Because the undercoat is primarily needed in the winter and summer, Aussies will lose their undercoat every spring and fall. This is a heavy shedding period that's common among all dog breeds with a double coat. It's also known as blowing their coat.
Australian Shepherd Coats
It gets thicker in the winter to protect against the elements. It thins out in the summer to keep them cool. Double-coated dogs shed more than single coated dogs, so that's the reason that your Aussie is likely to shed more than a Maltese or other single-coated breeds.
This typically occurs when the Australian Shepherd is between 6 months to 1 year of age and will involve your Aussie shedding its soft puppy coat for a more dense adult coat. This typically lasts for a month at most.
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).
Bathe Your Dog 1-2 Times a Month
Regular grooming is good, constant grooming is bad. Try not to bathe your Aussie more than 1-2 times per month because you'll risk removing the natural oils from their coat. Use a deshedding dog shampoo to add vitamin E and fatty acids into their coat to help reduce excess shedding.
Your Aussie may require time to adjust to a new life and learn to trust you before he feels comfortable enough to cuddle with you. To cuddle means to be vulnerable, and your dog may just need patience and time to understand that his vulnerability won't put him in a position to be hurt.
The Australian Shepherd is an average shedding breed that, given its double coat, tends to shed more during seasonal changes like spring and fall. They're fairly low maintenance with respect to grooming but should be brushed regularly to keep their coat in good shape and reduce shedding.
Shedding season for a pup can last for 2-4 weeks but you can make it. While dog shedding may not be so enjoyable, there is a lot about Fall to enjoy.
Different dog breeds shed in different amounts: Some shed seasonally, while others shed year-round. This depends on the type of coat your dog has. A Golden Retriever, for example, has a thicker double-coat, which makes it more likely to shed year-round.
Australian Shepherds Coat Characteristics
Australian Shepherd shedding is year-round, too, though you'll notice a surplus of shedding during spring and fall.
Shedding is normal, but excessive shedding in dogs could be reason for concern. The possible causes of excessive shedding may be related to low-quality food, the wrong shampoo, parasites, stress, or underlying issues. Excessive shedding can be helped by: Talking to your vet.
Shedding is influenced by coat characteristics, sunlight, temperature, health, allergies, nutrition, cleanliness, hormones, pregnancy and lactation. Dog breeds with less hair (no undercoat) or with wiry or curly hair appear to shed less than dogs with double coats or with straight hair.
Medical conditions that can cause abnormal shedding include:
Infections (fungal or bacterial) Parasites (fleas, lice, or mites) Allergies (inhalant, food-related, or topical) Kidney, liver, thyroid, or adrenal disease (including Cushing's Disease)
You can decrease your dog's shedding by supplementing their diet with olive or flaxseed oil. These oils are incredibly rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are fantastic for soothing and nourishing inflamed skin.
Yes, changing your dog's diet may have a huge impact on their shedding! If the food your dog is currently eating doesn't have the right nutrients, changing to a food formulated for your dog's needs can dramatically reduce the amount they're shedding.
As they age, their skin and coat will become weaker. If you have a senior dog and notice an increase in shedding, know that this is a normal part of the aging process as a dog gets older.
THE AUSTRALIAN COBBERDOG IS THE HYPOALLERGENIC DOG
We say that the Australian Cobberdog is hypoallergenic because it doesn't shed, it's fur doesn't fall, or produce dandruff or chafing (unless it is suffering from a dermatological problem).
Australian Shepherds are active and intelligent dogs that make great companions. They require regular brushing, tick and flea checks, ear cleaning, and nail trimming. They also require regular veterinary care and should be groomed regularly.
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 Shepherds are known for their fierce loyalty with one person, that doesn't mean every Shepherd will act like that. Some Shepherds might not build a particularly strong bond with any one family member. Others might like one of you more than another, but they don't sit on you to show it.
Aussies can be very clingy. They crave human companionship and love being included in pretty much everything you do, including being involved in all family activity. Since they require an active lifestyle, they will want to join in everything and anything that is going on around them.
Laying on their back while getting some shut-eye helps dogs cool off. Unlike people who sweat to control their body temperature, dogs perspire through the pads of their feet.