6 Most Shedding Dog Breeds Found in India

Every dog has a shedding season. Shedding is a natural phenomenon in which dogs shed the dead and damaged hair off their coats. It happens across all breeds, but its frequency and magnitude depend on factors like climate, nutrition, and medical & hygienic conditions; and that is why shedding needs to be monitored carefully.

The quantity of hair that your dog sheds can say a lot about their health. It is a well-known concept that normally, healthier dogs shed less. Good nutrition and healthy & hygienic conditions ensure that hair growth and fiber strength remain intact. They also keep your pet away from illnesses like rashes, ticks, flea, worms, etc., which may cause increased shedding.

Shedding is perfectly natural, but it can be inconvenient for pet parents who have reactions to the allergen particles released with shedding.

In the following list, we have put together 6 dog breeds that shed the most, to help you know what to expect with these sheddy boys!

1. Labradors

Despite being a short haired breed, Labradors shed a lot throughout the year; even more profusely so, twice a year during the spring and autumn. This is so because even though their hair is short, they are highly dense. Further, they boast a double coat of hair; the outer one is waterproof, and the inner one gives them warmth. Labradors shed so much you might want to keep your vacuum cleaners ready before their shedding season!
 

2. Golden Retrievers

Like Labradors, Golden Retrievers are known for profuse shedding throughout the year. Their golden coat requires high maintenance, and if you have a golden retriever, you will be sure to find their hair EVERYWHERE. Also blessed with a double coat like Labradors, Goldens in warmer areas shed a lot more than those in colder regions. They are known for shedding a lot to maintain their body temperatures in warmer climates. They need to be brushed day in and day out to make sure their dense coat stays infection free.
 

3. Beagles

Known for being notoriously smart and playful, Beagles have dense and short hair. It is because of the length of their hair that they are often mistaken as dogs who don’t shed. But like all dogs, beagles shed; and a lot at that. Another one with the double coat feature, beagles are known for shedding in spring. This is so because the length of their hair increases in winter for providing them with warmth and automatically starts shedding off as its requirement eases.
 

4. Siberian Huskies

Don’t let their hypnotic eyes and soft overcoats fool you. Huskies shed a LOT. Originally meant for the colder climates, this breed is slowly making its way into desi households – with subtropical to tropical temperatures. As a result of this habitat change, huskies shed to get rid of their hair to stay cooler. If you’re planning to get a husky, be prepared to find his hair everywhere he goes. To keep shedding under control, they need to be brushed AND vacuumed daily to make sure they don’t over-shed.
 

5. Saint Bernards

This breed is known for being an excellent family dog. Even more so, Saint Bernards fit into any family, be it joint or nuclear, because of how low maintenance their breed is. While many pet bloggers believe that they need a little exercise, they forget to tell you how high maintenance their coats are. Saint Bernards shed a lot of hair, especially during the spring and autumn. They need to be brushed at least 4 times a week to make sure their coat stays free from infection.
 

6. German Shepherds

They are more commonly known as ‘German Shedders’ because of a very simple reason; they shed too much. With this breed, you need to be prepared to brush their coat every day. When you have a GSD, you cannot afford to miss a day of brushing their hair to make sure their skin retains a no infection status.
 
 
The golden rule about shedding is simple: too much shedding is bad. If your dog is shedding too much, it could be indicative of a health problem. As a responsible pet parent, you need to monitor your pet’s shedding pattern and go to the vet immediately if you find that your pet is shedding too much, or if patches of skin start surfacing.

If your dog is on a shedding spree, it could be due to one of the following reasons:

• Nutrition: Nutrition is the key to your pet’s health. What goes into your dog’s food, needs to be carefully monitored to ensure that he/she stays away from issues that may be disruptive to growth. For a beautiful, shiny coat, a dog’s diet must be rich in minerals like zinc, iodine, and selenium; Vitamins A, D, E and K and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Not only do these ensure an active immune system, but also a flawless and healthy skin and coat. Ensuring this dietary balance could sometimes be tricky, that’s why our meals are carefully pawcrafted to ensure that your dog grows the wings he deserves.
   
• Medical: Hormones have an important role to play when it comes to skin. Female pets are prone to hormonal imbalances at the time of heat. The imbalance of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone hormones have been known to cause shedding in dogs. Make sure that you pay a visit to your vet in case you find something irregular about your dog’s shedding pattern; as it could have to do with his/her hormones.
   
• Skin Infections: Skin infections are very common in dogs. A lot of people suspect that only outdoor agents are responsible for these, but some indoor agents like floor cleaners, phenyl and unhygienic growth like fungus can act as irritants, and cause a lot of shedding. If your dog likes to swim, you need to make sure that when you get home, you wash his coat with clean water, and dry it with care. Always be on the lookout for rashes! If you find a suspicious rash, go see a vet immediately.
  

  MUST READ: Your Complete Guide To Skin Care in Dogs

• Products: Microbeads and fillers present in shampoos and soaps have a tendency to remain in your dog’s coat. This is why you need to make sure that whenever you take your pet for their wash, their coat is devoid of any kind of chemical agents.
   
• Lack of Grooming: Brushing your pet’s coat is a very healthy exercise. If your pet sheds a lot you might want to do this on a daily basis. Not only does this brush out the dust and particulate matter that gets settled on the coat, but also removes the decaying and dead hair, allows ventilation to the inner skin and coat, and in turn causes less shedding.
  

  ALSO READ: Gordon’s Gotta Glow: Grooming tips to keep your dog healthy

Good food is at the heart of good health. Researchers say that most of the ailments that dogs face are because of food-related discrepancies. If your pet is undergoing shedding issues, make sure he’s eating right. Our meals come in ready-to-serve individual packs, that make feeding so simple. All you have to do is pour, stir and watch your dog lick the bowl squeaky clean!

Start today, so that your baby gets the right nutrition and you get a good night’s sleep.