Mastiffs are heavy-boned, massive dogs that are slightly longer than tall. Because of their vast size, they need enough space to stretch out. The Mastiffs are naturally calm, gentle, easygoing, and good-natured. People love them because they are well-mannered house pets who are good with children and devoted to their families.
But before you welcome any canine into your home, you have to be aware of their shedding habits and maintenance. This guide will take you through Mastiff shedding so you learn more about this canine breed and decide whether it is fit for you and your family.
Do Mastiffs shed? Yes, they do, just like any canine breed. They are considered moderate to heavy shedders but shed more during the seasonal shedding. However, the secret to enjoying a fur-free home is ensuring you feed your dog an optimal diet and proper grooming. They have short fur that is easy to maintain but do not be mistaken that they do not shed.
When adopting any canine breed, shedding is an important topic, especially for allergy sufferers. Before welcoming any into your home, you must know how much a canine shed, lest you regret it. It would be distressing for children to get attached to the beautiful Mastiff and later learn they can’t control their allergies and have to return him.
You also have to learn how to manage and reduce your pup’s shedding to avoid a house full of dog fur. This shedding guide will help you learn more about the Mastiff, from how much, why, and when they shed. You’ll also learn their coat type and what is needed to maintain it.
How Much Do Mastiffs Shed
Mastiffs are moderate to heavy shedders throughout the year but shed more heavily during the seasonal shedding. Many people assume that dogs with short coats do not shed much, which isn’t true. Mastiffs have short fur, but they are considered moderate to high shedders.
Your Mastiff’s shedding will also depend on their overall health, time of the year, diet, grooming, hormones, and environment. The Mastiff’s size is also a determinant of how much they shed. And because of their huge body size, they have a larger surface area and more fur to shed.
Why Do Mastiffs Shed
All dogs shed because shedding is a natural process to help get rid of old dead hairs and regrow new ones. Like any other canine, Mastiffs go through the hair growth cycle, which leads to shedding. Dogs with shorter hair growth will shed more than those with a longer hair growth cycle.
The hair growth cycle involves three stages: the anagen (a stage where the growth of new hairs occurs), catagen (a transitional phase where the dog’s fur does not grow or fall), and lastly, telogen (shedding stage). Mastiffs will also shed to adapt to the seasonal changes and maintain their body temperatures. You only need to worry if you notice the shedding is abnormal.
Shedding Seasons and Frequency
When do Mastiffs shed? Time of the year is another factor determining how much a canine shed. For instance, your Mastiff will shed more heavily during the seasonal shedding in fall and spring than any other time of the year. In spring, they will shed heavily to get rid of their heavy, dense fur and develop a lighter one to keep cool in hot summer weather.
They will then shed their light summer fur and develop a heavy and dense one in fall to stay warm in winter. This process is known as coat blowing. This mainly affects dogs that spend too much time outdoors. Indoor dogs won’t experience the blowing of coats and will shed equally all year round. That being said, look out for excessive shedding and differentiate between what’s normal and what’s unhealthy because sometimes your Mastiff could be shedding because of an underlying health issue.
Unhealthy Shedding
As a Mastiff parent, you must know your pup’s shedding habits to notice if they are shedding healthily. Do Mastiffs shed unhealthily? Yes, they can experience unhealthy shedding. This happens primarily because of underlying health problems like fungal or bacterial infections, parasites, nutritional deficiency, hormonal imbalances, and improper grooming. It is so heartbreaking to see your Mastiff shed excessively and not know what could be the problem.
The best solution is for you to visit your vet and get your pup examined to save him from losing too many hairs. Some of the symptoms of unhealthy shedding include irritated skin, bald patches, and excess scratching.
What Type of Coat Does A Mastiff Have?
Mastiffs have a short double coat. The double fur has a topcoat that consists of wiry and straight hairs and a wooly undercoat. The top coat protects the Mastiffs against elements like the water, wind, and ice, whereas the undercoat keeps them warm. Since they are double-coated, they shed heavily twice per year during the seasonal changes.
However, their short fur is an advantage because you won’t notice clumps of hair everywhere in your home, even during seasonal shedding. The type of coat also determines the amount of shedding. For example, the shorter the fur, the less noticeable the hair is than longer fur.
