Poodles are often hard to miss. Their sleek physique and curly hair exude a sort of sophistication that makes most people think of them of as high-maintenance homebodies that would rather sit indoors and look pretty than explore the great outdoors.
This is however far from the truth as this unique dog breed serves more than just great magazine cover looks. Poodles are very intelligent which makes the task of training them easy and enjoyable.
As a matter of fact, they are ranked the second most intelligent dog breed in the world. They also love to interact and are very friendly and patient too.
Do Poodles shed hair or not? It is said that poodles do not shed, however, this statement is not entirely true. Poodles just like any dog breed will shed their hair every few weeks. The only difference is that it does not shed in the traditional sense of canine shedding. A poodle, unlike other dog breeds, has just one layer of dense curled hair. When this hair falls off, it often falls back into the coat and thus the dog does not drop around lots of hairs.
Does Minimal Shedding Make a Poodle Hypoallergenic?
You may also be curious to know whether the poodle’s reputation of being hypoallergenic is true. Yes, there are still a few people that may be allergic to this dog breed.
This is because their hair still contains some amounts of dander and certain people may find this a trigger. Pet dander is dry dust-like materials on the dog’s skin that is just like human dandruff. The dander is what usually triggers allergies and not the dog’s hair.
Poodles shed every 21 days as opposed to other breeds that shed every 3 to 4 days which greatly reduces the amount of allergens that could lead to an allergic reaction. They also naturally have a low frequency towards dander.
But dander is not the only trigger when it comes to pets, saliva and urine can also contribute to allergy attacks. So, to add to what makes poodles hypoallergenic is the fact that they drool less.
Having a dog that drools less will greatly reduce allergic triggers. On the issue of urine, poodles will pee just like any other breeds. The good thing is that they are easy to train and you just have to assign designated potty corners and then avoid the corners to prevent any allergies.
Is There A Solution to Poodle Shedding?
To keep your dog’s shedding in check, constant grooming is a must. The unique curly hair of poodle needs to be brushed daily, and perhaps this is why most people consider them high maintenance.
Failing to brush the hair will cause it to matte which can be painful and your dog will also miss out on the glamourous look associated with poodles.
You will need to invest in a number of products for both daily and general grooming which may include slicker combs, steel combs, dog shampoo and conditioner, scissors and electric clippers.
Daily combing helps get rid of the shed hair trapped onto the groom and at the same time prevents the hairs from knotting. You will also need to regularly perform the equivalent of a hair cut on your poodle every 6 to 8 weeks. This can be done at home or you can hire a professional.
To minimize the grooming costs, many people opt for short cuts as it is simpler to care for hair as it grows in rather than deal with a huge amount of hair to untangle and brush daily.
A poodle needs to be bathed at least once a week. The actual frequency however depends on the coat is kept. Poodles with longer hair or those that spend a lot of time outdoors may require more frequent baths.
Also, when you cannot bath your dog, consider area-focused cleaning where you use a sponge to clean individual areas such as paws, tail, face, and ears. You can also sponge-clean parts of the hair that are evidently dirty from things such as mud.
Before bathing a poodle, make sure to brush the hair first and repeat after the hair is clean and dried for easy management.
Extreme Shedding in Poodles
Shedding is natural process that occurs in all dogs as a result of various internal and external conditions. Factors such as weather, seasonal changes, pregnancy and other health conditions play a part in the process.
However, in some cases, you might notice that a dog sheds more hair or has an increased shedding frequency than what is considered normal. In this case, there could a serious underlying issue affecting the poodle.
Some of the issues causing your poodle to shed too much include;
Alopecia X
The condition is also referred to as adrenal hyperplasia-like syndrome or adult onset growth-hormone deficiency. This is a hereditary disorder more common in small poodle varieties and cold weather breeds like malamutes and pommeranians.
It causes hair loss along both sides of the dog’s body. It starts near the base of the tail and continues up the spine as the disorder progresses. The front legs and head remain unaffected. The disease usually has no other symptoms besides the hair loss.
Allergies
Excessive shedding in poodles is a key indicator that your dog is suffering from am allergy. The allergy could be triggered by a range of substances that may include dust, pollen or even a chemical in any of the products you use around your home.
The shedding due to allergies occurs because the skin in dogs tends to become brittle and this damages the hair follicle causing hair to fall out.
Sebaceous Adenitis
This is a condition that causes inflammation of the oil-producing sebaceous glands. It is common among standard poodles and you will often notice slowed growth in your poodle’s hair. Other symptoms include skin irritation, excessive thirst, and hair loss.
Other issues like infections such as ringworms or infestation by pests like lice and fleas can also cause bald spots to occur on your dog. What these conditions do is that they damage the skin and thereafter any simple tension on the hair strands such as scratching causes the hair strands to fall out.
To prevent excessive hair loss in poodles, you will first need to identify the underlying cause. A visit to the vet will offer an accurate diagnosis and allow for effective treatment.
Tips for a Healthy Coat of Hair in Poodles
Just like you, a dog needs a balanced and nutritious diet to remain healthy on the inside and out. Consult your veterinarian to understand the unique needs of your poodle. Issues like genetics, health condition and environmental factors will play a role in determining what is best for your poodle.
Healthy hair, strong bones and muscles, stamina and emotional wellness are all benefits of a good diet. You can supplement meals with oils and vitamins just to ensure your dog is getting all the necessary nutrients. To be safe consult your vet before starting on any supplements.
Exercise also contributes to your poodle’s appearance. Taking your dog for regular walks will boost its energy levels, emotional wellness and also helps keep its body healthy on the inside and out, which includes their hair. Hydration is also important.
Provide your poodle with plenty of clean water to drink at all times to minimize risk of skin problems that eventually lead to hair loss. Also pay attention to the products you use on your dog. Some products are very harsh on their skin which is why your dog could be shedding a lot.
Opt for products that have the ability to clean and care for the skin and hair without causing dryness or irritation. Always look at the ingredients in products such as shampoos and conditioners.
Does Poodle Hair Differ Across Varieties?
Poodles have their roots in Germany and with time we have come to have three main varieties of the breed. There is the standard poodle, toy poodle and the miniature poodle.
There is a distinct difference between the three types in terms of their physical appearance. However, when it comes to the coat, they are all curly and grow to unrestricted lengths. The color on the hand is determined by the gene pool and is not specific to a certain poodle variety.
How Does the Poodle Coat Change with Time?
When poodles are born, they all have a puppy coat that is soft and wavy. This is way different from what the adult coat looks like. As the poodles grow, the coat steadily changes and begins to grow thicker and curlier.
This typically begins at 9 months for the miniature and toy poodle and will happen within the next 9 months. This is to mean that by the time they are 18 to 24 months, they will have a full adult coat.
Standard poodles also go through these changes with the only difference being that they do not take as long to get their full adult coat. Their coat starts to change between 9 and 16 months and the process lasts for approximately 3 months.
An adult coat becomes matted easily and you need to regularly groom it through brushing ad clipping. Once you establish a regular care routine, managing the hair becomes easy and you will also appreciate how the dog looks at the end.
The average lifespan of a poodle is 12 to 15 years. And provided you care for your dog right; the curly coat will continue to look good even as the dog ages. If you are considered owning one, make sure you are ready to commit to its grooming needs in addition to other demands it may have.
94% of pet owners say their animal pal makes them smile more than once a day. In 2007, I realized that I was made for saving Animals. My father is a Vet, and I think every pet deserves one. I started this blog, “InPetCare”, in 2019 with my father to enlighten a wider audience.