Many dog breeds begin to shed more intensely in the fall, which serves an important function, but also places a significant additional burden on owners to clean up the shed fur. We recommend a practical method to minimize this task.

Some dogs shed intensively in spring and fall, while certain breeds shed more noticeably throughout the year, and there are also breeds that do not shed at all. Owners of breeds that shed heavily need to be prepared for both proper coat care and the cleaning tasks that come with having a pet.

Short-haired breeds, such as Boston Terriers, also shed / Photo: welovedogz.hu/en

Shedding has a function

As always, nature acts wisely; the coat shed in spring and fall is replaced by a new one: looser in summer, adapted to high temperatures, and denser in winter to protect against the cold. There are two things you can do to make things easier for both your dog and yourself. One is to regularly comb your pet's coat with a tool suitable for their coat type. This will help you get rid of loose hair as quickly as possible and prevent it from landing on your sofa, carpet, or car upholstery.

Take grooming outside

Promoting hair loss is also more pleasant for your dog, as loose hairs can be annoying, cause itching, and prevent ventilation. If you do this in the garden, the loose hairs will be carried away by the wind and won't stick to your furniture, saving you even more time by minimizing the amount of cleaning you need to do. If you don't have a yard, feel free to take the brush with you on walks and do some coat care during one of your breaks.

In addition, the right bathing and grooming products can also help make the coat change as effective as possible and the new coat as healthy as possible. To avoid having to make a decision based solely on advertising, we recommend asking your veterinarian or an experienced dog groomer for their opinion on the matter. It may also be helpful to talk to the breeder, as they have extensive experience in breed care.

You can brush your pet while walking / Photo: welovedogz.hu/en

Diet also affects coat quality

Of course, the condition of your dog's coat depends largely on what they eat. A proper, balanced diet containing all the necessary nutrients is the cornerstone of health, including a healthy coat. In many cases, a worn, dull, patchy coat is the result of a nutrient deficiency (or it could be a skin disease, so this should be investigated).

It may be that your pet ate less during the hot summer months, while the cold months may warrant an increase in the amount of food and a change in its nutritional composition. This is not necessarily true for indoor pets, but even in their case, changes in health may necessitate such adjustments. In this matter, too, the veterinarian is the competent professional who knows your four-legged friend's medical history and can therefore decide whether you need to change their diet and, if so, how.

You may need a groomer

It depends on the breed which dog's coat needs to be trimmed regularly. It is best to seek the help of a professional groomer. If your pet is easy to groom, you can learn how to do it yourself, but sometimes it is easier for the owner to leave this task to a professional. If you want to do it yourself, be sure to consult with the groomer about what tools you need to purchase for home use. In addition to grooming, discuss nail, ear, and eye care; these are important for all dogs, but some breeds may require more frequent attention.