Do Poodles shed? As one of the most popular dog breeds alive, it comes as no surprise that many know about this adorable breed.
Not only that dog owners that about this breed’s traits, but even dog lovers know that Poodles are one of the most popular dogs for a reason.
This breed is known for being friendly, people-oriented, and for being low-shedder.
Poodle is often the first choice for those who live in busy city areas, as they come in three sizes, varying from Standard Poodle, to Miniature Poodle to Toy Poodle.
Thanks to their varieties in size, Poodles are among the most compact dogs, one of those breeds that can easily adapt to house living, and equally easy to city living.
Seeing them in rural areas isn’t common, but seeing them in busy city areas is a normal occurrence.
Although people love them for their compact size, soft nature, and activity levels, they are most popular for being highly intelligent dogs who don’t shed much.
Do Poodles Shed?
Poodle is often promoted as a hypoallergenic breed making it suitable for people with allergies.
In other words, Poodles do not shed much, or at all, but we will elaborate on this further in this article. Keep on reading!
If you have any sort of allergy make sure that you first talk with your doctor.
If your doctor tells you that it is OK and safe to think about welcoming a dog into your life, then you can think about welcoming a dog into your life.
Even when your doctor gives you the green light you should first spend some time surrounded by dogs before you decide to get a dog.
This way you are protecting your health and being honest about whether a dog is a suitable pet for you at this moment or not.
If a dog is still an option for you would you consider adopting a dog?
People continually hit hardships in life and animal shelters are often packed with both purebred and mixed breeds.
You will be surprised to learn that even some of the rarest dog breeds are waiting to be taken out from an animal shelter to their happy home.
That being said, if you’re thinking about adopting a dog – kudos to you for saving a life!
So… Do Poodles Shed? Poodles are best-know for being hypoallergenic dogs who do not shed, but this is not entirely wrong or true.
They do not shed like other dog breeds do, such as German Shepherds do, but they do drop dander that is absorbed via air.
Dander is what triggers allergies in humans. Now, you may ask – why is this breed less of a shredder than the others are?
Poodles come with specific coats, mostly curly which makes them perfect for trapping dander, which further results in a cleaner environment and more allergy-free living space.
Let’s elaborate more on Poodle coats and why they are so unique.
Poodle Coats
Poodles are great dogs who are highly appreciated due to their low-shedding coats.
They are often promoted as a non-shedding breed, but that isn’t the case entirely, because they do shed. However, they do not shed like the majority of dogs do, nor do they shed in identical amounts.
Poodles have a single-layered coat, meaning that Poodles do not have an underlayer of soft fur.
Those who are allergic to dogs are actually not allergic to dogs, but they are allergic to this downy fur, which is also known as dander.
As mentioned, Poodles do not have this downy fur, which is why they have far less dander, which makes them tolerable for allergy sufferers.
Is it fair to say that Poodles have a coat that is similar to a human hair? In a way, yes, or at least it is far more similar to human hair, than to the hair of other dog breeds.
Poodles have a dense, wavy, or curly coat, that serves as dander traps.
When Poodles shed (and they do shed) the hair falls into the coat rather than falling out. Good to know: Dogs may shed, but they can still be non-smelly, making them great for apartment living.
Once it falls, it remains trapped until you brush it free.
Due to this kind of coat, Poodles are relatively hair-free compared to Siberian Husky or Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Poodle Shedding
If you are still not sure if Poodles shed, know that Poodles do shed. They may shed less than other dogs do, but they do shed.
It is fair to say that Poodles shed the least, thanks to their coat texture that traps the dander.
This is something that is very convenient when it comes to keeping allergies away and having a clean living space but know that proper going is still a must.
If you miss providing proper grooming you can expect excess hair, dirt, dander, burrs, and mites to stay stuck which can lead to future disturbance.
Next to Poodles, there are other dog breeds that don’t shed much according to AKC.
Check them below:
- Afghan Hound
- American Hairless Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- Chinese Crested
- Coton de Tulear
- Giant Schnauzer
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Maltese
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Spanish Water Dog
- Standard Schnauzer
- Xoloitzcuintli
It is common for dogs to shed their puppy coat to make an area for their adult coat. This usually happens around four to six months of age.
Interestingly, Poodles tend to blow their coat a bit later on:
- Standard Poodles lose their coat between nine to 16 months of age
- Minature and Toy Poodles lose their puppy coat when they turn nine months
This process of losing coat is much longer than for other breeds.
For example, a Standard Poodle may lose a puppy coat and grow an adult coat for a period of up to three months.
Just like humans, dogs are individual beings and this process may be shorter or longer depending on the dog.
Why Do Dogs Shed?
All mammals shed their hair. Hair goes through defined growth cycles and falls out naturally at the end of its growth cycle. When this hair falls out, new hair starts to grow.
