We all love dogs! Don’t we? Even if they do shed. Coming home after an exhausting day at work and finding your furry bundle of love waiting for you at the doorstep, is indeed an adorable sight. Affectionate, Loyal and Playful are the reasons which make it man’s best friend! But I am guessing you still want to know, do rottweilers shed?
Rottweiler’s are an ideal dog with a variety of talents! He’s tough, strong and fortunately, super-easy to train. It might be a bit protective, but extremely playful and loving to the family. And Loyalty? Oh man, you’d love him!
Well, if you are thinking of sharing your home with a Rottweiler, you will definitely want to know everything about them, to make sure they will be a good fit for you and your loved ones.
So, do Rottweilers shed? We know shedding is a big concern for a lot of people. After all, none of us would like to sweep up dog hair every day! Therefore, we have made this comprehensive guide for all those who have a Rottweiler or are looking forward to getting one. This will definitely be super helpful to you. Mark my words!
So people, sit back and relax, and scroll down to know more about this tough guy with the heart of gold!
Do Rottweilers Shed?
Thinking of getting a Rottweiler because they have short hair and won’t shed? Well, you might be wrong because a Rottweiler does shed hair, despite having short hairs.
Luckily, Rottweilers are moderate shedders and only shed excessively in certain seasons. So the answer to do rottweilers shed is, yes, if proper grooming is maintained, their shedding can be easily controlled.
They shed heavily in fall and spring, preparing for the coming season. The shedding season only lasts for about, 3 weeks, after which shedding returns to normal.
Why Do Rottweilers Shed?
You don’t need to worry if your Rottweiler is shedding quite a few hairs. Shedding is completely natural among dogs and is a natural stage of their hair growth cycle. In fact, if your Rottweiler is not shedding at all, it might be a sign of concern!
To completely comprehend the shedding phase among Rottweiler, it must be known that just like Huskies and German Shepherds, Rottweiler also have a double coat consisting of two layers-Undercoat and Topcoat.
Undercoat – The layer that causes all the mess, and the reason for your frustration. The undercoat provides essential insulation to the Rottweiler, protecting your bundle of love in extreme seasons. It helps in regulating body temperature and ensures their survival.
Topcoat – is the visible layer of hair that protects your best friend from environmental factors like rain and dust.
Factors Responsible for Shedding
Climate is an elemental factor, connected with the shedding of your Rottweiler. The thickness of the undercoat varies with the environment you and your Rottweiler belong to. If you belong to a cooler climate then your Rottweiler may require a comparatively thicker undercoat for appropriate insulation.
On the other hand, if you are inhabited in a relatively warmer climate, the thickness undercoat may not vary much throughout the year. Basically, when the temperature drops or increases significantly, it stimulates the dogs’ body to counter the season on its way.
Whether your dog spends most time indoors or outdoors, also plays an essential role in shedding. A Rottweiler that is primarily an in-house dog and is exposed to adequate heat is not required to build thick layers for insulation.
Consequently, making it shed hairs moderately in equal amount throughout the year. However, if your Rottweiler is a patrolling dog and stays outdoors often, it may require an extra layer of insulation and eventually, excessive shedding before summers.
Besides changes in environment and exposure to heat and light, there are other aspects responsible for shedding as well including:
- Pregnancy
- Hormonal Issues
- Lack of vital dietary nutrients
- Allergies
Abnormal Shedding
As we mentioned earlier as well, usual shedding shouldn’t be much concern for you. We know it might be a bit hard, but you have to remain calm. However, if your Rottweiler is shedding too much hair from a specific part of its body and it’s not their shedding season, it might be something you should be concerned about.
Plus, if bald spots and itchiness are also observed, you should visit a veterinary doctor pretty soon. Abnormal Shedding can be caused due to various conditions such as:
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Parasite – mites, fleas or lice Infection
- Reaction to certain medication or health supplements.
- Food allergies – Occurs when you switch dog foods.
- Bacterial or Fungal infections.
- Allergy to shampoo or conditioner
- Liver, thyroid, adrenal, or kidney disease.