How to Manage and Reduce Mastiffs Shedding
A significant fact is that you can never stop your Mastiff from shedding completely. The only thing you can do is reduce and manage their shedding, which is not difficult. The shedding process is typical of all dogs; it helps to get rid of old loose hairs and grow new ones.
We have several ways to manage and reduce Mastiff’s shedding, but it all comes down to proper diet and grooming. So, without any further ado, let’s dive in and look at how grooming and diet can help manage and reduce your Mastiff’s shedding.
Mastiffs Grooming
As a pet parent, grooming is one area you should never neglect when you want to maintain your dog’s coat health. It will always be a part of dog ownership. Brushing is the best way to reduce and manage your Mastiff’s shedding. It allows you to catch dead, loose hair before they fall onto your floor and spreads.
It would be best to brush your Mastiff regularly to reduce the amount of fur that falls in your home. Brushing also helps distribute the natural oils evenly on their coat, making it healthier and reducing shedding. These dogs have short fur that does not easily get tangled and matted; thus, Mastiffs are low maintenance. When you make grooming and brushing your routine, you will notice that your Mastiff won’t be leaving hairs everywhere in your house.
Mastiff Diet
No magic canine food will stop your Mastiff from shedding completely. But what you feed your pet can make a difference and reduce their shedding. So, ensure you provide your pup a high-quality diet rich in Omega fatty acids to help maintain healthy fur and reduce shedding. You can also consult your vet and ask for the best food for your Mastiff. Be consistent with feeding your Mastiff an optimal diet, and you will surely enjoy a fur-free home and save time on cleaning.
Baths, Supplements…
Bathing your Mastiff is another way of reducing and managing his shedding. Bathe your pup occasionally to get rid of dirt and debris from the fur. Remember to use warm water while bathing your Mastiff. It usually helps to loosen up the dog’s fur and remove all the dead hairs.
After a bath, brush your pup’s fur because it feels like a massage and helps to de-stress them. Remember, stress is among the factors that cause excessive shedding. An advantage of owning a short-haired canine like the Mastiff is they dry very fast after a bath, and therefore, they are not prone to damp and smelly coats.
Adding dietary supplements to your dog’s diet can also help maintain healthy fur. Several pet parents say supplements like Flaxseed, salmon oil, fish oils, and coconut oil, which are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, can help maintain healthy fur. You have to add a small portion of these supplements to your pup’s diet to improve fur health and reduce shedding. You can also consult your local vet to recommend other useful supplements for your Mastiff.
Are Mastiffs Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic has become quite common since most people suffer from dog allergies and want to adopt a dog that will not cause severe allergic reactions. A hypoallergenic canine is less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
Mastiffs are not considered hypoallergenic because they are moderate to heavy shedders. They produce too much dander, a primary culprit of dog allergies. Another reason Mastiffs are not regarded as hypoallergenic is they drool too much. Saliva causes the worst allergies, and because Mastiffs drool, they release a lot of it to the environment.
However, if you are an allergy sufferer and have fallen in love with the Mastiffs, worry less because I have some tips to help you manage your allergies and live comfortably with your furry friend. For starters:
- Ensure your Mastiff’s jowls are always clean from drool and do not allow him to lick you because saliva contains the proteins that cause dog allergies
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after petting your pup to avoid touching your nose or eyes
- Maintain a proper grooming routine to ensure you brush off all the dead loose hairs that carry the allergens that cause allergies
- Feed your Mastiff an optimal diet
- Train your pup to pee in a designated area
- Use a HEPA air filter to catch all the allergens present in the air and have it installed mainly in your bedroom where you spend too much time
- Try allergy medications by either visiting your allergist to recommend some medicines or buying them over the counter
However, if your have severe allergies, I wouldn’t recommend this breed. No matter how great a Mastiff is, your health comes first. In that case, consider well-known hypoallergic dogs such as the Maltese, Poodle, Kerry Blue Terrier, Lagotto Romagnolo, Miniature and Giant Schnauzers, Peruvian Inca Orchid, etc.