Pet fur can be a problem for many people especially asthma sufferers. It is impossible for any animal to cease shedding any dander and fur, but there are some dogs which lose less fur than others. Most of these tend to be smaller dogs and there are only a few large dog breeds that dont shed.
Dogs are often referred to as non-shedding but that is really a misnomer as all dogs molt. If you do have problems with asthma it is worth checking that pet fur is not a trigger. To minimize the problem, you can vacuum regularly and damp dust to remove fur and dander. Try to keep your pet away from where you sleep and always wash your hands after you stroke them.
For those who can live with a pet which does not molt very much, the best known is the Standard Poodle. These intelligent dogs are loyal and loving and lose very little hair. This trait has been much prized and as result breeders have crossed Poodles with Labradors, Cocker Spaniels and other popular varieties to try to achieve a low shedding variant. Check the ancestry of any pup you are buying as the Poodle line needs to be dominant to retain this quality.
Animals that spend a lot of time in water tend to develop thick waterproof coats. This is also true of dogs. The Irish Water Spaniel and Portuguese Waterdog are two such which have thick curly coats. Bo, the family pet of the Obamas made the Portuguese Waterdog famous and featured in many White House photos.
Schnauzers are generally thought of as quite small, but the Giant variety has the same qualities as its tiny cousins. The hair is clipped short to the body leaving just the face and feet with long fur. This reduces the amount they molt.
The Bouvier des Flandres or Flanders Cattle Dog is often cited as non-shedding but it is their thick double coat which prevents the fur reaching the floor. This thick coat while protecting owners from falling fur does require regular grooming otherwise the cost becomes very matted. The breed nearly became extinct during the First World War and most of Belgium was a battlefield and the dogs were used in the trenches and for military work.
There is no easy way to tell if any particular dog will produce more or less fur. At the puppy stage they all tend to have fuzzy coats that they will change as they reach adulthood. Regular grooming with a brush or comb that best suits your pets fur will greatly reduce any shedding and keep them looking in top condition. Regular bathing in a mild shampoo will also reduce dander which can cause an allergic reaction.
Choose your pet for its other traits not just whether it molts less. Energetic dogs need a lot of exercise and intelligent ones need to be busy. Many require professional grooming regularly which can be costly or brushing at home which is time consuming. If this does not suit your lifestyle consider a shorter coated breed and live with some shedding.
Dogs are often referred to as non-shedding but that is really a misnomer as all dogs molt. If you do have problems with asthma it is worth checking that pet fur is not a trigger. To minimize the problem, you can vacuum regularly and damp dust to remove fur and dander. Try to keep your pet away from where you sleep and always wash your hands after you stroke them.
For those who can live with a pet which does not molt very much, the best known is the Standard Poodle. These intelligent dogs are loyal and loving and lose very little hair. This trait has been much prized and as result breeders have crossed Poodles with Labradors, Cocker Spaniels and other popular varieties to try to achieve a low shedding variant. Check the ancestry of any pup you are buying as the Poodle line needs to be dominant to retain this quality.
Animals that spend a lot of time in water tend to develop thick waterproof coats. This is also true of dogs. The Irish Water Spaniel and Portuguese Waterdog are two such which have thick curly coats. Bo, the family pet of the Obamas made the Portuguese Waterdog famous and featured in many White House photos.
Schnauzers are generally thought of as quite small, but the Giant variety has the same qualities as its tiny cousins. The hair is clipped short to the body leaving just the face and feet with long fur. This reduces the amount they molt.
The Bouvier des Flandres or Flanders Cattle Dog is often cited as non-shedding but it is their thick double coat which prevents the fur reaching the floor. This thick coat while protecting owners from falling fur does require regular grooming otherwise the cost becomes very matted. The breed nearly became extinct during the First World War and most of Belgium was a battlefield and the dogs were used in the trenches and for military work.
There is no easy way to tell if any particular dog will produce more or less fur. At the puppy stage they all tend to have fuzzy coats that they will change as they reach adulthood. Regular grooming with a brush or comb that best suits your pets fur will greatly reduce any shedding and keep them looking in top condition. Regular bathing in a mild shampoo will also reduce dander which can cause an allergic reaction.
Choose your pet for its other traits not just whether it molts less. Energetic dogs need a lot of exercise and intelligent ones need to be busy. Many require professional grooming regularly which can be costly or brushing at home which is time consuming. If this does not suit your lifestyle consider a shorter coated breed and live with some shedding.
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Get a summary of important factors to consider when choosing a dog breed and more information about large dog breeds that dont shed at http://www.goliathsaintberdoodles.com now.
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