Last Updated on October 24, 2022 by ellen
How much do German Shepherds shed? If you’re new to owning a German Shepherd, you may have asked yourself this question after seeing hairballs on your floor or carpet. Since German Shepherds have very dense short fur, many people assume that they will not shed but this is simply not true. You will be sweeping, vacuuming, and lint rolling your clothes regularly as a German Shepherd owner.
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How Much Do German Shepherds Shed
So, how often do German Shepherds shed? German Shepherds as a breed were originally used as herding animals. Their dense coat of fur was intended to protect them from the cold temperatures in the winter months. The thick fur helped them to regulate their body temperature. And, while it was needed during the harsh winter months, it was not needed during the warmer summer months.
German Shepherds have an outer coat and undercoat. You should expect to see your German Shepherd shed year round. But, you will see the heaviest shedding when they dump their winter coat in the summer. This helps them to stay cool in the heat. You will see the least amount of shedding in the winter when they need a heavier coat to protect them from the cold. But, you will still need to vacuum year round.
German Shepherd Shedding Tips
Of course, there are things that you can do to help control the amount your German Shepherd sheds. German Shepherds that eat a high-quality diet have been known to shed less. Feeding your dog a high quality, nutrient-dense diet will help them have a healthy coat which will mean less shedding.
You should also be brushing your German Shepherd’s coat regularly to help control shedding. You’ll want to use a de-shedding brush that will help reduce shedding. Be sure that you are not being too rough when you brush their coat. You don’t want to break the hair follicles which will cause more shedding. You may also want to take your dog to a professional groomer who can do a more thorough job of grooming and trim their coat when necessary.
Bathing your Germany Shepherds is something that you can do once a month to help minimize shedding. Be sure that you look for a dog shampoo made specifically for German Shepherds. This will help ensure that the natural oils in their coat are not stripped away which can lead to more hair loss.
If you’re looking for a German Shepherd shedding solution, I hope that a few of these German Shepherd shedding tips will help keep your dog’s shedding under control.
Ellen runs a small pet sitting business in southern Vermont. She has experience with a variety of small animals, dogs and cats. She has also cared for ducks, chickens and rabbits. Combined, she has over 20 years of experience in pet care and pet sitting.