Depending on the breed the amount of shedding will vary.
Breeds such as Poodles and dogs listed above are minimal shedders like dogs with thick double coats such as Alaskan Malamute or Chow Chow, or even Labrador Retriever shed a lot, especially during the shedding season.
Good to know: Shedding season occurs twice a year, in the spring and in autumn.
To handle dog hair easier during the shedding season have a vacuum cleaner on hand and provide more frequent brushing sessions.
If you have a Poodle already so far you know how much they shed and when.
If their hair loss is massive, there is probably an underlying health issue.
In most cases, dogs will lose more hair than normal if they suffer from certain illnesses or skin conditions.
Here are some of the common causes of hair loss in dogs:
- Skin infections
- Inflammatory diseases
- Hormonal imbalances
- Nutritional deficiencies
How Much Do Poodles Shed?
When you hear dog lowers or Poodle owners saying that their Poodles don’t shed much, what does it mean? Can one really measure dander? Or the amount of shedding unless it is displayed in hair?
It is known that an average human will lose about 100 hairs a day, and humans don’t have an enormous amount of hair like dogs do.
For example, large-size dogs (those who have hair) will lose more hair as they have more coat area.
Small-size dogs, especially small-size dogs are considered to be hypoallergenic do not hed much, and if you are really considering shedding and you want to keep your home as clean as possible maybe a Toy Poodle is the best option for you.
At least, a Toy Poodle may be a better option for your opposite to Standard Poodle if you are really worried about shedding.
Grooming Your Poodle
Poodles are known for their curly coats which are often described as fluffy, making them one of the easiest breeds to recognize.
Keeping their coat clean and shiny requires a certain level of dedication.
In other words, to keep Poodles’ coats clean and their coat healthy you will have to implement a proper grooming practice.
This means that weekly brushing with proper grooming tools is a must, especially if you want to avoid tangles and unwanted debris.
For this breed to thrive and for you to keep your home debris-free you should brush your Poodle daily for maximum results.
Otherwise, you may learn what it is like to have a dog with tangles or matter – which may lead to further problems in the long run.
If this sounds like too much work for you you can think about hiring a professional go-groomer.
If you go for this option, know that it may be a bit costly, but it will save you time.
Not only that you will have more time to spend on play with your Poodle but you will have always looking great dog.
Regular visits to the groomer every four to six weeks should be enough to keep your Poodle looking fresh.
Why Is My Poodle Losing Hair?
No owner wants to see a beloved dog lose hair. Still, this may happen due to many reasons.
In Poodles, hair loss usually happens for a specific reason. It is common for female Poodles to lose hair when in heat or when she is whelping a litter.
In some cases, hair loss may be linked to hormonal changes. Poodles have a very rich coat in texture and when it starts to fall out, you should not pass it by.
This means that unless your Poodle is a female and in heat or whelping, it may be an indicator that your Poodle is in trouble.
Some of the most common reasons for losing hair may include parasites, allergies, and infections.
Genetic conditions could also be responsible for increased hair fall. If this happens to your Poodle make sure that you contact your veterinarian.
Do not try any home remedies or something that worked on your friend’s dog and so on.
Each dog is unique and each dog needs treatment based on his needs.
Your veterinarian is the only one who can diagnose the reason for hair loss in your Poodle.
Why Are Poodle Mixes So Popular?
You know that Poodle is a highly appreciated and popular dog for specific reasons, but did you know that Poodle mixes are equally much appreciated? Or that there are over 50 different Poodle mixes today?
Poodle mixes are popular because of the many traits that they offer. They are intelligent, loving, great with people, love being around children, and are easy to train. On top of that, they have that famous low-shedding Poodle coat.
Poodle mixes are often known as doodle dogs because it term refers to the Poodle part of the mix.
A Doodle is a cross between a Poodle and another dog breed. Are you familiar with Goldendoodle?
This Golden Retriever-Poodle mix is often promoted as the smartest poodle mix dog.
To compare other Poodle mixes use this compare dog breeds tool to learn more about Poodle mixes and more.
The Bottom Line
Poodles are great dogs. They are intelligent, easy to train, and not shy to bark when needed.
They may be famous the most for their fluffy show cut, but that is just their appearance.
Their traits are what makes them so popular and loved within the canine world.
Like other dog breeds, Poodles shed to a certain amount. They come with a rich and curly coat that traps debris and won’t leave hair on your favorite pair of jeans or piece of furniture, but they will shed a few strands of hair here and there.
They are not notorious when it comes to shedding, but they do not shed a lot.
The best way to keep your Poodle looking its finest, and shedding at its minimum is to provide the proper grooming routine.
Make sure that you stay on top of your game when it comes to Poodle brushing and you and your home will enjoy floors with no hair around.
