Do German Shepherds Shed? You Bet!

If you have a German Shepherd, shedding will be something you deal with 365 days a year. These dogs are some of the biggest shedders out there. When you get one, you’ll get a friend for life… but you’ll also find fur everywhere, from your clothes, to your furniture, to your carpet!

When people ask, “do German Shepherds shed?” the answer isn’t just “yes”. It’s more like “heck yes!”

If you’re seriously thinking about getting a German Shepherd, shedding is something you are going to have to be OK with. Many German Shepherd owners wind up vacuuming several times a week, just to keep all of the fur at bay. If you’re prepared for some extra work, then you’re prepared for a German Shepherd. Also, if you suffer from allergies, a German Shepherd is not the dog for you. All of that shedding will be more than your allergies can handle.

So, what’s behind all of that German Shepherd shedding?

Like many other breeds, German Shepherds are double-coated. They have a downy-type undercoat that lies right next to their skin. On top of it, you’ll find a second coat, which is made up of longer, more coarse hair.On an average day, you will find those long coarse hairs all over the place. But, twice a year, German Shepherd shedding kicks it up a notch.

Every six months, German Shepherds “blow” their undercoats. When this happens, that downy-type undercoat starts to come out in large tufts. Luckily, this “blowing” only lasts for a few days. However, during those few days, you will find yourself constantly sweeping up thick fur.

So, is there anything you can do to keep your German Shepherd’s shedding to a minimum?

There is nothing you can do to stop these dogs from shedding. However, if you’re willing to work at it, you can keep your German Shepherd’s shedding to a minimum.

Proper, frequent grooming is the key to making shedding more manageable. Regular brushing can scoop up dead hairs before they wind up on your floor. Plus, it evenly distributes the oils on your German Shepherd’s skin throughout his fur. The healthier you can keep your dog’s coat, the better his shedding problem will be.

If you really want to keep your German Shepherd’s shedding problem under control, get a rake brush. These brushes are designed to go all the way to the skin, removing mats and extra hair along the way.

If you don’t brush your German Shepherd enough, their thick undercoat will start to mat. If that happens, your dog can wind up with hot spots, bald spots, and even rashes. Plus, when clumps of fur build up, it prevents your German Shepherd’s skin from breathing. Since your dog’s skin is his biggest line of defense against infections, unhealthy skin can lead to a variety of other health problems.

However, when it comes to your German Shepherd’s shedding, there actually can be too much of it. If your dog is shedding so much that you’re starting to see patches of skin underneath, you need to talk to your vet. German Shepherds may shed a lot, but they shouldn’t shed that much. If yours does, an infection or excess stress could be to blame.

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