The Schnauzers are square-built, medium-sized working dogs that are always alert. They were bred for tasks like guarding, hunting, and herding. They are very active, fearless, obedient, and loyal family dogs. They are also very friendly with kids making them suitable for owners with children. They come in three sizes: Miniature, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers.
Are you thinking of owning this wonderful canine? Well, before you do that, ensure you are familiar with their shedding habits, so you don’t regret ever welcoming your furry friend inside your home. This shedding guide will educate you on everything you need to know about Schnauzer shedding. So, let’s get into it!
Do Schnauzers shed? Yes, they do like any other canine breed. However, their shedding is minimal, so some owners claim their Schnauzers do not shed. There are three types of Schnauzers, Miniature, Standard, and Giant. All shed the same amount of fur, but the Schnauzer’s size affects the amount of shedding. The bigger the Schnauzer (Giant), the more fur you will see.
Any future Schnauzer owner should consider themselves lucky because this canine breed is a minimal shedder and won’t leave behind hairs in your house. You won’t spend too much time cleaning your home, but rather enjoying the company of your furry friend.
Their low shedding trait is also advantageous to people who suffer from dog allergies because they are less likely to trigger allergic reactions. This article will explain how much, when, and why Schnauzers shed, their coat type, if they are hypoallergenic, and lastly, ways of managing and reducing their shedding even though they already shed less.
How Much Do Schnauzers Shed
The Schnauzer canine breed is a low shedding canine that sheds very little or sometimes none. People love Schnauzers and often prefer choosing them because of their less shedding trait. Most people love dogs, but not everyone wants to clean after them regularly. That is why they choose the Schnauzer. If you take good care of your Schnauzer’s coat, you won’t notice their shedding. Other Schnauzers’ parents even claim that their canine does not shed, although this is not true.
Schnauzers shed, but their shedding is very minimal. How much Schnauzers shed depends mainly on their size? We have the Miniature, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers. Small dogs shed less than bigger ones because of their smaller surface area and less fur to shed in the first place.
In that case, a Miniature Schnauzer will shed less than Standard and Giant Schnauzers. All three Schnauzer types shed the same amount, but the only difference is that the Giant Schnauzer will leave behind more fur. Still, you cannot compare the hairs left behind by a Giant Schnauzer to other canine breeds that shed much.
Why Do Schnauzers Shed
All canines with fur and coats shed, and Schnauzers are no different. Shedding is normal, and it helps them get rid of old dead hairs and regrow new ones. Schnauzers will also shed to adjust to the seasonal weather change and maintain an optimal body temperature. They will molt and regrow new fur to keep them warm in winter and cool during summer. Schnauzers also undergo the hair growth cycle, which takes too long that’s why they are a less shedding canine breed. Remember, the longer the hair growth cycle, the less the shedding. The hair growth cycle involves three stages: the anagen, catagen, and telogen.
Shedding Seasons and Frequency
When do Schnauzers shed? The Schnauzer will shed minimally throughout most of the year. But like other double-coated canine breeds, they will shed a little bit more in spring and fall. Seasonal shedding is just a way of dogs adapting to the weather changes. However, Schnauzers won’t shed as much as other double-coated canine breeds, even during the seasonal shedding. You will only notice an additional amount of fur during the blowing of coat season. This means that your Schnauzer is just getting rid of hairs they no longer need and developing new ones for a particular season.
Unhealthy Shedding
Differentiating between normal and unhealthy shedding is part of being a dog owner. The Schnauzer is a less shedding canine breed, and therefore it is easier to note if they are shedding unhealthily. At no point should your Schnauzer shed much because it is not associated with excessive shedding. However, some factors could make your Schnauzer shed much. They include hormonal imbalances in pregnant females, stress, underlying health issue, infections, and parasites. For instance, a young Schnauzer you just adopted will shed a lot because it is anxious and stressed.
Aside from excessive shedding, other symptoms of unhealthy shedding to look out for include face rubbing, scratching, foot licking, dry and dull fur, irritated skin, and bald patches on their fur. Visit your vet immediately if you notice any of these symptoms or if you are concerned about your Schnauzer’s shedding. Your vet should be able to identify what is causing your pup to shed excessively, and offer the right solutions.
What Type of Coat Does a Schnauzer Have?