- Cancer
- Immune Disease
- Sunburn
If you find your Rottweiler shedding excessively, no need to panic as most simple changes in your grooming routine and mild medications can fix it. However, if you are pretty concerned or symptoms are quite worse, you may want to visit a vet. Because dogs are everything to us!
How to Deal With Shedding?
Does your Rottweiler shed a lot? Well, none of us can actually stop that shedding completely. However, to stop those hairs messing with your life, you may adopt a few measures to reduce its shedding and keep your house clean. Ready?
1 – Bathe and Brush!
You knew this was coming! Bathing your Rottweiler every four weeks in warm weather, and six to eight in cooler ones would keep those messy hairs at bay. And if you use a quality dog shampoo for your dog, it will smell phenomenal!
The most important thing you could do to reduce shedding is Brushing! Brushing at least once a week and more often during shedding seasons is ideal to keep that coat shiny and healthy.
Fortunately, Rottweiler’s are not a high maintenance dog. Just 10-15 minutes of daily brushing would work wonders for it! And yes, don’t forget to do it gently as some areas are sensitive and I am pretty sure it hurts!
Who doesn’t want a well-groomed dog with a shiny, soft and healthy-looking coat? Remembering to brush your Rottweiler once in a while is vital for this and obviously their health. After all, they rightly deserve to be pampered.
2 – Nutritious Diet
Diet has it all! Just like us humans, our Rottweiler also needs essential nutrients for proper day to day functioning. And certainly, the diet has a direct impact on shedding.
During shedding seasons, supplements of Fish oil, Vitamin A and Flaxseed oils work magically to reduce excessive shedding. These oils keep their coat healthy and full of fur. Plus this also makes sure their eyes are bright and are strong and lean.
You may even treat your Rottweiler with fruit and vegetables instead of manufactured products. And trust me; they would love you for it!
In addition to fulfilling dietary requirements, regular physical activity and proper Hydration is also very important to ensure that your Rottweiler coat always shines bright!
3 – Household Cleaning
Finding your dog’s hair around the house can be pretty frustrating for most people. Luckily, we are in the 21st century and getting rid of the hair isn’t a big deal! Our number one tip to bid farewell to those roaming hairs is to get yourself a vacuum that is designed specially for pets.
These vacuums are super effective in eliminating dreaded hairs from every corner of the house. Most brands these days have a pet version for their cleaners, some are better than others.
If you Include vacuuming in your daily or even weekly cleaning routine your house will look a lot better, the trick is to stay on top of it which will keep everyone happy! And we all know nothing can be more pleasing than a clean home!
Don’ts of Shedding
- Do not shave your Rottweiler at all! – Shaving removes the protective insulation layer and causes itchiness and discomfort to your dogs. Shaving can put your dog at extreme risk!
- Avoid Over bathing- Bathing too often can dry out your Rottweiler’s skin and may cause itchiness. Baths every 4-6 weeks are ideal for most Rottweilers, depending on weather conditions.
- Avoid over-shampooing- Shampoo strips of all the natural oil from your dogs’ skin and the lather it produces are quite harsh. Always use pet appropriate shampoos and grooming accessories.
- Don’t buy the cheapest food you can find. Poor quality manufactured food can worsen shedding.
Conclusion
Overall, Rottweilers are more than an ordinary dog! With its splendid companionship and affection, it is indeed one of the most phenomenal breeds of dogs. Despite the fact that they are moderate shedders and shed quite often, they are worth it all!
The regular grooming of your dog wouldn’t just prevent your house from becoming a hairy nightmare but would also reflect the overall good health of your dog.
Taking necessary grooming measures would ensure shedding to remain under control. Initially, it might seem like a lot to do but with time, it will become a normal part of your life. And trust me; your furry bundle of love will love you for this!
The best part is the time spent on grooming your Rottweiler can be the perfect bonding time between you and him. You may talk or even sing for him during it. And no matter how hard it may get, dog kisses, playful licks and fury smiles make it all worth-while.
