The standard-sized Dachshund was bred to scent and chase badgers and other animals. Today, their versatility makes them excellent family companions, small-game hunters, and show dogs. If you’re considering adopting a Dachshund, you have to be aware of their shedding levels and how you can manage them. And if you are an allergy sufferer, this information might be even more important for you. You don’t want a pup that will trigger severe allergy reactions. Learn more about the Dachshund and decide whether or not you want him in your home. But remember, nothing is impossible if you set your mind and commit to staying and keeping your Dachshund healthy.
Do Dachshunds shed? Of course, they do, like other canines, to allow new fur to grow. They are considered moderate shedders and will not leave too much fur around your house. Shedding isn’t bad as it keeps your canine’s coat healthy by removing the dead hairs. You will only need to groom and keep your Dachshund healthy to manage and reduce the shedding.
Shedding can be bad for allergy sufferers because of the allergens released in the air. Shedding can also cause some inconvenience. For example, imagine showing up to an important event covered in your puppy fur or having a friend over at your place with a house full of dog fur. To avoid all these, try and clean your house regularly to control the fur and allergens produced by your dog. You don’t want to regret ever welcoming your furry friend into your home. This article will also help you with your pet journey of owning a Dachshund as it explains how much they shed, why do Dachshunds shed, their type of coat, how to minimize shedding, and most importantly if they are hypoallergenic.
How Much Do Dachshunds Shed?
Dachshund dogs do shed, but as for the quantity, they are considered to be moderate shedders. How much the Dachshunds shed highly depends on their coat type. They all shed an average amount, but the long-haired and wire-haired need more intensive grooming. Shedding will also depend on the dog’s overall health, hormones, diet, grooming routine, time of the year, and the environment. People do choose Dachshunds because of their minimal hair falling. They don’t leave masses of hair on the floor or couch, and if you groom them often, you won’t find too much dog hair scattered around your house.
Why Do Dachshunds Shed?
All dog breeds shed as a natural process that protects their skin and regulates body temperature. You should only worry and look for a solution if the shedding is abnormal and health-related. They shed to allow room for a new overcoat, and the reason they differ in shedding is the difference in their coat type. All Dachshunds, whether smooth-haired, longhaired, or wire-haired, shed their fur to keep their fur healthy and make it the right thickness for the time of the year. Ensure you groom your canine properly and clean your house often to avoid having fur all over your couch and carpet.
Shedding Seasons and Frequency
Normally, canines molt extra in spring in preparation for summer. As the climate gets warm, they shed extra fur because they don’t need much insulation. This mainly applies to dogs that spend a lot of periods outdoors. Indoor pups may not get affected by the seasonal molting and shed an equal amount of fur all year round. The Dachshunds are a moderate shedder, and their shedding frequency is reasonable. They shed more during the seasonal shedding, mostly in warmer months, to release their thick winter fur. You will also notice that your dog’s coat will become lighter for extra comfort during the spring.
Unhealthy Shedding
Even though shedding is normal, you have to watch out for your canine if it seems to shed excessively. It isn’t very comforting to see your Dachshunds shed excessively, especially when you can’t figure out what is causing the condition. If you have such a problem, visit your vet to help you examine what could be causing your puppy to shed much. Some of the common causes of unhealthy shedding in dogs are: infections, hormonal imbalances, parasites, nutritional deficiency, and poor grooming.
What Type of Coat Does a Dachshund Have?
Dachshunds have three different coats varieties, including smooth, wire-haired, and long-haired. The amount of high shedding depends on their coat type. The longer the Dachshund’s fur, the more brushing is needed to keep their fur healthy and reduce shedding.
Smooth-coated Dachshunds
The smooth-coated Dachshunds shed a small amount of fur, and you may not notice until you vacuum your floor. They shed the least as they have less fur compared to their long and wire-haired counterparts. You will only need to brush your smooth-coated Dachshund once a week to remove dead hairs and reduce shedding. And, all you need is a grooming mitt. Brushing also helps distribute the oils that keep your puppy’s fur healthy. So, if you are looking for a low-maintenance type of Dachshund, this is the one for you.
Wire-haired Dachshunds
Wire-haired Dachshunds are double-coated with a fluffy undercoat. Their fur grows thicker in winter to keep them warm and gets thinner in summer to keep them cool. Rather than shedding throughout the year, the wire-haired Dachshunds will shed more during the spring and autumn. Besides daily brushing, your wire-haired Dachshund may need stripping and plucking to help remove dead hair and minimize shedding. This can be done twice a year.
