Do Dobermans Shed? – How To Deal With Doberman Shedding

The Doberman Pinscher is a big one that is popular for its ability to protect its owners and home. It has a short fur coat, so many people wonder about the recurrence of Doberman shedding.

The Doberman is a moderately shedding dog. It sheds all throughout the year and the frequency is the same without peaks in the spring and fall. You should not expect too much of a mess from this breed. But there are some reasons that will increase this shedding.

• The Doberman Pinscher Coat
• Do Dobermans Shed?
• Reasons For Doberman Shedding
• How To Prevent Doberman Shedding

The Doberman Pinscher Coat

Doberman dogs have smooth single-coated furs, that end up shedding moderately. Single coats mean that Doberman dogs don’t have an undercoat. There is an exclusion to this rule because it is noticed that some Dobermans have an undercoat on their neck, thighs, hips, and the base of the tail. This undercoat is sensitive to light and will change color in the sunlight. Some owners report their Dobermans “blushing” during the summer.

Its coat can come in four colors: Black, Blue, Red, and Fawn, with the famous Rust markings on its body. The shedding is not affected by the color of the coat. However, a color that is darker, like black, will make the shed hair more noticeable in your house.

Do Dobermans Shed?

Dobermans are moderate shedders. Because they have a single coat, they will shed the same amount for the whole year. Another great thing is that because their hairs are short, they won’t stick to your furniture and clothing.

The coat shedding might change a bit depending on the age. During the phase when the puppy Doberman changes its coat to an adult one, you might notice a bit more shedding than usual. The quality and feel of the coat might change as well. This will happen around the age of 9-18 months.

Are Doberman Hypoallergenic?

No dog breed is truly hypoallergenic. Even though some dogs don’t shed, and others shed less than others, they can still cause allergies. These allergens can come from their saliva and dead skin cells.

That said, because of the lower Doberman shedding level, these dogs can cause fewer allergies than high-shedding dogs. Their hairs are short and non-sticky, so you won’t have to deal with allergens sticking to your clothes. So even though they are not hypoallergenic, Dobermans can still cause fewer allergies than double-coated dogs.

Reasons For Doberman Shedding

Even though we know that Dobermans shed throughout the year, there are a few reasons that cause this shedding to increase.

Bad Nutrition And Dehydration

A balanced diet is required to maintain a healthy coat and skin. Therefore, if there is a problem with nutrition, the shedding will increase. If you don’t give enough nutrients to your dog, this can lead to malnutrition. Malnutrition leads to symptoms like:

• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Stunted growth
• Excessive shedding
• Fur loss
• Bad breath

Besides the lack of proper nutrients, you might notice your Doberman shedding excessively because of a change in the diet.

If you don’t give enough water to your dog, this will lead to dehydration. Dehydration will lead to symptoms like:

• Excessive shedding
• Nausea
• Dry eyes and skin
• Dry saliva
• Increased panting and drooling

Health Problems

Even though Dobermans are relatively healthy dogs, they can still get some diseases that can exacerbate their shedding. Diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, immune system, and others can all cause shedding. Doberman Pinschers are especially prone to a disease called Color Dilution Alopecia that causes their hair to fall off.

Besides that, hormonal disturbances are also known to cause shedding. Pregnancy and hypothyroidism are among the most common causes of shedding. 

Some medications can also cause more shedding. Corticosteroids can have excessive shedding as a side effect if used for too long. Topical flea treatments and injection sites for vaccines can also result in localized hair loss.

Allergies And Parasites

Doberman Pinscher shedding can increase due to allergies. Dogs can be allergic to things just like people are. Pollen, grass, some shampoos, and certain foods can cause an allergic reaction that can present with:

• Excessive shedding
• Patches of missing fur
• Sneezing
• Itching and scratching
• Red and watery eyes

Besides normal allergies, some parasites can also be a cause of shedding and loss of fur. Fleas and ticks are known to stick to a dog’s coat and cause intense itching which can lead to shedding.

Demodectic Mange is a condition caused by the Demodex mite. It can also cause fur loss, itching, and excessive shedding.

