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How to Manage Shedding in Large Dog Breeds (A Complete Guide)
If you're reading this and you're covered in dog hair, then you're not alone. While we love our big dogs, they come with big personalities and a big amount of loose hair! Managing your pooch's shedding helps keep them comfortable and keeps your house clean. We've picked up a range of practical and effective tips to help manage your dog's shedding, so you can leave the house without reminders of your dog's love all over your clothes.
Why Do Large Dog Breeds Shed More?
Wondering why your large dog sheds so much? Larger dogs have a bigger body surface area, which means more skin and more hair follicles. As seasons change, large dogs, especially those with double coats, shed to adjust their coat thickness, so they can better regulate their body temperature.
Understanding Different Coat Types and Their Shedding Patterns
There are a range of coat types found amongst larger dog breeds, including double coats, medium coats, short coats, rough coats, smooth coats, wire coats and curly coats. The longer the coat, the more a dog will typically shed. Double-coated dogs like Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, and long-coated dogs like a Yorkshire Terrier or a Shih Tzu, shed lots of hair year-round. Medium-coated dogs like Border Collies, short-coated dogs like Beagles, and rough-coated dogs like Rough Collies all shed a decent amount, but their shedding is less noticeable.
Wiry-coated dogs like Wire Fox Terriers and Schnauzers, and curly-coated dogs like Poodles, meanwhile, tend not to shed much. Instead, they'll need regular grooming or hand-stripping to remove any dead hairs. Whatever large dog breed you have, investing in a quality broom (or pet vacuum) can help manage dog shedding, keep your home clean, and your sanity intact!
Common Shedding Problems Faced by Owners of Large Dogs
One thing about large dog breeds? Shedding is guaranteed. Alongside this are a few problems you might run into. These include:
- Finding fur around your house: This can make cleaning feel impossible!
- Clogged vacuum cleaners: Pet-safe vacuums are designed to help you deal with your pooch's hair.
- Allergens: Dog hair can cause you or any guests to have an allergic reaction
It's not just us who can be impacted by excessive shedding, though. Shedding can affect your dog's health if not properly managed. In large dog breeds, shedding can cause loose hair to mat, creating knots in your dog's coat. It can also cause skin irritation, leading to excessive scratching, and in severe cases, infection. If your dog is shedding, it's best to brush them regularly to help avoid these potential issues.
Effective Grooming Techniques to Control Shedding
Wondering how to manage your dog's hair shedding? Brushing, bathing, and trimming your large dog can help you control how much they shed. Depending on your dog's coat type, you'll want to approach things slightly differently.
Double-coated dogs: You can use a slicker brush and undercoat rake to remove any loose hair, while you can use a comb to reduce any mats and tangles. Use shampoos and conditioners that are designed to help you de-shed and moisturise your dog's coat, to keep it healthy.
Long-coated dogs: Like with a double-coated dog, a slicker brush and de-shedding rake can help you keep shedding under control. A de-shedding shampoo may just be your dog's new best friend.
Smooth-coated dogs: While they don't tend to shed as much as other types, smooth-coated dogs do still shed regularly. A soft brush once or twice a week can help you remove your smooth-coated dog's loose hairs. During peak shedding periods, washing your dog with dog-specific shampoo can help keep their skin and coat healthy.
Generally, brushing your large dog every few days can keep their shedding under control, while you'll want to bathe them every few weeks (washing them too often can strip their skin and coat of their natural oils). During seasonal shedding (more on that a little bit), you'll want to pay extra attention to how often you groom your large dog. Daily grooming during these times can help you manage your dog's shedding, keeping both you and them happy!
Dietary and Health Factors That Influence Shedding
Your dog's diet can also impact how much they shed. Making sure your dog gets lots of protein and nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids helps to promote a healthy coat and reduce the amount they shed. Dehydration can also cause your dog to shed more, so it's important to track how much water they're drinking each day.
