What Puppies Shed?

All puppies shed some of their fur. That being said, there are some dog breeds that shed more fur than others, especially the ones that come from cold northern climates. Most puppies don't start shedding until they are at least six months old, when their puppy coat makes way for adult fur.

  1. German Shepherds

    • Even tiny German shepherds have the potential to be great shedders.

      German shepherds have a thick double coat, and that double coat "blows" or sheds extremely heavily at least twice a year, depending on the climate. It may take a year before the first coat blow, but in the meantime you can teach your German shepherd puppy to love being brushed. Once that undercoat starts to go, you will need to brush your dog every day to keep the fur from getting everywhere.

    Collies and Shelties

    • These collie puppies will be master shedders by the time they're a year old.

      Lassie may look awesome with that huge ruff of fur around her neck and chest, but that fur has to shed sometime. Shetland sheep dogs, or shelties, have the same coat pattern and thickness as rough-coated collies (like Lassie) and are prodigious shedders. If you or your dinner guests do not like to think of shed collie or sheltie fur as a tasty condiment, avoid these breeds.

    Northern Breeds

    • Cute face, major shed potential

      Dogs that were bred to withstand living outdoors in subzero weather, like Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies, shed that extra-thick undercoat in more moderate climates as fast as a diva dismisses last year's fashions. In fact, they shed so much you can save their fur and have it spun into enough yarn to knit a sweater.

    Beagles

    • Beagle shedding season is year round

      With their short coat, beagles don't release long hairs, but they have one shedding season: it starts in early January and ends in late December. Because of their coloring -- black, brown and white -- some shed beagle fur is guaranteed to show prominently on whatever outfit you've chosen to wear or whatever sofa you've purchased -- whether they're allowed to snuggle with you or sleep on the couch or not.