Do Great Danes shed? This is one of many questions you should ask when considering this massive dog as a pet.
When choosing any dog breed there are several points you need to consider. These factors include size, temperament and exercise requirements.
And if you don’t like the lose dog hairs in your home, you might also be concerned about “do Great Danes shed?”
Let’s find out!
The Great Dane
Despite their misleading name, the Great Dane did not come from Denmark. In fact, they were developed in Germany during the 16th century for hunting boar.
The Great Dane originally had a particularly ferocious and aggressive temperament. But, over time, breeders worked to produce a calmer dog and succeeded.
Although many people find their size imposing, today this magnificent breed is renowned as a gentle giant.
In fact, many Great Danes forget how big they are and think they are lap dogs!
These massive pups are affectionate, loyal, loving and make an excellent addition to any family due to their kind nature and patience towards children.
However, when looking for the ideal dog, shedding is a significant consideration, because nobody wants mountains of hair to clean up however much they love their pet!
Do Great Danes Shed?
All dogs lose damaged or old hair through shedding.
Dog breeds that have a double coat shed more than single coated breeds and require more grooming.
Fortunately, Great Danes have a short, smooth single coat that is easy to maintain!
Although they do shed moderately all-year-round, they shed more so during springtime.
Are there any dogs that don’t shed hair?
Despite the widespread belief that non-shedding dogs are hypoallergenic, both of these terms are misleading.
Non-shedding types of dogs have hair as opposed to fur. Their hair still sheds, but the lose locks get caught in their curls and tangle and mat, instead of hitting the floor.
Further more, there is no evidence that these breeds are any less allergenic than their shedding cousins.
Why do Great Danes Shed?
The shedding cycle of dogs is not preventable and is a normal process for many pets.
The amount and frequency of hair loss all depend on the type of breed as well as their health and diet.
However, excessive hair loss is often a sign that something is wrong and may be an indicator that your dog has an underlying health issue, allergy or poor diet.
Why do dogs have fur anyway?
Fur helps to regulate the dog’s body temperature. It provides the skin protection from the sun, heat, and cold.
However, as each hair on the dog’s body stops growing or is damaged, it naturally falls out and replaced by a new one.
Regardless if your dog has a double coat or single coat, every single hair follicle on their body has a life cycle. The life cycle goes through four different stages of growth and renewal as follows:
- Anagen Phase – new hair is in the active stage of growth
- Catagen Phase – once the hair has reached the required length, it stops growing.
- Telogen Phase – the hair is dormant and neither growing or shedding.
- Exogen Phase – the hair reaches the end of its lifecycle and falls out.
These phases of growth and hair loss are ongoing with no particular starting point.
However, there are stages where the process either speeds up or slows down but it never actually stops.
Dog breeds that are low shedding and have hair instead of fur, such as Poodles, remain longer in the anagen phase of new hair growth where it either dies or is removed through clipping.
During changes of season, both the temperature and amount of daylight hours have a significant influence on the thickness of the dog’s coat.
For example, in winter, as the number of daylight hours reduces and the weather becomes colder, dogs lose their summer coat through shedding and develop a thicker layer to stay warm.
In contrast, as summer approaches and the temperature increases with more daylight hours, the excess fur drops out.
How Much Do Great Danes Shed?
Great Danes have a single coat and are moderate shedders.
However, compared to other breeds with a similar coat, the quantity of shedding appears higher due to their massive size. So, it is very likely there will be a fair amount of hair on your clothes, carpet and furniture!
You may be wondering, do Great Danes shed more at certain times of year? The answer is yes! Shedding is particularly heavy during springtime and it is known as “blowing out.” This is where the Great Dane changes their winter coat to a summer coat.
Don’t despair if you have your heart set on owning a Great Dane as there are several ways to reduce the number of hairs found around your home!
Dealing with Great Dane Shedding
If you want to own a Great Dane, then unfortunately, shedding is all part of the territory.
However, there are numerous ways you can control your dog’s hair loss.
Grooming
The best way to minimize your Great Dane’s shedding is through regular brushing of the coat as it removes loose fur and stimulates blood flow.
Good grooming is brushing, cleaning your dog’s teeth and ears, and nail trimming.
Use a firm bristle brush once or twice a week on your dog. However, brush daily during periods of heavy shedding.
Spend between 5 to 10 minutes thoroughly brushing your Great Dane’s coat, outdoors if possible, to prevent hair spreading throughout the home.
Baths
As many Great Danes are prone to dry skin, you should not bath your gentle giant too often as it also removes essential oils.
However, giving a bath every few weeks or as necessary helps remove dead hairs and dirt.
Always use a dog-friendly shampoo which contains a neutral PH. In addition, ingredients such as oatmeal to keep the skin and fur healthy.
Due to their massive size, you might find bathing your Great Dane a challenge, especially getting him into the tub, so you may prefer the services of a professional groomer!
Nutrition
It is essential to feed your Great Dane a balanced diet for a healthy coat and to minimize shedding.
Always provide good quality food that has meat as the main ingredient. It is easier for your dog to digest.
Adding an Omega 3 supplement to keep the skin and hair healthy is advisable.
And make sure your Great Dane has clean, fresh water available at all times to help remove bacteria and toxins from his body.
Managing Great Dane Shedding in the Home
Dogs bring so much happiness into our lives. But one of the downsides of owning a Great Dane is the amount of hair that gets on your clothes and furniture from shedding.
While it is impossible to have a home that is hair-free, there are ways you can combat it.
It is essential that you brush your gentle giant often, preferably outside, as this will help to reduce the amount of fur found on your carpet and furniture.
Regular vacuuming helps immensely with the battle against dog hair. Conventional vacuum cleaners are efficient, but there are models designed specifically for picking up pet hair.
You can protect your furniture by using removable covers, washing weekly.
The best flooring to cope with pet hair is either tile or hardwood as opposed to carpet. If you do have carpet, having one the same color as your Great Dane doesn’t show the hairs so easily!
Do Great Danes Shed Too Much?
Great Danes have a single coat and shed an average amount of fur all year round.
In comparison to other breeds with the same type of coat, the volume of hair loss appears higher due to their large size. Heavy shedding is more noticeable during the spring.
You should brush your gentle giant regularly and vacuum your home as often as possible. By doing this, hair does not become embedded in the carpet or furniture.
Feeding a balanced diet with an Omega 3 supplement ensures your Great Dane has a healthy coat. This way they will shed a normal amount.
Shedding is all part of being a pet owner, but with proper management, you can control the amount of hair loss from your dog, so this should not put you off owning one of these gentle giants!
References and Resources
Dog Allergen Levels in Homes with Hypoallergenic Compared with Nonhypoallergenic Dogs
Seborrheic skin disorders and their treatment in dogs
Optimizing skin and coat condition in the dog
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