Have you ever wondered “why is my dachshund shedding so much”? Shedding is a natural process for dogs, but it can be very frustrating when your dog starts to shed more hair than normal. Let’s find out the reasons why dogs shed their hair, and find out what you can do about it!
Do Dachshunds Shed A Lot?
Like all dogs, dachshunds naturally shed hair – as an individual hair dies, it falls out of the hair follicle and is replaced by new hair.
The dachshund shedding level you experience in your household will depend on two main factors – the time of year, and the type of dachshund you own.
Many dog breeds, particularly those which originate from colder climates, tend to shed hair seasonally. They shed hair during the fall when they grow a denser undercoat to get through the cold winter months. They then shed again in the spring, growing a thinner summer coat.
Dachshunds come in three groups of coat types – smooth-haired, wire-haired, and long-haired. Smooth-haired dachshunds tend to shed the least, as their coat is short and not particularly thick.
Wire-haired dachshunds have a double coat – a dense undercoat of short fluffy hair, and thicker, wiry long outer hairs. They seasonally shed this undercoat, so you may notice more hair around the house in fall and spring.
Long-haired dachshunds have smooth, silky hair that is longer on certain parts of the body. This type of dachshund will also shed, and because the hairs are longer, they are often more noticeable.
So, if you live with dachshunds, finding shed hair on your clothes and furniture will be a normal everyday occurrence! You may need to get the vacuum out more often than you would like, but these little dogs make up for it with their adorable and fun-loving personalities.
Why Is My Dachshund Shedding So Much?
If your dog seems to be shedding more than normal, there could be an underlying medical problem to blame. Shedding and hair loss can be a symptom of diseases that affect the immune system or hormonal disorders that affect the adrenal and thyroid glands.
Other medical conditions that can cause excessive shedding include tumors, kidney disease, liver disease, and bacterial or fungal infections. Poor nutrition, stress, parasite infestations, and allergies can also cause hair shedding to increase. Some dachshunds also suffer from pattern baldness, which leads to hair loss on areas of the body such as the ears.
If your dog seems fit and healthy but is shedding more hair than normal, there is probably nothing to worry about. However, if you see any other symptoms such as skin rashes, sores, hair loss, excessive licking or scratching, weight loss, or lethargy, it is a good idea to get your pooch checked out at the veterinary clinic.
How Much Do Long-Haired Dachshunds Shed?
Long-haired dachshunds have smooth, silky hair that is not particularly dense, but they do shed as much as any other type of dachshund. Because the hairs are longer, they are often more noticeable, leading to wire-haired dachshund owners thinking that their dogs shed a lot of hair.
This type of dachshund will require regular grooming to keep the coat in good condition. A daily brush with a bristle brush will help to keep the coat smooth, silky, and tangle-free.
How To Stop Dachshunds Shedding Hair
If your dachshund is otherwise fit and healthy, it may be that shedding might be something you need to learn to live with! However, there are steps you can take to minimize the problems caused by excessive shedding of hair. Constantly finding dog hairs on your clothes and furniture can be very annoying, and take up a lot of your time vacuuming them up!
The single easiest thing you can do to stop dachshunds shedding hair is to groom them regularly. This applies to dachshunds of all coat types. Grooming removes loose hair before it has the chance to fall out, helping to keep your home hair-free.
Give your dachshund a quick brush every day, and you’ll soon notice less hair around your home. If possible, groom your dachshund outside, or somewhere where the hair can be easily cleaned up afterwards.
Grooming is also a great way to bond with your dog, and your dachshund will appreciate the time you spend grooming every day!
Do Dachshunds Have Hair Or Fur?
You will hear your dog’s coat referred to as both hair and fur, but which is correct? Well, in fact hair and fur are virtually the same thing! We tend to call anything that is wiry hair, while soft, fluffy coats are called fur.
Both hair and fur are made of the same chemical composition, but they grow in different ways. Hair tends to be more wiry and will grow longer and longer until it falls out. Fur is softer and will grow to a shorter length then stop growing.
When it comes to dachshunds, whether they have hair or fur depends on the type of dachshund. Some have fur, some have hair, and some have both fur and hair!
The best example is the wire-haired dachshund. These have a double coat – a dense fur undercoat, and thick wiry outer hairs.
Summary – Why Is My Dachshund Shedding So Much?
So, if you’ve been wondering “why is my dachshund shedding so much?”, it may be for reasons as simple as the time of year or season. Dachshunds shed their coats all year round but will shed more at certain times of the year such as spring and fall. However, if your dog seems to be shedding more than normal, there could be an underlying medical problem to blame.
We would love to hear your thoughts on “why is my dachshund shedding so much?” Do you have a dachshund that sheds a lot of hair all year round, no matter how much you groom it? Or maybe you’ve got some questions about how to groom a silky wire-haired dachshund? Leave a comment below and we will get back to you!
