dogs that don't shed
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Non shedding dogs: fact or fiction?
A number of of dog breeds, including the President's Portuguese Water Dog "Bo," are billed as non-shedding or hypo-allergenic.
But is the non-shedding dog fact or fiction?
Fiction!
All dogs and cats shed to some degree. Even people do! However there are some breeds that shed considerably less than others. And as far as being hypo-allergenic, or good for people with allergies, it's not always the hair that's the problem. We can be allergic to the dander from the animal's skin, saliva and even its urine!
So what breeds come closest to dogs that don't shed? Read on.
But is the non-shedding dog fact or fiction?
Fiction!
All dogs and cats shed to some degree. Even people do! However there are some breeds that shed considerably less than others. And as far as being hypo-allergenic, or good for people with allergies, it's not always the hair that's the problem. We can be allergic to the dander from the animal's skin, saliva and even its urine!
So what breeds come closest to dogs that don't shed? Read on.
Dog's coat: hair or fur?
What's the difference
- double-coated
- single-coated
The double coat, or "fur" has a topcoat made up of heavy hairs and guard hairs, and a soft, downy undercoat. The single coat, or "hair" is all the same - there's no undercoat.
Besides the type of coat, breeds either shed or don't shed (much).
It can be confusing so I've made up this chart:
Double-coated dogs
Single-coated dogs
"fur"
"hair"
top coat plus downy undercoat
one type of hair only
Shedding breeds
Shedding breeds
Golden Retriever
Afghan Hound
Low-shedding breeds
Low-shedding breeds
Miniature Schnauzer
Yorkshire Terrier
Deshedding
Attacking the dog hair before it takes over
It's actually the process of removing the shed or 'dead' hair or fur before it hits the ground and is all over your home.
There are three ways you can deshed your dog:
- blade tools like the FURminator
- traditional tools like the rake or slicker brush
- nutritional supplements
Or if you like the idea, but don't want to do the work, as your groomer about deshedding. (PetSmart groomers offer this service.)
Make sure your dog is the shedding type, before you use a deshedding tool like the FURminator. Otherwise, his coat will be broken and frizzy-looking.
List of non or low-shedding dogs
Deshedding tools will damage these coats
It's really important that you don't use a deshedding tool on a non-shedding dog breed. Here are the non-shedding breeds:
SINGLE COAT, non shedding dogs:- Maltese
- Poodle
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Coton De Tulear
- Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Portuguese Water Dog
DOUBLE COAT, non-shedding dogs:
- Shih Tzu
- Lhasa Apso
- Bichon Frise
- Schnauzer
- Havanese
- West Highland White Terrier
Tools for deshedding
Meet the FURminator
How does it work? The FURminator is basically a stainless-steel blade with very fine teeth, mounted on a handle. This blade is the very same kind used to cut hair in clippers like the Wahl.Only you're not cutting your dog's hair. Instead the blade, with its sharp, fine teeth, gently pulls and removes the loose, shed hair from your dog's coat.
Besides the original too, the FURminator, there are knock-offs like the FurBuster from Bamboo. Read more about the differences in FURminator vs. FurBuster
Where to buy FURminator
Good deals online at Amazon and PetSmart
To get the right model for your dog, you'll need to choose the length of the animal's coat--short or long (more than 2") and then the size of the animal. There's a FURminator deshedding tool for virtually all shedding dogs; just click the model number to see details:
Above, this is the range of FURminator tools for short-hair dogs, at Amazon and PetSmart. There are also long-hair models, and models for different animals including cats, kittens, rabbits and horses.
You can order FURminator online from PetSmart and save. They have the full line of FURminator products including:
Take $4 Off Your Order of $15 or More at PetSmart! Enter Code AFF11JAN at Checkout.
Toy
Small
Medium
Large
Giant
up to 10 lbs
up to 20 lbs
21-50 lbs
51-90 lbs
over 90 lbs
Short Hair
Short Hair
Short Hair
Short Hair
Short Hair
Long Hair
Long Hair
Long Hair
Long Hair
Long Hair
Above, this is the range of FURminator tools for short-hair dogs, at Amazon and PetSmart. There are also long-hair models, and models for different animals including cats, kittens, rabbits and horses.