Stress

Just like people, dogs can also suffer from stress and anxiety. Stressful situations like moving into a new place, loud noises, changes in the dog’s routine, or getting a new pet can stress your dog out.

A Doberman can shed a lot after developing separation anxiety. Because they are a breed that connects with their owner, staying alone for too long can cause stress and shedding.

You should notice the situations that stress your dog out and try to help it overcome that stress. Some symptoms of stress in dogs include:

• Pacing
• Avoidance
• Aggression
• Destructive behavior
• Lethargy
• Drooling
• Tail between legs

You can give valerian root to your dog to relieve it of the stress.

How To Prevent Doberman Shedding

There are a few ways you can reduce the shedding from your Doberman. This is especially useful if you want to keep your home clean from all the hair.

Brushing

Due to its coat being short, the Doberman is a pretty easy dog breed to groom. This is one of the reasons why people get this dog.

We know how much Dobermans shed so the average Doberman will require brushing daily, or every two days. This brushing session will last for only a few minutes. You can use a rubber grooming mitt or a stiff bristle to brush your Doberman’s fur.

Besides decreasing the shedding, regular brushing of your dog’s coat will distribute natural oils evenly throughout its coat making it shiny. It will also improve its blood circulation and health.

Bathing

To keep your Doberman clean, you need to bathe it regularly. On average, the recommended amount for bathing a Doberman is once a month. If you bathe your dog too often, you can cause a loss of the natural oils on its skin and coat. This can lead to skin irritation which can lead to abnormal hair loss and even more shedding.

Make sure you use warm water so you don’t get your dog cold. Choose shampoos that are meant for dogs and avoid using human shampoos that can irritate their skin. There are shampoos made for certain coat types as well. For example, there is a special shampoo made for the wire coat Jack Russell.

Avoid using anti-shed shampoos for Dobermans. These are meant for double-coated dogs, and Dobermans have a single coat.

Diet And Supplements

If your Doberman is shedding so much because of improper nutrition, you should try to make its diet better. On average, it needs around 4-7 cups of dog food daily. You need to make sure you give quality dog food to your Doberman. 

This means that you should feed it dog food with less grains and more proteins. The food should also include all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to obtain proper health. It should also be full of omega-3 fatty acids that help keep the skin and the coat healthy and shiny.

Your dog will also benefit from additional supplements like fish oil and other vitamins.

Exercise

Doberman Pinschers are big dogs and they need a lot of exercise throughout the day. Not having their exercise needs met will lead to anxiety, which will lead to excessive barking and shedding.

On average, a Doberman will need around two hours of exercise throughout the day. You can split this into two 1-hour sessions, or you can split those two hours throughout many sessions in the day. 

You don’t need to only go on walks with your dog. You can take it running, hiking, or swimming to spend its energy. Exercising promotes better blood flow and nourishes Doberman hairs’ roots, resulting in a better quality of the coat.

Doberman Shedding – A Summary

Dobermans are big dogs that are great to have as guard dogs in your home. Because they are so big they have a wide area covered in coat. These dogs have short coats and are considered moderate shedders. This means that they shed constantly and with the same shedding frequency for the whole year.

There are a few factors that will cause excess shedding in a Doberman. These include improper nutrition, dehydration, and stress. Health problems like hormonal disturbances, allergies, and parasites can also be a cause.

To prevent excess shedding, you can do a few things. A proper grooming regime like brushing and bathing your dog is a must to maintain the coat. Giving nutritious food, supplements, and exercise are also important.

FAQ

Are Dobermans low maintenance?

When it comes to grooming, Dobermans are considered low-maintenance dogs. This is because the amount of Doberman shedding is lower than double-coated dogs so you won’t be required to pay so much attention to grooming.

Do Dobermans smell?

Dobermans are not bad-smelling dogs. One reason for this is their single-layer coat that doesn’t allow odors to get trapped in it as much as it does in double-coated breeds.

Do Blue Doberman Pinschers shed more than other coat colors?

There is no evidence that Blue Dobermans shed more than other colored Dobermans. Their shedding is not affected by the color. However, Blue Dobermans are predisposed to Color Dilution Alopecia which causes excessive shedding.