Do Shelties Shed? A Guide To Understanding Sheltie Fur

Shedding in Shetland Sheepdogs

Shelties are a breed with a high level of shedding. Like the Swiss White Shepherd breeds or Newfoundlands, Shelties do not shed as much as other breeds. They are smaller and don't have much fur to lose. But they still shed a lot!

It's also crucial to comprehend that the Shetland Sheepdog is not for you if you have allergies to dogs or cats. And this is because their coat produces a lot of dander (one of the leading causes of pet allergies), and because they shed so much, they tend to spread it around the house.

The Sheltie may not be a good dog for you if you want a dog that does not shed a lot. Dogs who herd other animals tend to shed more, so they might not be the best for you too.

Shedding is a problem with the majority of herding dogs, which makes grooming a crucial part of their lives. For example, the Collie is a Sheltie cousin that sheds heavily, as do Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgis when they molt; likewise, the Belgian Shepherd dog has resemblances to both.

Some dogs shed less than others. For example, the Spanish Water Dog sheds very little. You can find other Spanish, European, or Australian dog breeds that are low shedding outside of the herding group too. If you don't care about herding, then there are many different options for you to choose from. Just find a breed that interests you and research it to see if it will make your home full of fur or not.

Adding a second sheltie to your home will help with shedding because there's more activity going on around the house, which means that there are more opportunities for them to get rid of excess fur than when you're alone or if you have one other pet inside your home instead.

Shetland Sheepdogs are small herding dogs that come from the Shetland Islands. They were bred to herd sheep and ponies for farmers, but they're also popular companions who are known for their active, energetic, and playful nature.

They do, in fact, shed; it's only a matter of time before you have a go at their hair.

Shelties have a coat that you need to brush a lot. It can shed a lot, especially in the spring and fall. They are not suitable for someone who wants to have a dog with little molting or who doesn't want an animal with allergies.

The good news is that controlling the shedding isn't all that difficult. It mostly depends on a good diet and brushing on a regular basis. So, in this piece, we'll look at how much fur you should expect to see around the house, as well as how to handle it responsibly.

What Causes Shelties to Shed a Lot?

Shedding is a common occurrence among dogs. Almost all of them do. Certain breeds shed more than others. A dog's fur will flake off and may be seen floating through the air, although this varies depending on the breed. Some examples are:

• They have a fast hair growth cycle, which means their fur grows, dies, falls out, and is replaced at a far greater rate than other dogs. As a result of this rapid hair loss cycle, they shed more frequently than other breeds.
• Dogs that are double-coated have two layers of fur instead of just one. This means that there is more hair when they are shed than with people who only have one layer of coat.
• Although there are several factors to consider, the length of your dog's fur is one of them. The length of your pet's hair has nothing to do with how much his or her coat molts.

Shelties have a coat that grows quickly. That means their fur is always longer. Even if your Sheltie looks healthy and you take care of them, they will still shed around the house.

Sometimes when a dog sheds, it is because of its health. It could be related to the food they eat, fleas, or something else. If you are worried about your dog shedding too much, it would be a good idea to talk to a veterinarian.

Is it Difficult to Groom a Sheltie?

Shelties do not require a great deal of maintenance. However, they do need to be brushed at least twice a week. The bulk of this is due to the length and thickness of their coat.

A Shetland sheepdog has a double coat. One is long and thick, and the other one is short and furry. The outer coat comes in many colors, like white, black, sable, tan, and blue merle. Because of these color combinations, there are chances that this breed could produce double merle puppies. 

A long-coated Shetland Sheepdog's coat isn't tough to brush or otherwise care for, but it is thick and requires more time to brush than a short-coated dog. Because of this, it's also susceptible to tangles and mats, especially if your Sheltie goes outside frequently. As a result, they'll need to be brushed on a regular basis.

Brush your dog more often if he sheds. Dogs shed hair all the time. This usually happens during different times of the year for about two to three weeks each time.

What sort of brush should you use?

There's no such thing as a universal brush that will altogether remove all of the hair. However, some are more suited to certain breeds than others. The slicker brush, for example, is an excellent brush for dogs with longer hair, like the Sheltie, and it's one I personally prefer to use. For general coat care and to assist you in working out the mats, a metal comb and pin brush may be used.

When you get your dog to shed, it is hard to find a brush that works well. But there are brushes that work well. They remove the loose hair from your dog's outer coat and undercoat in less time than a regular brush.

Can you shave or clip your Sheltie?

Some people believe that a dog's long, thick coat prevents them from being too warm. However, this is not the case. Their fur insulates them against the cold and heat, as well as sunburn and windburn. You should never remove your Sheltie's coat below the skin unless your vet specifically instructs you to do so. Drying out and irritation is a common Sheltie skin issue, so you need to be careful in taking care of your its skin. 

Trimming your Sheltie's coat in certain places where it is growing rather long, on the other hand, isn't unusual, and as long as you don't remove too much of it, it should be safe.

Shelties do not need to be bathed very often. They are tough dogs, so you don't need to worry about things like bathing or to groom them unless they get dirty. You can clean their ears and teeth by using a toothbrush and water, for example.

How to Stop Your Dog From Shedding Too Much

If you adopt a Shetland Sheepdog, they will shed fur around your home. They will leave it on the floor, on furniture and clothes. It is not possible to stop this completely.

Although the best approach to deal with excessive shedding is not to have it in the first place, there are steps you can take now to avoid having to spend as much time cleaning up loose dog hair. And while there are numerous techniques for accomplishing this, maintaining shed reduction is often a three-step process:

• Diet: An essential thing you can do to stop your dog from shedding is to make sure the dog is healthy. An ideal way to get this done is by feeding them a healthy, balanced diet. Talk with your vet about what food you should feed your dog because this can help reduce shedding.
• Grooming: brushing your dog's coat removes the dead fur on the outside. Brushing also makes their coats look better. Bathing them can help remove old hair during shedding seasons. Dog shampoo will make their skin oils spread too. You should not wash them too much, or it will dry out their coat and lead to more shedding.
• Vacuuming: Vacuuming is the most excellent method to keep your home free of dog hair after you've treated molting with good nutrition and grooming. While not many people like this job, there are certain vacuums that can make things easier for you. And the more time you spend using the first two techniques, the less time you'll need to spend on this one.

Final Thoughts

Shelties are adorable, intelligent, and rugged dogs. They make good workers and great companions. The only thing is that they shed a lot, so it would be hard to have them if you can't stand hair or if you want a dog who doesn't have allergies.

While you can't entirely stop molting, you may effectively manage it, resulting in a significant reduction in fur accumulation around the house.

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