Long-haired Dachshunds
Long-haired Dachshunds are the biggest shedders of the three types of coats. But still, it’s not a lot compared to other canine breeds. These Dachshunds have fleecy undercoats, while the outercoats are sleek and slightly wavy. Their undercoat keeps them warm during the winter and makes them shed more during warmer months. They need daily brushing to help remove any tangles and hairs from their under and outercoats.
How to Manage and Reduce Dachshunds Shedding?
You can never stop your canine from shedding completely, and a Dachshunds is not exceptional. Shedding is a natural and normal process for all dog breeds. They shed their old dead hairs to make room for new hairs. So, the only thing you can do is accept that shedding is normal and learn how to manage and reduce it. There are several ways to manage dog shedding, but it mostly comes down to proper grooming and diet.
Dachshund Grooming
When it comes to grooming, brushing is the most effective way of reducing the amount of fur that falls in your house. The process might be slightly different between the different haired Dachshunds. For starters, the short-haired Dachshunds can be scrubbed weekly using a soft, spike hairbrush. In contrast, the longhaired Dachshunds require daily grooming and straightening to do away with tangles and mats. In some situations, you might even need to untangle any disturbing ties with your hands or cut them. The wire-haired requires an exceptional level of grooming termed stripping, which should be done twice a year. It involves manually removing dead hairs from the follicle to encourage growth of healthy hairs with naturally thick and bristly texture. This appears too ruthless, but it shouldn’t cause any pain or discomfort when done properly. So, ask an expert to do it.
Brushing helps remove the dead hairs from your Dachshund before they fall onto your carpet and couch. Many people find it effective to use a de-shedding tool. Regular brushing also massages their skin, stimulating the hair follicles, thus spreading the oils evenly over the overcoat. It is a good way to make the fur healthier and minimize shedding. Once you make grooming a routine, you will notice that it will make a huge difference to your Dachshund’s shedding levels.
Dachshund Diet
There is no magic canine food that can certainly stop shedding, but some are healthier and contain Omega 3 fatty acids, which can help improve your dog’s fur. Speak to your vet to recommend the best food possible for your Dachshund. A healthy diet plays a vital role in your dog’s overall health as well as how much they shed. Another option is adding molasses to your Dachshunds diet, as it will effectively reduce shedding. By feeding your Dachshund a proper diet, they will develop a healthy coat and reduce shedding. You can save yourself some time cleaning up loose fur.
Baths, Supplements…
Occasional bathing can help keep the overcoat healthy and reduce shedding. But too much bathing is dangerous for your Dachshund. All Dachshunds make sebum, which sustains their fur healthfully. Therefore, overbathing them will remove this sebum, making their skin dry. It is advisable to bathe your Dachshund once every three months while continuously using quality shampoo.
Supplements can help thicken your Dachshund’s hair, making it shiny and healthy. The most crucial supplements for healthy coats include Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. You can find high omega contents in coconut oil, flaxseed oil, salmon oil, and canola oil. All these ingredients will improve the condition of your Dachshunds coats and reduce shedding. Another essential supplement for your dog’s fleece is vitamin B, which you can find in seaweed, green vegetables, and brewer’s yeast. You can always buy supplements from a local pet store, but it is advisable to consult your vet to recommend the best supplement for your Dachshund.
Are Dachshunds Hypoallergenic?
A hypoallergenic canine is designed to minimize the possibility of an allergic reaction by having few or no irritating substances. If you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog, that means you are interested in a breed that won’t cause your allergies to upsurge or will only cause tolerable symptoms. After understanding the topic do Dachshunds shed, the next logical step is to know if they are hypoallergenic. The shedding level of a breed determines whether that particular canine is hypoallergenic or not. Dachshunds are not considered hypoallergenic because they are moderate shedders and even shed more during the seasonal shedding. Is your heart still set on the Dachshund, but you are an allergy sufferer? All hope is not lost. You can minimize the allergic reaction using the following tips:
- Regularly brush your dog’s hair to keep off dirt and other irritating substances, especially if you have the wire-haired and longhaired Dachshund.
- Train your pup not to jump on your furniture and bed or even sleep on your pillow
- Use an air purifier to catch the allergens released in the air
- Feed your Dachshunds a high-quality diet that keeps their fur healthy and minimizes shedding
- Always wash your hands and change your clothing after petting your puppy, and don’t allow it to rub against your face
- Thorough clean your environment and keep the surfaces sanitized to reduce the dander and fur that trigger the allergy
- Research or ask your allergist for any medicines that can combat pet allergies