Do Poodles Shed?

06/10/2023

Do Poodles Shed?

Are you thinking of getting a Poodle puppy from a breeder or adopting one from a shelter? You will want to get a better handle on their shedding habits first. These low-shedding pups can shed more than some may think, but it’s very unmanageable. Let’s find out how much Poodles shed, what it means if they are experiencing more hair loss than normal, and how to minimize excess hair around the house.

Poodles come in three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. No matter what size you have, they all have the same coat. So this guide is a must-read for all current or soon-to-be pup parents. Poodles are known for their fun nature, intelligent minds, and loving personality. But most of all, they are renowned for their desirable, curly coats.

Poodles are classified as a hypoallergenic dog breed, meaning they are low-shedding dogs. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a dog that doesn’t shed unless, of course, they are hairless. Despite Poodles being low shedders, there are still things you need to know to manage their coat and shedding.

In addition to answering the question ‘how much do Poodles shed,’ we also explore the makeup of their coat. Plus, we look at what time of year they shed the most, how to manage the coat, and much more. So, let’s comb through the details on this fancy Fido and its glamorous fur coat.

Do Poodles Shed?

Yes, Poodles shed. Like all animals with hair (including humans), sometimes a Poodle’s hair will fall out naturally or during grooming. This is normal.

While all dog breeds shed, the Poodle does earn its reputation as a low shedding breed, as compared to heavy shedders such as the Golden Retriever and Alaskan Malamute.

Why do Poodles shed less than some other dogs?

The Poodle coat is dense and curly, but shedding is relatively low because the breed has a single coat, not a double coat.
Double coated dogs shed more than single coated dogs because, in addition to normal year-round shedding, their undercoats undergo heavy seasonal shedding as well.
This heavy seasonal shedding of the undercoat is often called “blowing the coat.”
Poodles are low shedders that don’t blow their coats when the weather changes.

What about the Poodle’s reputation as a hypoallergenic dog?

No dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic, and responsible breeders will not make this claim about their dogs.
Some dog breeds, like the Poodle, are light shedders and produce less dander than other breeds.
This makes them easier to tolerate for people with allergies, but not completely hypoallergenic.
So, if you have pet allergies, the best way to determine if a Poodle is right for you is to spend time with Poodles in their home environments.
Remember that dogs are a lifetime commitment. Many dogs end up in shelters because people with pet allergies didn’t do their homework before getting one.

Why Do Dogs Shed?

As we mentioned, all mammals shed their hair. Hair goes through growth cycles. Hair falls out naturally at the end of its growth cycle, and then a new hair will start to grow.
The amount of shedding can vary greatly in dogs. The Poodle and some other breeds are minimal shedders, while dogs with thick double coats shed quite a bit, especially seasonally.
It’s important to note that low shedding dogs like the Poodle can lose more hair than normal if they suffer from certain illnesses or skin conditions.
Common causes of hair loss in dogs include skin infections, inflammatory diseases, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies.

Other Reasons For Losing Hair

Thankfully, because Poodles don’t shed as much as other dogs, it’s easier to spot when hair loss becomes a concern. All Poodles are different, so you need to learn what is normal for your dog. Here are some of the reasons why Poodles might suffer from losing hair:

Allergies, Infections, or Parasites: If Poodles suffer from an allergy, has a skin infection, or parasites, they will probably lose hair. It usually occurs in patches concentrated around the affected area. You may also see open sores, dry and itchy skin, sometimes accompanied by a strong odor.
Sebaceous Adenitis: This is a genetic health disorder found in Poodle’s bloodline. It is more likely to affect Standard Poodles. This disorder causes inflammation in the oil-producing sebaceous glands in the skin, which causes hair to fall out. It can also cause cysts but do not try to drain these yourself as it can spread infection.
Pregnancy: When a mother’s hormones change, one of the effects could be additional hair loss. This reason is not usually anything to worry about, and it should return to normal after the litter arrives and her hormones settle.
Stress: Poodles are sensitive dogs that pick up on human stress. This often occurs when your family or home is undergoing significant change, your dog is experiencing a change in diet or lifestyle, or something as simple as a crate move.
Cushing’s Disease: Poodles are predisposed to something called Cushing’s disease. It is caused by the overproduction of a hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol helps dogs respond to stress, fight infection, manage weight, and control blood sugar levels. A symptom of Cushing’s disease is a loss of the coat’s hair.