You can also buy FURminator online from PetSmart
You can order FURminator online from PetSmart and save. They have the full line of FURminator products including:- the de-shedding tool or brush - for dogs, cats & rabbits
- a version for puppies, FURminator My FURst Groomer for Puppies
- FURminator Deshedding Shampoo and Conditioner
- very cool 'nubby' brushes to use when bathing your dog
- FURminator Deodorizing Waterless Spray
- ...and more!
Take $4 Off Your Order of $15 or More at PetSmart! Enter Code AFF11JAN at Checkout.
Traditional deshedding tools
Old school deshedding tools
Skilled or experienced groomers can remove a lot of shed hair with any of these more traditional or old-school tools:- the rake - very far spaced teeth that gets down to the undercoat and combs out shed hair
- the shedding blade - a metal loop on a handle. This loop has serrated edges that grab shed hair
- the slicker brush - fine metal pins on this brush, bent at an angle, is another way to combat shedding hair
Why deshedding is a good idea
Four reasons to deshed your dog
Every hair in the dog coat grows from a hair follicle, which has a cycle of growing, then dying and being replaced by another follicle. When the follicle dies, the hair is shed (moults). The length of time of the growing and shedding cycle varies by breed, age, and by whether the dog is an inside or outside dog.- When you remove that shed hair, your dog's coat is lighter and cleaner
- He'll smell better, even without a bath!
- Regular brushing and deshedding releases protective oils that keep his coat healthy and shiny
- You'll spend way less time Swiffering!
Really excessive shedding?
Your dog might be missing nutritional elements
While all dogs shed, sometimes your dog might be shedding excessively. That can be a sign that there's something wrong.What does that mean?
Really excessive shedding may indicate a dietary shortage, because both dogs and cats need Amino Acids, Fatty Acids and minerals like zinc to grow a shiny, healthy coat.
If any of these are missing, here are the symptoms:
- dull or brittle coat (not enough zinc)
- weight loss and hair loss (Amino Acid deficiency)
- coarse dry hair and flaky, scaly skin (Fatty Acid deficiency)
Many dog and cat owners swear by a supplement product called Dinovite which you can find online. They call themselves the one-a-day for pets - well balanced nutrients in an easy-to-feed formula.Read more about Divonite online at the company's site.
And you can read what actual customers think in: Divonite reviews.
What to do with all the shed hair?
Knit yourself a dog hair sweater!
I t might take a few years to collect enough hair or fur from your dog, but it is possible to process it into wool, and make something like a sweater for yourself! And no, the sweater won't smell like a wet dog if it rains!
Sounds crazy but people do it! BellaOnline Author Pegg Thomas has a great article on Making a Sweater from Dog Hair. Plus you can find several books with full directions. It's basically a 6 step process:
There is one book called Knitting With Dog Hair: Better A Sweater From A Dog You Know and Love Than From A Sheep You'll Never Meet but it's very, very pricey - must be out of print. However there are a number of books on basic handspinning wool that include all the directions you really need! Here's just one example:
Sounds crazy but people do it! BellaOnline Author Pegg Thomas has a great article on Making a Sweater from Dog Hair. Plus you can find several books with full directions. It's basically a 6 step process:
There is one book called Knitting With Dog Hair: Better A Sweater From A Dog You Know and Love Than From A Sheep You'll Never Meet but it's very, very pricey - must be out of print. However there are a number of books on basic handspinning wool that include all the directions you really need! Here's just one example:
Please leave your pawprint
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pet gates
Dec 13, 2011 @ 2:42 am | delete
- If you have allergies to dogs or simply want a dog that does not lose a lot of hair, then non shedding dogs are the right choice. These dogs range from terriers to water dogs as well as hounds.
pet gates
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Bruce & Barbara
Jan 27, 2011 @ 4:11 pm | delete
- We use the furminator brush on our cats. Works great
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Issy&dizzy
Jan 27, 2011 @ 3:56 pm | delete
- Mmmm a dog hair sweater
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More lenses about shedding and deshedding
Just about everything - and more - you'd want to know about dog hair!
by DebGray0333
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