Just as there are many amazing facts about dogs, there are also many myths. One common myth is that certain dog breeds don’t shed. It’s just not true. That’s right, even supposedly “hypoallergenic” dogs and “hairless” breeds shed to some extent. At a minimum, they will shed dander. With that said, some dogs do shed less than others. For dogs who shed a bit more, there are ways to help keep the shedding under control.

Why Do Dogs Shed?

Different dogs shed to varying degrees depending on their breed, coat thickness, environmental factors, and health reasons. Dogs will shed more seasonally, often in the spring and fall, as the weather changes.

To Make Space for a New Coat

Dogs have about 15,000 hairs per square inch of skin¹, while humans only have about 800 to 1,290 per square inch on their head². That is a lot of extra hair. They need to shed their coat and even skin to stay healthy. The old, damaged hair needs to go for a new, healthy coat to grow.

Environment

Dogs also shed to adapt to their environment. Two major factors affect when significant shedding occurs: changes in the amount of light per day and changes in external temperatures. For example, dogs in North America shed primarily in the spring and fall when the temperature and daylight hours change.

Health

Shedding can also be affected by hormones, health, nutrition, and genetic factors.

Stress is one of the most common causes of excessive shedding in dogs³. You might notice a lot of fur on your clothing after holding your dog at the veterinarian’s office. Stress causes the skin tissue to expand due to a release of adrenaline, and the hair falls out more easily.

If you suspect your dog is shedding excessively, it’s important to have them evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes, such as infections, parasites, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune or immune-mediated conditions, and several others.

How To Minimize Your Dog’s Shedding

Even though you can’t stop your dog from shedding, there are some things you can do to reduce or manage it.

Grooming

Routine grooming is essential. Even low-shedding dogs need regular grooming to keep their coat healthy and prevent matting. This includes regular brushing, bathing, and clipping or trimming fur.

When bathing your dog, always use warm to slightly cool water. The skin can become irritated and inflamed if it is too hot, leading to further shedding.

Even though topical products don’t stop or reduce shedding, they make brushing easier and help moisturize your dog’s skin. Use soap-free, moisturizing shampoos and conditioners. Thoroughly rinse their skin and coat completely free of product to prevent residual product from irritating the skin.

Towel drying and letting your dog’s coat air dry naturally will help prevent the skin from becoming dehydrated and decrease irritation, which can help with shedding.

Use a brush that suits your dog’s coat and is designed for daily use. Daily brushing removes loose hair and helps spread your dog’s natural oils through the coat and skin. Brushes designed for de-shedding should be limited to once or twice weekly as they can irritate your dog’s skin if used daily.

Nutrition

Feeding your dog a high-quality, well-balanced diet is optimal for their health and well-being, which includes their coat.

Probiotics may help decrease shedding . By keeping the gut microbiome balanced, dogs are better able to absorb nutrients that help maintain a healthy coat and skin, meaning less shedding⁴.

Fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties and boosts the immune system. It also can help keep your dog’s coat shiny and healthy. Adding it to your dog’s diet or feeding a diet with added Omega 3 fatty acids can help support a healthy coat and decrease shedding by decreasing itchy, flaky skin, easing allergies, and strengthening the immune system⁵.

Stress and Anxiety Management

Reducing and managing your dog’s stress and anxiety can help decrease shedding.

Triggers. Identify and try to avoid or manage triggers that cause stress. A certified canine training and behavior consultant can help.

Exercise and environmental enrichment. These can significantly ease a dog’s stress and anxiety.

Microbiome. Studies show that when the gut microbiome is out of balance, it can impact canine anxiety disorders⁶. Supplementing with certain probiotics may help ease stress, which can lessen shedding.

Calming aids. Calming aids such as pheromone sprays and diffusers or treats may help ease your dog’s anxiety.

Anxiety medication. For more serious cases, consult your veterinarian to determine if prescription medications are necessary to help your dog relax.

Dogs That Shed the Least

If you’re looking for a dog breed that sheds very little, consider the hairless breeds, like the Chinese Crested, Mexican Hairless, and American Hairless Terrier.

You can also look for dogs with a single-layer, continuously growing coat. They require regular grooming because their coat will continue growing in length unless trimmed, but the shedding is minimal. Dogs that shed the least are typically called “hypoallergenic.” They do, however, require frequent brushing.

These breeds may seem like dogs that don’t shed compared to heavy shedding dogs, but they do. Here’s a breakdown by size⁷:

Low-shedding small dogs include:

• Yorkshire Terrier
• Havanese
• Cairn Terrier
• Bolognese
• Lhasa Apso
• Bichon Frise
• Maltese
• West Highland White Terrier
• Some Poodle mixes

Low-shedding medium dogs include:

• Kerry Blue Terrier
• Tibetan Terrier
• Whippet
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Some Poodle mixes

Low-shedding large dogs include:

• Poodle
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Airedale Terrier
• Giant Schnauzer
• Komondor
• Afghan Hound

Dog Breeds that Shed Most

Just as there are low-shedding breeds, there are dogs that shed a lot. Any dog with a double coat is bound to have a lot of shedding. These can include⁸:

• Siberian Husky
• Saint Bernard
• Corgi
• Akita
• Chow Chow
• Golden Retriever
• Labrador Retriever
• Alaskan Malamute
• Alaskan Husky

When it comes to managing your dog’s shedding, these heavy-coated dogs will take the most effort and time. Even with daily brushing and regular grooming, you’re bound to find tumbleweeds of fur around your home.

Dogs that don’t shed much still require frequent grooming and care, but if you prefer not to find dog hair all over your home, a low-shedding breed could be the right choice for you.