If you're worried about your large dog's shedding, then it's worth speaking to your vet. They can perform a range of tests, like blood tests and allergen tests, to help you understand why your dog may be shedding so much. They'll also be able to provide dietary recommendations to help improve your dog's skin and coat health, if that does become a concern.
Environmental and Lifestyle Tips to Minimise Shedding Impact
Sick of finding your dog's hair throughout your house? Regular vacuuming/sweeping can help you manage things day-to-day. If your dog seasonally sheds, or your dog's having a shedding blowout during spring and autumn, then you'll need to increase what you're doing to manage their shedding. Grooming and brushing your dog can help you capture your dog's loose hair before it ends up all over your furniture.
Regular exercise, as well as keeping on top of your dog's hygiene, can help them shed healthily. The healthier your dog is, the healthier their coat will be, which keeps shedding to a manageable level. However, it's worth remembering that in large dog breeds, shedding is natural, so you likely won't be able to put a stop to it altogether.
How Seasonal Changes Affect Shedding in Large Dogs
During spring and autumn, double-coated dogs go through a shedding cycle called 'blowing coat'. This leads to more loose fur around your home than usual, which can make cleaning up difficult! Dogs blow out their coat due to changes in temperature, from warm to cold or vice versa. Their coats are typically thicker in winter, so by the time spring rolls around, you can expect this blowout to be larger.
Keeping an eye on these seasonal changes and staying on top of grooming, such as daily brushing, during these transitional periods, can help you better manage your dog's shedding. You can also work with a professional groomer, who will use undercoat shampoos and brushes to help with this process. A good pet-safe vacuum can be a lifesaver during seasonal shedding cycles, too, as well as a lint roller!
Tools and Products That Help Reduce Shedding
Thankfully, there is a range of tools available to help manage dog shedding. These include:
-De-shedding brushes, like pin brushes or slicker brushes
-Grooming gloves, which are an easy way to collect loose hair
-Shedding blades, which can help tidy up the undercoat of double-coated dogs
There is also a range of shampoos, conditioners, and sprays that are designed to improve your dog's coat health and reduce the amount of loose hair they're producing.
If your dog's double-coated, like a Golden Retriever or German Shepherd, a grooming rake and slicker brush can help you manage their shedding, while a pin brush and rake can help keep your long-coated dog, like an Afghan Hound or an Old English Sheepdog, looking their best.
The Role of Hydration in Maintaining a Healthy Coat
While we can take it for granted, proper hydration is vital to your dog's skin and coat health. Dehydration can cause dry skin, which can then cause excessive shedding. To ensure your dog is properly hydrated, they need to drink about 50–80 mL of water per kilo of body weight daily. A 30kg dog, for example, needs about 1.5–2.4 L a day, which means plenty of bowls of water!
Does your dog love the outdoors? Active large dogs require more water than couch potatoes, so always keep their water bowl topped up. Frozen treats, like frozen fruits and vegetables, are a great source of hydration, alongside wet food, especially during those warmer months.
When to Consult a Vet About Shedding Issues
While you'll most likely be able to manage your large dog breed's shedding at home, sometimes, professional help is needed. If you see any symptoms like:
-Bald patches
-Excessive itching
-Skin redness
-Skin infections
There may be underlying health problems that are exacerbating your dog's shedding. Getting professional help early can help keep your dog looking and feeling their best.
Keep Shedding Under Control in Large Dog Breeds
Managing shedding can keep both your dog's coat healthy and your home free of excess fur. When you're regularly grooming your pooch, you're helping keep them healthy and happy, reducing matting and skin irritation. You're also helping your household stay allergy-free. Everyone wins.
If you're looking for more grooming tips, advice on grooming tools, or to get your pup professionally groomed, then we're here to help. We specialise in grooming larger dog breeds, and we can help you manage your dog's shedding, no matter the time of year. To book in your furry friend for some much-needed TLC, get in touch today!
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