When you first bring home an Australian Shepherd, the question do Australian Shepherd shed? maybe top of mind. After all, these dogs are supposed to have double coats, and their fine undercoats can produce quite a lot of dog fur! But where did this idea come from?
Do Australian Shepherds shed significantly more than other breeds? When does your Aussie shed the most fur? And what should you do to make life with your shedding Aussie easier? Here’s everything you need to know about the answer, which surprisingly, may not be what you think!
When does the shedding period occur for Aussies?
For most Aussies, there are two major shedding periods that occur each year. The first generally happens in the spring, as the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer. This is when their winter coat starts to shed in preparation for the summer.
The second major shedding period occurs in the fall, as the days start to get shorter and the weather starts to cool down. This is when their summer coat starts to shed in preparation for the winter.
The more active your dog is, the more likely it will be to shed. If you’re someone who has a large amount of carpeting or other fabrics in your home, this can lead to a lot of pet hair buildup over time.
What do I need to know about grooming my Aussie’s coat?
While they do shed, there are a few things you can do to help manage the amount of fur left behind. First, brush them regularly – at least once a week – to help remove loose hair and prevent mats and tangles from forming.
Secondly, consider investing in a good quality vacuum cleaner with strong suction – you’ll be glad you did! There’s no need to wait until after vacuuming for your dog, however; just make sure not to use the up or down buttons on your vacuum cleaner when you have a wet coat because it will mat your pup’s fur together even more.
Thirdly, try grooming your Aussie regularly during their heavy shedding periods (spring and fall) so that all that extra hair is removed before it falls out naturally. Fourthly, consider giving your furry friend a bath if he/she starts to look too dirty. All of these tips should help keep the amount of fur found around your home under control!
How often should I bathe my Aussie?
You might think that because Australian Shepherds are double-coated, they need to be bathed more often than other breeds. However, this is not the case! In fact, bathing them too often can strip their coat of natural oils and lead to skin problems.
A good rule of thumb is to bathe your Aussie only when he or she is dirty or smells bad. If you feel like you want to give your pup a bath, just make sure it’s on a short-haired dog so that it doesn’t damage its long fur. And don’t forget to brush them before you start!
7 Tips to Reduce Shedding Naturally
If you’re looking to reduce the amount of shedding from your Australian Shepherd, there are a few things you can do. First, invest in a good quality brush and brush them regularly. This will help to remove any loose fur before it has a chance to fall out on its own. Secondly, give them a healthy diet – this will help their coat to be strong and less likely to shed excessively. Thirdly, avoid baths as much as possible.
Washing an Aussie more than once or twice a year is more than enough because they tend to dry themselves off pretty well between baths. And lastly, keep their nails trimmed short so that they don’t split the nail bed and create ingrown hairs that lead to excessive shedding. With these tips, you should be able to have a happy and healthy Australian Shepherd who sheds at normal levels!
5 Top Grooming Tools Every Aussie owner needs
- A quality shedding blade like the FURminator is a must-have for any Aussie owner.
- A good pair of grooming scissors will help you keep your dog’s coat looking neat and tidy.
- A slicker brush is also a necessity for helping to remove loose hair from your dog’s coat.
- A detangling spray can be helpful in making grooming sessions easier for both you and your dog.
- Finally, it’s important to make sure that you’re using high-quality shampoo when bathing your dog.
Don’t forget about their ears! They should be cleaned regularly with an ear cleaner or water mixed with a small amount of vinegar.
And don’t forget their teeth! It’s essential that you brush them at least once per week or so – especially during their two shed periods each year – in order to avoid gum disease and other dental problems.