Schnauzers are double-coated canine breeds. They have a soft and fluffy undercoat and a wiry, coarse topcoat, thus giving them a distinctive appearance. Both the undercoat and the topcoat are short. Their undercoat helps them regulate the body temperature during extreme cold and hot weather, thus keeping them warm in winter and cool in summer. Their hair is prone to tangles and mats, and therefore it is essential to brush it to maintain a good look.
When you meet the Schnauzer for the first time, you might think they shed much because of their face that has fur which hangs out. In addition, many people believe that all double-coated canine breeds shed a lot. That is not true because the Schnauzers are double-coated and do not shed much even during the seasonal shedding.
How to Manage and Reduce Schnauzers Shedding
First, you have to understand shedding is a normal process for every canine breed with hair. So, you can never stop your pup from completely shedding because it is a necessary process that helps dogs get rid of dead loose hairs and regrow new ones. Secondly, Schnauzers do not shed much, and there isn’t much you need to do to minimize their shedding. Ways of reducing your Schnauzer’s shedding involve things like brushing, diet, and bathing, which have a considerable impact.
Schnauzers Grooming
Grooming your Schnauzer is the secret to enjoying a fur-free home and keeping their shedding to an absolute minimum. Even though the Schnauzer is a low-shedding canine breed, its fur needs proper maintenance to keep it healthy and shedding low. You will have to spend time taking care of your Schnauzer’s coat to keep it free from mats and tangle.
Brushing is the most effective way to do that. Brushing also helps to catch all the dead loose hairs before falling onto your couch and carpet. Additionally, it helps spread the natural oils evenly on their coats, thus maintaining a healthy one. A wire brush is what your Schnauzer needs to manage their shedding.
Some Schnauzer owners prefer hand stripping their pup’s coat (a process of removing dead hair by plucking them out). Other Schnauzer parents usually hire professional groomers to attend to their pup’s coat. So, you can also take your Schnauzer to a professional groomer for regular clipping and trimming to help reduce shedding.
It would be best to cut your Schnauzer’s coat during spring and fall to minimize shedding because that is when they shed more. You have to be very careful not to remove his undercoat because he needs it to help regulate his body temperature in cold and hot weather.
Schnauzers Diet
Always remember, a healthy Schnauzer will never shed much. So, always feed your pup high-quality canine food to keep their fur healthy and reduce shedding. Their diet should include foods rich in Omega fatty acids to keep the fur healthy.
Baths, Supplements…
Bathing helps to reduce shedding by removing debris and keeping your pup’s fur healthy. Always use a quality dog shampoo while bathing your Schnauzer. Schnauzers tend to have oily skin, and an occasional bath is what they need to maintain healthier fur. Frequent baths will strip their skin of the natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to shedding.
As I mentioned earlier, a proper diet is essential for keeping the dog’s fur healthy and shedding when necessary. Perhaps your Schnauzer isn’t getting the required nutrients from their diet. If that’s the case, consult with your vet about the best dietary supplements to add to your Schnauzer’s diet to help encourage a healthy fur and reduce shedding.
Are Schnauzers Hypoallergenic
The answer to do Schnauzers shed is closely related to whether or not they are allergy-friendly. The simple answer is yes; all Schnauzers are considered hypoallergenic because they are less likely to trigger allergic reactions. A canine is usually regarded as hypoallergenic when they shed less, drool less, and produces less dander.
This makes a Schnauzer hypoallergenic since they are a low-shedding canine breed and produce less dander. Even though no canine is 100% hypoallergenic, Schnauzers top the list of dogs that allergy sufferers can tolerate. This is good news for dog lovers who have allergies because they can enjoy the company of this furry friend.
It is wrong to associate a hypoallergenic dog with those who don’t shed because the truth is dog allergies are not a reaction to their hair. Most allergy sufferers are always affected by the protein found in dogs’ urine, saliva, and dander. Some of the most common allergy symptoms include itchy eyes, running nose, coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing.
That being said, here are some ways to further reduce the likelihood of your Schnauzer triggering your allergic reaction:
- Set boundaries in your house and keeping your pup out of your bedroom
- Wash your hands after petting your dog to avoid touching your nose and eyes
- Train your pup to pee in a designated area
- Ensure you groom your canine regularly to reduce the number of allergens released into the air
- Feed your puppy a high-quality canine food to maintain healthy fur that doesn’t shed unnecessarily
- Talk to your doctor about some allergy medications to help contain your allergies
- Regularly vacuum use a HEPA air filter to help remove allergens in your environment