If you notice any significant increase in the amount of hair when Poodles shed, you must take them to the vet for a check-up. A professional should establish the underlying cause of excessive coat shedding rather than assume it’s due to stress or something you already know about.

How Much Do Poodles Shed?

What exactly does the term “low shedding” mean? How much can you expect your Poodle to shed?
It’s unlikely that many people sit around and count the number of hairs that their Poodle sheds naturally from day to day.
We do know that a normal human will lose about 100 hairs a day.
A good rule of thumb for Poodles is to keep in mind that larger dogs have more coat area, which of course means more hairs to lose.
A miniature or toy Poodle might be a better choice than a standard Poodle if you’re really concerned about shedding.

Dealing with Poodles Shedding

Poodles require a great deal of grooming. Since Poodles are minimal shedders, grooming them is not about brushing out a heavily shedding coat.

What hair a Poodle does shed may get caught in the curly coat, but it is maintenance of the coat itself that requires a good amount of time and attention.

A Poodle’s coat requires daily brushing and combing to keep it from matting. If you keep your Poodle in its full coat, you will need to go down to the skin with your grooming tools to prevent mats.

Home groomers use a variety of tools, including

electric clippers.
steel combs
slicker (or pin) brushes
scissors, and

Many Poodle owners prefer to clip and trim their dog’s coat in short cut, rather than keep it long.

Grooming your Poodle at home can be difficult and time consuming for many owners, which is why many prefer to take their dog to a professional groomer.

You can set up a regular schedule with a groomer to bathe your dog and clip its coat. Many owners find that once a month grooming works well.

There’s a wide variety of Poodle haircut styles to choose from. Here’s a brief overview.

Poodles Haircuts

Poodle haircuts have a long history. They can range from practical to classic to extremely fancy. How you choose to groom your Poodle is a matter of personal preference.

There are many different types of Poodle cuts, but here are a few of the most common.

The sporting clip is very similar to the puppy clip. Shaved vs trimmed areas are similar in these two cuts, with a puff left on the top of the head and a pompom on the tip of the tail in the sporting clip.
The puppy clip is used on Poodles under one year of age, but many owners like it for adult Poodles as well. In this cut, the hair on the body is trimmed with scissors and the hair on the head, paws, and tail is shaved, but not too closely.
The English saddle clip is somewhat like the continental, but there is less close shaving and more areas of the body are trimmed and sculpted.
A fancier Poodle haircut is called the continental clip. Certain areas of the body are shaved very closely, while others are left very long and fluffy. There are pompoms on the legs, tail tip, and hips.
An increasingly popular cut, especially among miniature and toy Poodle owners, is known as the Asian style. This type of cut is designed to bring out a dog’s cuteness, like a teddy bear or an anime character.

Managing Poodle’s Shedding

Sure, Poodles are a low-shedding breed, but they still have a high maintenance coat that needs a grooming schedule to manage. Here are the best ways to manage their coat and reduce shedding.

Types of Brushes

Using the right tools can be the difference between an effective brushing session and a poor one. A slicker brush, or a pin brush, is the best grooming tool to manage their coat. Because Poodles do not have an undercoat, their skin is more sensitive. So invest in a slicker or pin brush with softer ends. Additionally, a comb is ideal for brushing the hair around sensitive areas, such as the face or eyes, and completing the curly look that Poodles should have.

Brushing

The hair they lose falls back into the coat and waits for you to brush it out. The more you brush, the less likely you are to find it on the sofa. Plus, their curls need brushing to prevent matting and tangling. And brushing also helps to stimulate blood circulation, which in turn encourages a healthy coat. Poodles need brushing at least every other day, but daily is better.

