Studies show that cuddling an animal can help reduce stress in humans.
Most pet owners love the tactile sensation of their pet’s soft, silky and cuddly fur while running their hands through it.
We are sure you are not excited or happy about seeing the gazillion hair that has been shed in your house, car, etc.
Do Rottweilers Shed?
Generally, Rottweilers shed moderately throughout the year except during the spring and fall when they shed heavily. To adapt to the temperature change, Rottweilers shed the old coat and grew the new one. Daily grooming can help to minimize the hair dropped.
Shedding is a natural process for your furry friends but it can sometimes be irritating for their owners. For some dogs, shedding is a very crucial part of their fur and skin health. They get rid of the old hair by shedding it.
The amount of fur shedding depends on a lot of factors like the breed of the dog, whether they have a double or single fur layer and time of the year.
Factors That Can Affect Your Rottweiler’s Shedding
Seasons
Just like humans fall sich when they are under the weather, your dog will shed too when the season changes. In summer and spring when its usually warm, your pet will shed its coat to keep himself/herself cool.
Type of Coat
A few dogs have single coat which means they do not have undercoat. Other dogs have double coat, which means they have undercoat and topcoat.
The double coat is soft and has a shot undercoat. You will be able to see it when you brush back the fur.
Losing the Puppy Hair
As puppies grow, they may lose some hair and make room for new hair. Shedding of hair is normal for dogs like all other mammals.
Age
As dogs grow, they lose their hair and the same happens with Rottweilers. When the dog is older and loses hair, the hair growth process slows down and you may notice bald spots.
A few other ageing signs include greying hair and dry skin. The hair will also be prone to breakage.
Nutrition
Nutrient deficiency can affect your dog’s coat. If you only feed them homemade diet or low-quality commercial foods, that are low in required nutrition, then your pet may experience hair fall.
Make sure to check for signs like sparse hair, change in hair colour, pressure sores, dull hair, split ends and scaly skin. To prevent all this, ensure that your dog is fed top-quality food that is rich in nutrients.
Health
There are a few illnesses that your Rottweiler pet can develop. Your pet may even develop health conditions that may lead to hair loss. This is not the same as shedding, which is a natural process. You should see a vet if your Rottweiler is facing hair loss issues.
Hormonal Cycles
This is for female Rottweilers only. During the heat cycle, they undergo physical changes that are stressful. This may lead to more shedding and hair loss.
Her body is telling her to find a mate, and if she cannot, then there are chances that she may experience anxiety or become aggressive.
During the heat cycle, estrogen levels are high, which may cause hair loss.
Lifestyle
Some dogs live indoors most of the time while some live outdoors. Some live in cold climates, while some in tropical. This shows that dogs with different lifestyles may have different shedding cycles.
If your Rottweiler likes to stay outdoors, then he/she will need a thick coat during winters. In the same way, if your pet is outdoors most of the time during warm months, he/she will shed the undercoat.
On the other hand, a Rottweiler living indoors will not require much insulation when compared to a dog who lives outdoors. Dogs living indoors will shed the same amount of hair compared to dogs living outdoors.
Baths
It is best to limit showers for your Rottie pet. Puppies should not be bathed until they are 8 weeks old.
Make sure to use a good quality shampoo that is safe to use and protects their coat. It will avoid scratching and itching that usually happens after using a shampoo that irritates their skin.
Usually, dogs itch a lot which may lead to hair loss in that specific spot. Their skin can also become flaky and dry if they bathe often. Thus, bathing once a month is ideal.
What is a Rottie’s Coat Like?
Rottweilers adapt to the environment very well and this reflects in their coat. They usually have short to medium length hair. Even if they do not have long hair, they will still shed.
Their coats have two layers, undercoat and topcoat. The topcoat is more like a guard coat that shields the skin from harsh weather and sunburn. The undercoat helps protect them from cold. During the cold season, they will grow thick undercoats to insulate them from the chilly weather.
During summer, they do not require the undercoat and hence that is the layer that your pet will shed. Usually, rottweilers have an undercoat that is light in colour than a topcoat.
Other dog breeds that have double-layered coats are Golden Retrievers, Huskies and German Shepherds. Remember that every Rottweiler has a unique coat and will shed differently. Your pet’s lifestyle and food also affect their coat.
If your Rottie likes to be outdoors or in case you live in a cold region, then your pet will grow a thicker coat which also means more shedding during the shedding season.
Rottweiler Shedding Season and Blowing Coat
Rottweilers are not heavy shedders like German Shepherds. They are moderate shedders and you can expect shedding year-round.
Since they have double coats, they can go through coat blow, which is seasonal shedding of undercoat to get used to the season. Sometimes the timing can get thrown off due to climate change, the usual shedding seasons are spring and fall.
During the summers, they start shedding their winter undercoat to adapt to the warm weather. In the same way, during winters, they will shed their summer coat.
How do I stop my Rottweiler from shedding?
Although they do not shed as much as some other dog breeds, you can reduce their hair loss with a clean and healthy coat. Ensure to brush the coat often, reduce any stress in their lives and feed them healthy foods.
Here are steps that can help you make shedding manageable:
Brush the coat regularly
Bristle Brush
Each dog has a unique coat. Make sure to choose the right brush.
- The best choice is to go with bristle brushes for all kinds of coats. For longer coat, choose a brush with long bristles. For a shorter coat, choose a stiff brush.
- For curly and woolly coat, wire-pin brushes are ideal.
- Slicker brushes are perfect for those who are prone to tangles and mats.
- For dogs having short hair, you can use rubber curry combs. This kind of brush can also be used to massage their skin.
Shedding tool
This tool is useful if your dog shed year-round or seasonally. The shedding tool is useful for removing dead skin from your dog.
It is a brush with stainless steel tines, perfect for removing extra undercoat fur. The brush also helps in removing dead hair.
Healthy diet
Healthy food helps their hair follicles become stronger which helps in minimizing shedding caused by undernourishment.
Hydration
Ensure to give fresh water to your dog. It is important for overall health and keeps their skin hydrated. Dehydrated skin can lead to shedding.
Bathing properly
Bathing keeps your dog clean and helps remove dead hair. You can use a de-shedding shampoo to ease shedding.
Causes of Excessive Hair Loss in Rottweilers
For a few breeds, excessive shedding is normal. Make sure to notice seasonal changes in your dog’s shedding patterns to understand if there is something amiss.
Hair loss except shedding can indicate health problems like:
- Parasites like fleas, mites, or lice
- Liver conditions
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
- Allergies
- Food allergies
- Side-effects from medication
- Thyroid or adrenal issues
- Kidney disease
- Pregnancy
- Immune disease
- Anxiety or stress
- Sunburn
- Topical irritants
- Cancer
Rush your Rottie to the vet if you notice more hair fall than regular. Other signs to observe include excessive scratching, bald patterns, inflamed skin and brittle fur.
Conclusion
Shedding can be frustrating sometimes but understand that it’s normal. Grooming your dog can help reduce hair loss.
Make sure to give time to brushing and bathing your dog. This also helps grow your bond. It can help you check your dog for dry skin, parasites or bumps. Grooming makes dogs healthy and happy.
