Dog Breed Types and Understanding Shedding

There are four types of fur and one of those isn't fur at all in dogs. Dogs such as the Poodle, Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier have hair, similar to human hair. This means they shed very little or not at all and their hair continues to grow. These dogs need regular grooming by a professional groomer or with in-home specialized tools to look their best.

Dogs who have fur come in three types, hairless, coarse double coated and short-haired dogs. Having short hair doesn't mean less shedding, just smaller, needle-pointed hairs that stick into everything during a normal shedding period.

Hairless

The hairless breeds such as the Xoloitzcuintli or Mexican hairless, the Chinese crested, the American Hairless Terrier have tufts of hair and while they need to be groomed and have special care, such as skin oils, shedding is minimal. Care must be taken with these dogs because they do sunburn, get skin rash, and can develop dry skin.

Other dogs that shed minimally if at all are the Bedlington Terrier, the Basenji, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and the Kerry Blue Terrier.

Short hair

Examples of short coated dogs are Dalmatians, English Bulldogs, Chihuahuas. Short haired dogs shed and some can shed all year long. Their hairs are small, like pins and stick everywhere.

Coarse double coats

My Belgian Tervurens go through a process of shedding described as "blowing coat". This happens two times a year. Coarse double coated dogs like Collie's, Tervurens, German Shepherds "blow coat" meaning the soft under coating of hair tufts or blows out through the coarse top hair. A lot of sweeping and brushing comes with the territory of owning one of these dogs.

Dogs with hair

Hair does not shed. These dogs, have human-like hair that grows and grows, Poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers to name a few. These dogs need professional grooming and a lot of it. Some hybrid dogs are bred with the poodle to do away with shedding or minimize it. These dogs would be the Labradoodle, Schnoodle, Goldendoodle to name a few.
The shedding process

When shedding is not occurring or is minimal, it is called the "resting phase."

A shedding cycle is interrupted by living indoors in unnatural light and heat. Some dogs may appear to be shedding year round. With my Belgian Tervurens I do not notice much difference at all in their shedding patterns as indoor dogs. They shed normally, twice a year, once in the Spring, once in the late Fall.

After the resting phase, older hairs sheds to make room for new hair. In the breeds above it is evident genetics plays a huge role in when and how a dog sheds. The loosening and removal of hair is accomplished through a good brushing and combing or by a dog scratching themselves.

When bringing a dog into a home, it is wise to consider whether they will shed a lot or a little. Picking the right breed means picking a companion for the life of the dog.