top of page

Will My Dog Shed?

​Though it's not always the case, one of the most common reasons people choose a doodle is because doodles are known to shed less. A less commonly known fact however, is that some doodles can and do indeed shed decently. When looking for the right fit for your family, here's some things to keep in mind.

Genetic Explanation

While there are a few different aspects to shedding, there are two main genes that factor into how much a dog sheds. ​​
​
Furnishings: Furnishings are physically apparent in low shed breeds like poodles, yorkies, schnauzers, etc. This is what gives them their beards, eyebrows, mustaches (longer facial fur), and is also one of the main genes responsible for reducing shedding.

  • A furnishing on a genetic test will show up as a capital F. Furnishings are a dominant trait and any dog with at least one furnishing gene will be "furnished".

  • Dogs with only one F are still considered furnished, and have the potential to be low-shedding. 

  • It is possible for a puppy to have a F for furnishings, but not look furnished. This is often deemed a "weak" furnishing. Facial fur will still develop, but will often come in slower, and possibly shorter, than that of a puppy that has a true F furnishing. ​

​Shedding Gene: The shedding gene is a factor for ALL dog breeds.

  • This gene is not as physically obvious as furnishings, but a reasonable guess can typically be made by looking at the amount of hair a dog sheds. 

  • Dogs who read CC genetically, (ie: German Shepherds and Labs) are considered "heavy shedding" breeds, and dogs who read TT (ie: Shih Tzus and Chihuahuas) will typically have light-shedding. 

  • A genetic CT will typically also be considered light or seasonal shedding.

Examples

Purebred Standard Poodle FF: Fully Furnished CT for Shedding Curly Virtually No Shedding

 

Selecting a "Hypoallergenic Dog"

If you've specifically chosen a doodle due to allergies, or just hoping for less fur...everywhere, here are some tips for helping you find a low-shed dog.​

  • First and foremost, understand that every dog will shed to some degree. For poodles, and other furnished breeds, the shedding is almost non-existent, but it's important to note that you still may occasionally see some hair.  

  • Best Case Scenario: Find a breeder who does genetic testing on each of their puppies. Any of the following combinations should give you a puppy with very little/virtually no shedding. (See "Genetic Explanation" on the left for more info.)

    • ​FF: Furnishings and TT/CT/CC: Shedding

    • F1: Furnishings and TT/CT Shedding

    • Puppies with "weak" furnishings, but TT/CT for shedding should also be low/light shedding.

  • If your breeder does not provide genetic testing for puppies, consider the following tips:

    • Look for puppies with longer facial fur. Furnishings (or the lack thereof) aren't typically really noticeable until after about 6 weeks. It is possible to tell sooner, but it's more prominent the older they get.

    • Find a breeder who is open and honest about their puppies' coat types. If a puppy is shedding now, it will almost always continue to shed as an adult. 

  • Selecting a puppy based on coat texture. Coat texture can be a good indicator, but is not always a guarantee.​

    • Puppies with curly/crimpy "poodle" fur are associated with shedding less because they look more like the non-shedding breed. While this can be a good indication it is not a guarantee. It is also important to realize that this fur type does come with it's own set of maintenance (see the "grooming" page for more info). 

    • Puppies with loose curl/wavy fur can be just as low-shed as curly types, if they have the right genetic make-up.

    • Straight coats and short facial fur are generally indicative of a puppy that will shed at least a little..

Tips for Dog Allergies

If you're moderately allergic to dogs, but can't seem to live without them (most of my family), or if you found yourself a new family member that ends up being a shedder; here are some tips for living with your furry friend and still being able to breathe.

  • Keep pets off of furniture and out of bedrooms. 

  • Invest in a robot vacuum to keep up with pet hair.

  •  Stay on top of regular grooming for your dog. 

  • Don't over bathe your furry friend. Soaps and shampoos can dry out skin and create more dander.

  • Wash your hands after playing with your dog.

  • Or, if you just can't tell those sad eyes that they can't be up on the bed, realize that you're body is made to adapt.

    • In most cases (though not all) allergies will become less severe with exposure.

    • Make sure to be aware of your body, and transition slowly. 

    • For severe allergies/reactions, consult your physician. 

bottom of page