hair. If your dog shows abnormal shedding symptoms, you must check for any underlying abnormalities.

Some medical conditions like thyroid imbalance may cause abnormal shedding. Fungal and bacterial infections, parasitic infections like tick and flea infections will lead to abnormal shedding. Stress and sunburn may also cause shedding in dogs.

Bernese Mountain dogs are double-coated dog breeds with a wooly undercoat and a longer outer coat. They do shed a lot like many double-coated dogs. During spring and fall, they tend to shed heavily.

According to the AKC report, Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more heavily than 90% of the recognized dog breeds. Regular grooming is the only way to minimize excessive shedding. You can add olive oil to your dog’s food for a healthy coat.

Here is the list of dogs that shed the least –

• Afghan Hound
• Bichon Frise
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Maltese
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Poodle
• American Hairless Terrier
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Kerry Blue Terrier
• Bedlington Terrier
• Spanish Water Dog
• Standard Schnauzer

Some dog breeds shed a lot throughout the year and shed very heavily during spring and fall. The worst shedding dog breeds are –

• Labrador Retriever
• Golden retriever
• Akita
• Siberian husky
• Alaskan Husky
• Alaskan Malamute
• German Shepherd
• Chow Chow
• Saint Bernard
• Great Pyrenees

All dog breeds shed and no dog is a hypoallergenic dog. All dog breeds let off their damaged and old hair regularly. However, single-coated dogs shed a little compared to double-coated dog breeds. Well-groomed, well-maintained, and well-fed dogs shed less compared to non-maintained dogs.

Low shedding dogs work best to keep the house and furniture hair-free, and thereby reducing allergies.