Australian Shepherds were initially bred to herd livestock in colder regions of the world, and to keep themselves warm, Aussies developed a double coat for optimal insulation year-round. Australian Shepherd shedding is year-round, too, though you'll notice a surplus of shedding during spring and fall.
Australian shepherds shed a lot. Many dog breeds that have a double-coat, like the Aussie's, are listed among the heaviest shedders out there. The German shepherd, husky, Labrador retriever, and golden retriever all have double coats and all frequently top the list of the heaviest shedders.
The German Shepherd sheds far more than the Australian Shepherd because of its thicker, fluffier coat.
Both dogs shed a fair amount, and require a consistent grooming schedule. With Labradors, shedding is constant. Their waterproof coats, though, only need occasional baths, and they will likely love to take them! With Australian shepherds, the shedding is seasonal.
Australian Shepherd vs Golden Retriever: Shedding Level
Australian Shepherds should also be brushed weekly, but they don't shed heavily like Golden Retrievers.
What Is the Healthiest Non-Shedding Dog? If you want healthy breeds that don't shed, consider the Maltese, Bichon Frise, Poodle, Shih Tzu, Mini Schnauzer, Chinese Crested, Coton de Tulear, or Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.
Most dogs shed hair, especially during the hot summer months, but a dog losing hair in massive amounts or with bald spots could mean something more serious such as allergies, hormonal imbalance, mites, trauma or infection.
So, what's the verdict? While your Golden Retriever's coat will shed everywhere in your furniture, yellow Labs will shed just as much. The only difference is that a Golden might require a bit more daily grooming than a Lab.
One great thing about Huskies is that they often clean themselves (like cats) so they don't need baths as often as other dogs. Australian Shepherds are also shedders, but they don't lose quite as much fur as Huskies. You should brush your Aussie's coat at least once a week to keep your furniture and carpets clean.
Australian Shepherds Coat Characteristics
Australian Shepherd shedding is year-round, too, though you'll notice a surplus of shedding during spring and fall.
While there is no purebred German Shepherd that doesn't shed, crossing them with Poodles will produce dogs that shed minimally. The advantage of all Doodle mixes is that they get the non-shedding trait of their Poodle parent. In the case of the German Shepherd, this mix would be the Shepadoodle.
Your Aussie will bond to his family and be protective of and loyal to them. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that even though Aussies have strong guarding and herding instincts, they are sweet and cuddly indoor dogs that can even be kept in apartments.
Australian Shepherds are prone to developing skin allergies, likely due to genetic factors, but as in most dogs this is potentially influenced by their genes, their upbringing, their exposure to allergens, and their general exposure.
Australian shepherds are prone to worry, but only under certain conditions. The majority of Australian shepherds who have a regular schedule and live in a serene environment do not exhibit signs of anxiousness. However, this breed does not do well without a schedule or frequent attention from their owners.
1. Border collie. According to The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence, the border collie is the smartest dog breed known to man.
Aussies are cotton ball fluffy when they're tiny and then they loose all that fluff and have this thin, soft, wispy chicken feather coat for a while during their adolescent phase. As they get closer to being 1 year old they finally get a long, slightly more dense and coarse adult coat (see pics below).
Most Australian Shepherds do not require a coat because their natural coat provides ample protection in cold weather. However, if your Australian Shepherd has a thin coat, or if he or she is very young, old, or unwell, a coat may be required to give extra warmth in extremely cold weather.
Double coated dogs like Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Border Collies, Pomeranians, and Australian Shepherds have two layers of fur. The bottom layer, closest to the dogs skin, is very thick and dense. This layer is referred to as the "undercoat." The top layer is stiffer and usually coarser.
Best: The Bichon Frise and Labradoodle Are Great Hypoallergenic Dogs. Both the labradoodle and the bichon frise are often recommended for people with dog allergies because of their easy-to-maintain coats. Labradoodles with wool-like hair may not pick up as many outdoor allergens as other breeds.
The idea that there's a dog that doesn't shed at all is a myth. There's no dog breed that is completely non-shedding; all dogs shed to some degree. But there are low-shedding dogs that keep shedding to a minimum—and, in fact, shed so little, you probably won't even notice.
Dogs that do shed most include Akitas, Siberian huskies, Bernese mountain dogs, Boston terriers, chow chows, corgis, Labrador retrievers, Pekingese, German shepherds and Newfoundlands.