Rottweilers have a solid reputation for being loyal to their families. These dogs are also fun-loving and ready for any adventure. However, what can we know about whether they shed and how much of an issue this will be?
How much a breed does or doesn’t shed greatly influences some dog owners. When a dog sheds the most, everything in the house ends up covered with fur.
Some breeds are worse about shedding than others. Read on to learn more about the usual shedding habits of a Rottie and what you can expect.
Are Rottweilers a Shedding Breed?
In short, yes, Rottweilers shed. Even supposedly hypoallergenic dogs still shed.
Shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle in all breeds. All Rotties are not uniform in their shedding habits. Some of these dogs shed very little, while others shed quite heavily.
Owners who live with allergies will need to think carefully about how they will manage their dog’s shedding. Mitigation methods may include grooming, as needed. Understanding why your Rottweiler sheds are very important.
Why Do Rotties and Dogs in General Shed?
The normal hair cycle for a dog involves the cycling of hair follicles. In addition to color and quality changes, cycling is responsible for keeping the coat healthier and fuller.
Dogs’ hair cycles include four phases. The growth, or anagen phase, involves hair growing to the length specific to the breed.
During the regression, or catagen phase, the hair’s growth will stop. The quiescent phase, also known as the telogen phase, is when a new hair growth phase begins under existing hair while resting.
The shedding phase, known as exogen, is when old hair is shed. This phase occurs independently of the other phases and might not follow a particular order.
Some factors influence how much Rottweilers shed, including age, sex, nutrition, and health. The area of the body may influence the amount of hair shed. Environmental factors like the temperature and time of year are also influential.
Does Genetics Play a Role in How Much Rottweilers Shed?
Genetics can influence how much a dog sheds. The two genes that play the greatest role are MC5R and RSPO2.
These genes have evolved along with domestic dogs. Breeds considered shedders, which include Rottweilers, have the original MC5R gene that contributes to spring and fall shedding.
Rotties, despite having what appears to be only a short coat, are double-coated. These dogs will shed their undercoat in the spring and fall. For most of the rest of the year, their shedding is minimal.
What’s the Best Way to Help Your Rottie Through Shedding Season?
More frequent grooming is necessary during the spring and fall months. Rottweilers shed, or blow, their undercoats during these times to get ready for either their lighter summer coat or heavier winter coat.
When these dogs shed, their owners are often surprised at how much hair ends up all over the furniture, carpets, and other surfaces. If not dealt with properly, dog hair can easily find its way into food.
Since nobody wants to deal with a furry mess of hair, owners will be pleased to know how easy Rottweilers are to groom because of their sleek coats. A dog brush for the topcoat and a comb for the undercoat will do the best job for these dogs.
During the spring and fall shedding seasons, you should brush your Rottie two or three times a week. Once a week is a reasonable schedule for brushing your dog for the rest of the year.
How Often Will You Need to Bathe Your Rottweiler?
Your Rottie must be bathed every four to six weeks. Bathing your dog more often is seldom necessary.
Even during shedding season, you won’t necessarily need to bathe your dog more often. The main thing to keep in mind during this time is that you should give your dog a thorough brushing first.
A bath will help gently remove more of the loose fur. You want to avoid needless extra baths because they can dry out your dog’s skin. An unpleasant side effect of dry skin is that your dog might shed more than average.
Some ingredients are particularly helpful when choosing the right shampoo for your Rottweiler. These dogs are susceptible to skin problems like hot spots because of sensitive skin, requiring products that provide conditioning.
Aloe vera, coconut oil, oatmeal, and Vitamin E are two ingredients particularly helpful for dogs living with irritated skin. Cucumber and rosemary leaf extract are ideal ingredients for providing a pleasant scent.
What’s the Best Way to Clean Rottweiler Hair in the House?
Rotties tend to shed hair in clumps from the parts of their body that have an undercoat. Embora Pets describes this undercoat as a type of insulation.
Many Rotties enjoy spending time on coaches or beds in the house. However, their families will likely have to clean up much hair from these areas. Knowing how to clean up the hair most effectively makes a difference.
Consider investing in a vacuum with pet hair attachments to help get the hair picked up more efficiently. Many of these models have attachments that can get into spots that a harder to reach, such as under couches and on curtains and drapes.
Consider a wet mop with disposable pads if you have tile or hardwood floors. These mops are an ideal solution because they grab the hair efficiently. They are a better alternative to sponge mops that may otherwise spread the hair around.
Seat and furniture covers are an excellent way to keep hair under control if your dog is allowed on household furniture. Many of these covers are machine-washable, so you can keep them smelling fresh at all times.
Consider using HEPA filters to reduce pet-related allergens if your home has a central air conditioning and heating system. These filters can help clean the air, making allergies less of an issue.
How Does Nutrition Impact a Rottweiler’s Shedding?
Raw or prey model diets can add omega fatty acids that help your dog’s skin and coat health.
These nutrients can also come from adding fish three times a week or omega fatty acid supplements. Better skin and coat health can reduce shedding happening during abnormal times.
Diets lacking in protein can also contribute to poor coat quality and additional shedding. Pregnant or lactating mothers and younger dogs may sometimes have protein deficiencies.
If your Rottie is not on a raw diet, you will want to consider feeding a diet with a higher protein ratio. Dog food formulas designed for Rottweilers or large dogs often work best.
Consider the benefits of feeding dog food with limited ingredients or grain-free ingredients. These foods usually have the extra protein amount perfect for a Rottweiler’s needs. Premium foods such as these are great for all life stages.
Do Rottweilers Ever Require Clips?
Rottweilers have a short enough coat that most will not require clipping. The exceptions are the few purebred dogs born with somewhat longer coats or Rotties mixed with breeds with longer coats.
Even though some owners shave their dogs’ coats in the spring, this sep is unlikely to make a difference in how much the dog sheds. Shaving removes some of the protection that comes with thicker layers of fur and may allow needless sun exposure.
Both layers of fur allow Rottweilers to regulate their body temperatures much more easily. Because both layers also provide insulation, they serve as additional protection from the heat.
In Conclusion
Rottweilers shed, despite not having what most think of as a long coat. These dogs shed a moderate amount of hair compared to other double-coated breeds of a similar size.
Moderate shedding is typically most of the year. Owners should expect considerably more shedding during the spring and fall.
Having a dog brush and a comb will help you handle the worst of the fur, especially with a double coat being involved. Take the time to groom your Rottie a little more often during the spring and fall.
Make sure your dog’s diet has enough essential fatty acids and protein. You can fill this need through a breed or large dog-specific food, a grain-free or limited ingredient food, or a raw diet.
Cleaning up after your dog’s hair is a relatively easy task. A vacuum with attachments designed for pet hair, a wet mop, and air filters for your HVAC system to combat pet allergens will make life easier.
Unless you have a Rottweiler with a longer coat, including a mixed breed crossed with another breed, you will not likely have to clip your dog. This breed’s grooming needs are modest.
