Dog shedding is a process where a dog naturally loses or flock-out some of his hair. Usually, all dogs do shed, except the hairless breeds traditionally referred to as hypoallergenic dogs. Changes in temperature; accompanying changes in season (winter, summer, spring, and fall) usually affect dog shedding a great deal. Dog shedding is sometimes referred to as “coat blowing.” “Dog breeds that don’t shed” are the dog breeds that rarely shed or those that shed minimally. This article will shed more light on this.
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Some Salient Points About Dog Shedding
Dog shedding occurs naturally for dogs except for the non-shedding breeds. But in some cases, there are many factors determining dog shedding.
- Temperature change as a result of a change of season (Winter/Summer or Fall/spring) is a factor that significantly affects hair shedding in dogs.
- Dog breeds is another determining factor. Some dog breeds shed continually year round. While some other breeds shed heavily during the warm seasons and observe “no shedding” practice during cold seasons.
- Feeding/Nutrition: Unbalanced diet can result in the shedding of a dog irrespective of breed.
- Constant changes of a dog location can result in shedding as a result of stress.
- Dogs may show signs of shedding if there is ill health.
- A severe attack of Fleas, vermin lice, and other parasites is another way dog can lose a great deal of its hair.
As much as shedding occurs in almost all dog breeds, it is not a common occurrence in some dog breeds. Shedding in some dogs could be an indicator or symptom of ill-health.
Why Worry About Dog Shedding?
Improper tendering and handling of a dog prone to shedding can be agonizing with pieces of hair all over the house. Another major health concern about shedding is allergens.
Prosperously, there may be no severe alert here if the dog is certified healthy. Constant and adequate health care as well as maintaining a high level of hygiene for the dog makes shedding a non-hazardous issue.
Are There Dog-Breeds That Don’t Shed?
Practically speaking, no dog is entirely and realistically “non-shedding.” Every dog shed at one time or the other no matter how minimal. But for the sake of natural classification, let us have it simple.
There are apparent signs of some ambiguous cross-links and interlinks existing in the classification and naming of “shedding and non-shedding dog breeds.” It is obvious to understand that the classification needs to be made more straightforward in the following apparent manner.
- Some dog breeds “shed heavily” – heavy shedders
- Some dog breeds “shed moderately” – moderate shedders
- Some dog breeds that “shed minimally” – minimal shedders
- While some “breeds don’t shed little.” – very minimal shedders
Most dog breeds classified as low shedding can equally be referred to as dog breed that “shed minimally.” The same group may still be called “non-shedding.”
Dogs That Don’t Shed Or Shed-Less
A Look At Last Two Sub-Classes
1. Single coated dog breeds:
This category has one single top or upper layer coat of hair on the skin. Any dog that falls under this category has some features that make the hair to remain firmly on its skin throughout the year. It only drops-off few strands of hair here, occasionally.
This makes it looked and seemed as if the hair is not shed. Because of some features possessed by this category, like tighter skin and coarser hair and shorter hair length, the lifespan of the hair on the surface is longer.
2. Double coated dog breeds:
Dogs in this category have double coats of fur on the skin; the upper coat and the lower coat. The upper coat serves as the protective coat against water and moisture and to prevent loss of heat from the body during cold.
Also, the upper coat provides support for the undercoat by shielding external heat from penetrating the skin. The under-coat is silkier and almost duplicating the functions of the outer coat. Features of double-coated dog breeds include; softer hair texture, longer hair length, looser skin.
Other Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed
Many breeds fall under this category. The following dog breeds are known to belong to this category:
- Poodle
- Shih Tsu
- Puggle
- Bichon Frise
- Yorkshire
- Terrier Maltese
- Bolognese
- Coton de Tulear
- Chihuahua
- Portuguese Water Dog
This list is endless, but for this article and space, the above list will give one a clear idea about dog breeds that don’t shed.
There are dog breeds that are not hairy. These breeds don’t shed heavily and constantly as the much hairy kinds. The less hairy dog breeds, especially the single- skin coated breeds, conserve the hair as much as they can. It is just the matter of “what you don’t have in abundance, you don’t miss-use.”
Practically, no dog breed, purebred or mixed, that does shed its hair; however rarely.
There are breeds of dogs that shed very minimally, and there are other categories that rarely shed, or shed minimally. The breeds that shed minimally and the breeds that shed very minimally.
Hairless-Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed
This class of dogs, though classified as hairless, but on closer look, you will notice some patch. Hairless dog breeds perfectly fit into a class we call dog breeds that shed very minimally. By rule of thumb, “You don’t give what you don’t have.” A hairless dog cannot shed! Since they are hairless and naked, they cannot give what they don’t have. It’s just a matter of “No hair, No shedding.” The few patches of hair need to be retained and protected.
The dog breeds that are categorized as hairless are rare and not as popular because most of them are facing extinction threat. Each of these breeds is almost entirely hairless. But some of them still have patches of either around the face, neck, fore or hind limbs. Mainly, we have the following as typical examples. The list comprises of some names of small and large dogs that don’t shed.
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
- Argentine Pila Dog
- Chinese Crested
- American Hairless Terrier
- Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican hairless Dog)
- Airedale Terrier
- Bouvier Des Flandres
- Irish Water Spaniel
Conclusion
It is wonderful coming across dogs of different breeds with similar features and characteristics as relating to shedding.
Some dogs breeds shed ones in a year; some breeds undergo shedding at every change of season. Because of the double coated skin nature of some dog breed, the shedding is not noticeable.
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