Do Huskies shed more than German Shepherds? One thing that every new pet owner thinks about when choosing the right dog breed is shedding. Most people don’t want to deal with vacuuming their homes five days a week or leaving the house covered in a furball, so knowing what to expect is important. So what’s the deal when it comes to Huskies and German Shepherds?
So, do Huskies shed more than German Shepherds? No. Huskies shed seasonally in the spring and fall, while German Shepherds shed throughout the year. German Shepherds also tend to shed even more heavily when the seasons change. There are ways to reduce shedding in both breeds, but one should know that German Shepherds heavily shed year-long.
Knowing why a Husky and German Shepherd shed is an important factor when making a decision on which breed is right for you. We are going to break down when and why, as well as what you can do to reduce the amount of shedding should you choose one of these dog breeds.
Which Dog Sheds More: Siberian Husky or German Shepherd?
The basic answer is this:
German Shepherds shed far more than the Husky breed, and are often referred to as “German shedders” by their owners. This is due to the fact that German Shepherds will continuously shed throughout the year, no matter what the season is.
The German Shepherd breed sheds a lot – there’s no denying that.
They shed mostly to keep them comfortable since their two layers of coating can overwhelm them and cause their temperatures to rise quickly. That being said, a German Shepherd that walks in a warmer room will simply start shedding off some of his coat to keep him from being overheated.
German Shepherds will also shed even more during seasonal changes like spring and fall.
During this time, their shedding can become so bad that it almost looks like it is blowing off of them. This is an important part of the cycle of the German Shepherd’s life, but it’s no secret that it’s fairly annoying for the pet owner.
Huskies, on the other hand, don’t shed too often throughout the year.
They keep themselves clean and don’t have too much to worry about in terms of their double coat. They can be prone to get overheated in higher temperatures, but they aren’t likely to shed their coat to deal with the temperatures.
The main shedding season for Huskies is during the seasonal change of spring and fall. During this time, the Husky will need to pack on more fur to deal with the cold weather, while the opposing shedding season will leave him with less fur to help with hot weather.
To put it simply, German Shepherds shed heavily all year long, while the Husky will only shed once or twice a year.
If you are wanting a dog breed that doesn’t shed too much, then you should probably avoid adding a German Shepherd to your home.
How to Help With Shedding
Whether you’re opting for a German Shepherd that will shed around the clock or a Husky that only sheds here and there, it’s important to know how to help reduce shedding.
Either way, you’re going to end up with a fluffy mess all over your house, so it’s best to know how to handle shedding altogether.
1. A Healthy Diet is Critical
Shedding can become even more detrimental and overwhelming if you’re serving your dog cheap food with too much filler and not enough substance.
Instead of dog food that is loaded with corn and grain (which is not easily digested by dogs and can cause tummy troubles), consider a high-quality Husky dog food that is loaded with protein from meat.
Switching to nutritional dog food is critical in resolving excessive shedding. Although it won’t stop the shedding of either breed completely, it will lessen the amount of hair.
It’s also beneficial for your dog’s skin and immune system.
2. Add More Omega-3s in the Diet
Aside from choosing nutritional dog food, you should also consider getting more Omega-3s into his diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to improvement in the coat texture of your dog, reducing inflamed skin, and overall reducing the amount of shedding that is done.
You can give Omega-3s to your dog by adding some olive oil to his dog food or including an omega-3 supplement in his food.
You can also feed your dog omega-3 rich foods like tuna and salmon (in moderation, of course).
3. Make Sure He Gets Plenty of Water
Dehydration is detrimental to dogs in a variety of ways, but one big way is the skin drying out. As your dog’s skin dries out, the amount of shedding will increase.
The simplest solution to this is to always ensure your dog has plenty of water to drink, especially if he is playing around outside in warmer temperatures.
4. Never Skip Grooming
Whether you’re opting for a less-shedding Husky or heavy-shedding German Shepherd, you need to realize there will always be a time where you’re cleaning hair off the floor.
The best way to reduce the amount of hair is by grooming your dog regularly.
The great thing about Huskies and German Shepherds is that they are actually really low-maintenance dogs and don’t require too much upkeep.
However, these grooming tips will help reduce shedding:
- Always make sure you are brushing your dog’s coat a few times a week. This is extremely important for both breeds. This will get rid of any excess loose hairs while reducing the chances of matting and grime/dirt buildup.
- Bathe your dog three or four times a year. You don’t want to overdo it when it comes to bathing. German Shepherds and Huskies can keep themselves clean for the most part, but a good thorough wash should be done three to four times per year.
- Always use dog shampoo. Using other types of shampoo can dry out their coat as well, which leads to more shedding. Always use a dog shampoo that is designed for your type of dog.
- De-shed your German Shepherd. When you know there is a seasonal change coming up, you might want to consider deshedding- your German Shepherd. This will lessen the amount of shedding that is done during the seasonal changes (although there will still be plenty of hair that needs to be cleaned up).
You can’t run away from shedding completely with either type of breed, but doing these simple things can greatly impact just how much hair is being left all over your floor.
Related Questions
The German Shepherd puppy will start to shed around 4 to 6 months of age. At this point, he is getting prepped for his adult hair to grow in. Once his adult hair has fully grown in you can expect your German Shepherd to shed regularly from there on out.
While shedding is completely normal, there are some situations that call for a visit to the vet. If you notice that your dog has bald spots, is scratching himself excessively, has red or inflamed skin, or excessively dry or flaky skin, then you will need to have him checked. These symptoms can all be related to underlying illnesses or problems that cause more shedding than normal.
