How Long Will My Dog's Hair Continue to Shed?

Unless you have a completely hairless dog, your dog will always shed. Some breeds shed much more than others, and dogs with long hair are perceived to shed more because longer hairs fall out. Certain factors can influence how much your dog will shed and when it could shed more or less, but your dog will continue to shed as long as it has hair.

  1. Why Dogs Shed

    • Just like humans, dogs shed to make room for new hair growth. As the new, healthy hair comes in, the older hair falls out. When dogs scratch, they are helping the older hair fall out to make room for the new hair. The old hair that falls out has stopped growing; if it didn't fall, the healthy new hair would have no place to grow.

    Seasonal Factors

    • The seasons play a factor in dogs' shedding as well. In the spring, when the weather becomes warmer, outside dogs will shed their winter coats. This is the time of the year when your dog will shed the most. If you have an inside dog regulated by inside temperature, it will not have the drastic temperature changes to face like outside dogs will. These inside dogs will shed all year long as new hair comes in.

    Importance of Grooming

    • If you have a long-haired dog that sheds all the time, you must brush it every day. Doing so will get rid of that old hair and make room for the new hair to grow. By getting the hair out of the skin with the brush, you are preventing it from falling on your sofa, carpet and clothes. Dogs that are brushed every day are less likely to shed and also smell better. The old dead hair begins to smell; if you get rid of it every day, you won't have that smell.

    Physical Problems

    • If your dog suddenly begins shedding a lot more than normal despite the lack of any recent season or temperature changes, seek the help of a veterinarian immediately. Many medical problems could cause your dog to start losing its hair. Ringworm, skin infections and even cancer can all cause this sensation.