What Makes Dogs Shed?

All dogs shed, but some shed more than others. Don't be fooled by claims of a "non-shedding" dog. There's no such beast, unless it's a bald one. There are breeds that shed very little. Conversely, there are breeds that shed a lot. The type of dog, the time of year, and the overall health of the animal indicate how much hair will be falling free.

  1. What Causes Dogs to Shed?

    • Dogs shed when new hair comes in and the old hair falls out. There are times when the shedding is more noticeable, such as in spring, when a dog sheds its winter coat. A dog that lives indoors year-round will not be as susceptible to the change in seasons, and therefore will not have as much seasonal shedding; the dog will shed naturally year-round.

      Temperature and light play a role. For example, some northern breeds are triggered to shed when it is lighter longer and temperatures climb. How much hair to expect depends to a degree on the breed of dog. Dogs with undercoats shed more often and in greater amounts.

      Hormones can affect how much a dog sheds. Hormones that can play a part include estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. Female dogs that are not spayed can shed more around the time of their cycle and while they are nursing a litter.

      Dogs with allergies can shed more because their skin is irritated. The healthier the dog's skin and hair, the less it should shed. Unhealthy hair becomes brittle and breaks off easily or falls out more often. A clean dog sheds less, too, as its hair is less likely to be matted. Dogs that are healthy typically do not shed as much as dogs with health problems or dogs harboring parasites.

    Boredom and Stress Increase Shedding

    • A dog sheds its winter coat in the spring.

      Some dogs shed when they are stressed. Stress affects their body chemistry and can lead to skin and hair problems. In addition, dogs that are bored might resort to licking themselves. It's a habit that creates bald spots and causes shedding in clumps.

    Reducing the Shedding Problem

    • Golden retrievers look like they shed a lot because their hair is so long.

      Grooming a dog will cut back on the shedding problem. The type of dog can help determine how often it should be brushed. Brushing a dog will loosen the hair and let you toss it in the garbage. Otherwise, the hair will just continue to fall out naturally -- all over the carpet and furniture.

    Abnormal Shedding Signals Health Problems

    • Excessive hair loss is the sign of a health problem.

      Excessive hair loss can be a sign of illness in a dog. Mange, cancer, lesions, ringworm, parasites and bacterial infections can exacerbate shedding. Patchy or bald spots are other signs of trouble and can be caused by Cushing's syndrome or hypothyroidism. Even poor nutrition can be the culprit. Hair loss coupled with lethargy is another signal that something is wrong with a dog's health. A veterinarian can diagnose the cause of the hair problem, and prescribe a course of treatment.

    Low-Shedding Breeds

    • A poodle is a low-shedding dog.

      People looking for a low-shedding dog should consider the following breeds: Yorkshire terrier, Brussels griffon, Chinese crested, Chinese shar-pei, Dandie Dinmont terrier, schnauzer, bichon frise, Bedlington terrier, affenpinscher, Irish water spaniel, American water spaniel, cairn terrier, Lakeland terrier, Maltese, poodle, Portuguese water dog, puli, wheaten terrier, Welsh terrier, Italian greyhound, Kerry blue terrier and mixes of those breeds.

      Often, low-shedding dogs must be clipped, as the hair continues to grow and can become quite matted.

      Long-haired dogs can appear to shed more than their short-haired counterparts. However, there just appears to be more hair because it's longer.