Dogs are wonderful pets, but if they’re not hypoallergenic, you may find yourself surrounded by fur.
However, if you know the answer to when do dogs shed? It may help you to prepare better for peak periods. What’s more, it can also help you determine whether your dog has another underlying issue.
The first question a lot of people ask is…
This is down to your dog’s breed and the type of coat they have.
While there are exceptions, dogs with a double coat tend to be seasonal shedders and blow their coats twice a year. In contrast, single coated canines generally shed all year round, albeit in much smaller amounts. This means:
- For seasonal-shedding canines — you’ll start to see them shedding in either the spring or fall.
- All-year-round shedders — should be a continuous cycle.
This depends on when their adult coat starts coming in.
Again, timings are breed based. But generally, puppies start shedding that coat from around 4-6 months of age. That said, some breeds are late developers, and it could take a year or more for their full adult coat to appear.
What’s more, you may not even notice some pups going through the ‘change,’ whereas others will be highly noticeable.
For example, if you have a short-coated pup, like a French Bulldog or Basset Hound, the change will be very slight and hardly noticeable. However, if your dog has a long coat, such as the Afghan Hound or Samoyed, their coat change may be more dramatic. In that, they could go through a stage known as ‘the uglies’ — this is where they may look a little disheveled and scruffy for a time.
For year-round shedders, as mentioned, it’s an everyday occurrence. However, for seasonal shedding dogs, you’ll find the hair/fur loss rate picks up during the autumn and springtime.
You see, as the temperatures begin to rise, your furry friend adjusts accordingly by losing a lot of their undercoat — thinning it out makes it lighter, so they don’t get as hot. It’s akin to us packing away that thick sweater for the summer.
However, in the autumn, your dog will also shed a decent amount to make way for that new coat that’ll keep them nice and warm during the winter.
Remember, this is completely dependent on what breed of dog you have. So, when asking the question, when is shedding season for dogs? — it’s important to take your breed into account.
When Do Huskies Shed?
If a husky is your choice of breed, you’ll be happy to know that they only shed twice a year — but when the time comes, you may not be jumping for joy. This is frequently known as “blowing the coat.” It typically occurs in the spring and then in the autumn — like other double-coated dogs.
It takes around 3-5 weeks for the husky to shed their winter coat. But of course, this is completely variable — some may shed faster or vice versa.
Husky pups won’t start getting their adult double coat until they’re around 10-14 months.
When Do Golden Retrievers Shed?
These dogs have a waterproof double coat that sheds all year round, but in much smaller amounts. You may also notice a slight increase during the spring and fall for around 3 weeks.
Your Golden Retriever should start shedding between the six and 12-month mark. This is when they’ll be losing their puppy coat and bringing on their thick adult coat.
When Do German Shepherds Shed?
The German Shepherd is another shedding machine. Now, it’s certain that GSDs do shed a lot, which is perhaps why they’re often called German Shedders.
These dogs have an undercoat, thus are seasonal shedders and blow their coats biannually — in the spring and fall. At these times you can expect your dog to lose a huge amount of fur — more than you can imagine. Your puppy will get its adult coat between 8 weeks and 6 months.
During these seasons you can expect the shedding to last for around 10 days, but this does vary.
When Do Labradors Shed?
Don’t let the short coat of a Labrador fool you into thinking that these are not high shedding canines. These gorgeous and intelligent dogs have a double coat that helps keep them warm and dry when they’re out working in all weather. They get their adult coat around 4-5 months old — and then the shedding begins.
So, if you’re wondering, when do labs shed the most? They’re seasonal shedders and blow their coats twice a year, during the fall and spring. This intense shedding typically lasts for around 2-3 weeks at a time.
When Do Poodles Shed?
The Poodle is a low-shedding dog that has hair rather than fur. This means their coat continually grows and will require maintenance to keep it tidy. They get their adult coats between 6-14 months old.
Their curly coat doesn’t shed excessively, and as long as it’s well-maintained with regular brushing and bathing, you won’t notice huge amounts of hair around your home. This is also why they’re incredible dogs for those with allergies.
No. You can’t — it’s a natural process.
However, if shedding is a big problem or setback for you adopting a pooch, it may be worth considering a hypoallergenic dog. These canines don’t shed as much as others. Hence, will decrease your exposure to possible allergens, etc.
That said, if you’ve fallen in love with a fluffy fur ball, there are things that you can do to decrease — or manage — the amount of hair flying around. These include:
- Regular brushing.
- Deshedding your dog.
- Feeding your pooch a well-balanced diet.
- Offer supplements, like omega 3, for a boost of nutrients.
Get them checked out by your vet for allergies or other medical conditions — if you feel their shedding is out of the ordinary.
Conclusion
Dog shedding really does depend on the breed of dog you have — some, like the Scottie, Spanish Water Dog, and the Giant Schnauzer, don’t shed much or often at all. But there are key times of the year when those double-coated dogs, like the Malamute, Husky, and Chow Chow, really go to town on the shedding.
So, if you’re still wondering when do dogs shed? The fur fallout can commence anytime from 4-6 months upwards. Some dogs will shed throughout the year, and others will shed the most twice yearly in readiness for the winter and the summer. We hope this article has helped you understand why and when dogs shed!
How Often Do Dogs Shed a Year?
Dogs will most likely shed between once and twice every year depending on their coat type. Double-coated dogs will have their seasonal blowout twice a year, for example. But bear in mind, you’ll still find hair dotted around your house all year round.
What Month Do Dogs Shed In?
Dogs will shed the most in March to be in their summer-ready coat by June. They’ll also start shedding from September in preparation for their winter coat in November time.
What Makes Dogs Shed?
Many factors can trigger dogs to shed, some of these include:
- Temperature.
- Allergies.
- Pregnancy.
Do Healthy Dogs Tend To Shed More?
Shedding is not unhealthy, and it’s important to remember this! However, if your dog is shedding more than normal, this could be a sign something isn’t right. The following can be the cause of excessive shedding:
- Using the wrong shampoo.
- Stress.
- Low-quality food.
- Illness.
Which Dogs Shed the Most?
Some of the highest-shedding dogs are:
You can learn more in our guide on the Worst Dog Breeds for Allergies.
When Do Dogs Shed Their Winter Coat?
The winter coat itself is normally lost during those spring months, as that summer coat comes in. This winter coat is replaced with a much lighter and shorter coat, ready for the holidays!