Supplements

Dietary supplements are a simple way to add more omega fats into their diet should their food not be providing enough of them. Fish oils promote a healthy coat, keep their coats looking and feeling their best, and reduce shedding. And it’s not just their coat that benefits. Fish oil supplements also help digestion, joint support, cardiac health, overall wellness, and much more.

Diet

All dogs need a high-quality diet to keep their coats as healthy as possible. And a healthy coat sheds much less than an unhealthy one. Look for a top-quality product that is AAFCO compliant and well-balanced. Unfortunately, poor quality dog foods are not usually nutritionally complete, to the detriment of your Poodles health, including their skin and coat.

The food should also list plenty of healthy omega fatty acids which nourish a Poodle’s coat from the inside out. Ingredients such as meats, fish, fish oil, eggs, flaxseed, and other oils are excellent sources of omega fats. Fruits, veggies, and added vitamin and mineral supplements such as biotin, zinc, vitamin E, and folic acid promote a healthy jacket too.

Shampoo

Using the correct shampoo is another way to manage their shedding successfully. If you use a product that doesn’t agree with their skin, they could lose even more hair. If your Poodle suffers from sensitive skin, you should invest in a gentle shampoo formula that prevents irritation. Oatmeal shampoos are also an excellent option for those with skin sensitivities.

Although de-shedding shampoos are available, they are best saved for extreme shedders. Because of Poodle’s tangle-prone locks, using a conditioning shampoo decreases the chances of their coat from matting. It also provides a glamorous shine. If your Poodle suffers from a particular skin condition, your vet might prescribe a medicated shampoo.

Bath this breed once a month unless otherwise directed by your vet. Drying Poodles is just as important as shampooing them. If you leave a Poodle’s coat damp, this can lead to further skin infections, a moldy coat, and more hair loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

My Poodle has tangles. How do I get rid of them?

Poodles have a thick, curly coat that is prone to tangling and matting. First, try to work the tangles out with your fingers. A detangling spray can help with this. Daily brushing helps to prevent tangles in the future. Matting can lead to painful sores, infection, and hair loss, so it’s essential to keep on top of it.

Do I need to take my Poodle to the groomer?

No, you don’t have to take your Poodle to the groomer to keep their coat healthy. However, many Poodle owners send their dogs to a professional groomer once a month for a clip, bath, and blow-dry. The monthly trim and wash is time-consuming and requires some level of skill. Whatever is best for you, remember to brush them most days.

Do Poodles shed a lot?

Although Poodles do shed, like all dogs, they don’t shed a lot. Plus, the minimal hair they shed usually falls back into the curly coat, meaning you see less of it around your home. Poodles are not seasonal shedders. Instead, they lose hair lightly all year round.

When is it time to take my Poodle to the vet?

If your Poodle’s shedding has increased significantly, there is likely to be an underlying cause that your vet needs to check out. It could be as a result of the common hair loss reasons listed above or something else entirely. If your Poodle is shedding in patches or has sore, weepy, odorous, or inflamed skin, this is another sign that they need medical attention.

Do Poodles Shed Too Much?

While a Poodle’s hair can grow out to very long lengths when left untrimmed, the Poodle is a low shedding dog breed.

Any excessive shedding in a Poodle could be the sign of a health problem, so be sure to take your dog to the veterinarian if you see a lot of shedding.

Even though Poodles are low shedders, remember that there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog.

Poodles can be a good choice for owners with pet allergies, but you should always spend plenty of time with Poodles in their home environments before getting one of your own.

A final point to keep in mind is that with Poodles, low shedding does not mean low maintenance.

Expect to spend a considerable amount of time grooming your Poodle…or be prepared to take your dog to a professional groomer on a regular basis.

Are you a Poodle parent? What are your experiences with shedding and allergies? Tell us about your dog in the comments!