Do Dobermans Shed?
Are you considering adopting a bow-wow to protect your home and wondering, do Dobermans shed? If you have dog allergies, you’ll know how difficult it can be to live in a house with a dog that sheds a lot.
Fortunately, many breeds are hypoallergenic and won’t trigger allergy symptoms — but does that include the Doberman?
In this article we share whether Dobermans shed, what you can do to help and what you can expect from these fearless and loyal guard dogs.
Do Doberman Pinschers Shed?
Yes, they do — and that’s why they don’t fall into the hypoallergenic category.
The hairs shed by a Doberman are short, thick, and pointy. Many owners have compared their Doberman’s hairs to eyelashes, and they find the evidence of shedding lands mainly on the floor. Due to the composition, the hairs don’t tend to stick to clothes or upholstery as much as other breeds, like a Golden Retriever or Labrador, for example.
How Bad Do Dobermans Shed?
Owning a Doberman will trigger your dog allergies as they shed all year round. Yet, this breed doesn’t have a double coat, so you don’t need to worry about a massive seasonal fur ‘blowout’ twice a year.
While allergy sufferers may not experience as extreme symptoms as they would with other breeds, Dobermans do shed. Therefore, they aren’t suitable if you’re looking for an allergy-friendly breed.
How Do I Stop My Doberman From Shedding?
There is no way to stop a Doberman or any breed from shedding. However, there are things that you can do in order to manage their shedding more effectively.
1. Brushing
Dobermans must be groomed regularly to maintain their coat, but this can also help control their shedding.
You may be thinking that brushing their super short coat won’t make a difference. Yet, getting into a regular brushing routine with your dog will help immensely.
Dobermans are fairly straightforward dogs to brush. All you need is a pin brush, nothing fancy, and this will catch and remove any loose fur on a weekly basis.
2. Bathing
The next step in your reduce-shedding routine is bathing. Dobermans don’t require a bath every week, well, unless they roll into something unpleasant. Otherwise, a dip in the tub once a month will suffice. However, frequent bathing can cause their skin to dry out or become irritated.
A bath can help shake up any loose fur and remove it before it becomes a shedding nightmare around your home.
3. Shampoo
Dobermans are known for having sensitive skin, so you’ll need to choose the shampoo that you use carefully. Using general shampoo can cause irritation, which can lead to excessive fur loss.
Oatmeal shampoos are a suitable choice because they aren’t harsh, and can also calm irritated skin.
4. Diet
Many owners don’t think about their dog’s food, especially when it comes to how much they shed. But it‘s a key consideration for managing shedding.
If your dog is eating food high in nutrients such as omega 3 and omega 6, these will help to keep both their skin and coat in tip-top condition.
5. Supplements
On the other hand, if you feel that your dog food is lacking some essential vitamins and minerals, you can always add these as a supplement.
Omega 3 is one of the most common and popular supplements that owners offer their pets. Omega-3 fatty acids keep your dog’s coat healthy, which in turn, can limit excessive shedding, meaning that both you and your dog are happy.
Doberman Shed-Free Alternatives
Dobermans may not be hypoallergenic, but that doesn’t mean there are no dog breeds that are both good guard dogs and don’t shed. If you have dog allergies and also want a dog for protection, there are several breeds to choose from.
The main purpose of a guard dog is to deter intruders. A protective dog isn’t necessarily an aggressive dog, often these breeds look intimidating and bark a lot! A Doberman may not be suitable if you have allergies, but check out the breeds on this list of hypoallergenic guard dogs:
These dogs above don’t shed or drool much, therefore, won’t release much dander and trigger allergy symptoms. While these breeds can live happily in a family home, they also have what it takes to scare off an intruder to protect themselves and their family if necessary.
And, if these breeds don’t tick all your boxes, check out this complete list of medium-large-sized hypoallergenic dogs. There is the perfect hypoallergenic dog breed out there for everyone!
Conclusion
Doberman Pinschers do shed and will release dander into your home. And, while this breed doesn’t shed as much as other dogs of a similar size, they aren’t hypoallergenic and can cause allergy symptoms and skin irritation.
Do Dobermans shed? Yes, they do. However, if you only suffer from a mild dog allergy, you may be ok welcoming a Doberman Pinscher into your home. Dobermans are loyal and energetic dogs, and their alert personality means they’re pawsome guard dogs.
Do Dobermans Shed? FAQs
How Much Do Dobermans Shed?
Doberman Pinschers are mild to moderate shedders. This breed has a single short and smooth coat and doesn’t blow its coat when the seasons change. However, Dobermans do shed all through the year and the dander they release can trigger allergy symptoms. If you’re asking do Dobermans shed a lot, the answer is no, but they aren’t a hypoallergenic breed.
Do Dobermans Make Good House Dogs?
Yes, Dobermans can live happily inside the home and will not cause much disruption to your lifestyle. Dobermans are content being a part of the family, they’re a loyal and adaptable breed and will also offer great protection if you need a guard dog.
Are Dobermans High Maintenance?
Doberman Pinschers are low maintenance with regards to grooming. This breed only needs brushing around once a week and they don’t have a typical ‘dog smell’ either. However, Dobermans are the opposite when it comes to exercise, these dogs need around 2 hours of exercise a day and may not suit pet parents with a busy lifestyle.
Do Dobermans Get a Winter Coat?
No, Dobermans have the same coat all year round and don’t shed for the seasons. As in, a Doberman won’t grow a thicker coat for the colder winter months.
Are Dobermans Hypoallergenic?
Dobermans have a short and smooth coat that is beautiful and shiny but, unfortunately, it isn’t hypoallergenic. These dogs shed all year round, meaning they are not an allergy-friendly dog breed.
How Much Do Dobermans Shed?
Doberman Pinschers are mild to moderate shedders. This breed has a single short and smooth coat and doesn’t blow its coat when the seasons change. However, Dobermans do shed all through the year and the dander they release can trigger allergy symptoms. If you’re asking do Dobermans shed a lot, the answer is no, but they aren’t a hypoallergenic breed.
Do Dobermans Make Good House Dogs?
Yes, Dobermans can live happily inside the home and will not cause much disruption to your lifestyle. Dobermans are content being a part of the family, they’re a loyal and adaptable breed and will also offer great protection if you need a guard dog.
Are Dobermans High Maintenance?
Doberman Pinschers are low maintenance with regards to grooming. This breed only needs brushing around once a week and they don’t have a typical ‘dog smell’ either. However, Dobermans are the opposite when it comes to exercise, these dogs need around 2 hours of exercise a day and may not suit pet parents with a busy lifestyle.
Do Dobermans Get a Winter Coat?
No, Dobermans have the same coat all year round and don’t shed for the seasons. As in, a Doberman won’t grow a thicker coat for the colder winter months.
Are Dobermans Hypoallergenic?
Dobermans have a short and smooth coat that is beautiful and shiny but, unfortunately, it isn’t hypoallergenic. These dogs shed all year round, meaning they are not an allergy-friendly dog breed.
