Last Updated on March 17, 2022 by Marco
Picking the right dog for you includes the weight of pros and cons such as shedding. So, short-haired dachshund shedding – is it serious and what to do? Is it bad enough for you to consider an entirely different breed instead? How should you best care for your Doxie to minimize shedding? Are dachshunds hypoallergenic? Let’s go over these and other key questions below.
Short Haired Dachshund Shedding – What To Know?
Short-haired dachshund shedding isn’t seasonal and is instead fairly consistent throughout the year. It’s also quite moderate – not as low as of some other breeds like the poodle but far from severe. Add the fact that the coats of short-haired Doxies are, well, short, and neither lose hair nor matting is much of a problem.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take good care of your dachshund’s coat – just that it’s easier to do so. The occasional baths and one or two brushing sessions a week are a must for any dog, including short-haired Doxies. The quality of your dog’s diet and the regularity of its exercise are also crucial as they directly affect coat health.
Make sure all of these factors are in order and you shouldn’t have any issues with loose hair or coat problems.
Are Short Haired Dachshunds Hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic and neither are dachshunds. Some dog breeds are famous as “hypoallergenic” with poodles getting the most frequent mention. Even they aren’t truly hypoallergenic, however, as it’s not dog hair that actually triggers people’s allergies – it’s dog dandruff and saliva carried in the air by loose hair.
So, low- and medium-shedding dogs such as short-haired dachshunds are preferable for people with allergies but even they aren’t 100% hypoallergenic.
Is Your Short-Haired Dachshund Shedding Too Much?
If you have a short-haired Doxie that has started to shed more than usual, there are quite a few things that can be causing this. Here are some of the most common causes and some rarer but also noteworthy issues:
- Stress
- Imbalanced diet
- Insufficient exercise
- Bad coat care (lack of brushing and baths, unaddressed hair matting, etc.)
- Bad hair products
- Hormonal imbalances
- Skin parasites (fleas, ticks, mange mites, and others)
- Skin issues such as Alopecia, Acanthosis Nigricans, and others
- Tumors and other underlying conditions
So, Is Short-Haired Dachshund Shedding Something To Worry About?
As you can see, short-haired dachshund shedding really isn’t anything significant. Or, at least, it shouldn’t be. If your short-haired Doxie is shedding too much you may want to talk with a vet because there may be some underlying conditions or skin parasites you’ll need to deal with.
Aside from those rare and unpleasant situations, however, short-haired dachshund shedding really isn’t something you ought to worry about? A good diet and exercise, an occasional bath, and weekly brushing should be enough to keep your pet’s coat in excellent condition.
Read more about: How Often Should I Bathe My Dachshund?
FAQs
Do short haired dachshunds shed?
All dogs shed, whether seasonally or day by day. Short haired dachshunds shed regularly but not all that much compared to some of the heavy-shedder breeds. Add the fact that their coats are, by definition, short and this is a pretty safe breed for people who don’t want dog hair to be a major part of the athmosphere of their home.
Is this to say that you won’t have to brush your dog or vacuum your sofa? No, you’ll still need to do those things, they just won’t take that long and won’t need to be done on a daily basis.
How much do dachshunds shed?
Dachshunds are considered medium shedders. Some dachshunds have undercoats so you can still expect some loose hair floating around from time to time. Wire haired and short haired dachshunds don’t have undercoats so they shed even less and are closer to the “hypoallergenic” poodle standard in that regard. Even they shed, however, so you’d still need to do the occasional brushing or sofa vacuuming.
All that being said, dachshunds are much easier in terms of shedding than most of the other popular dog breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Huskies, and so on. Add the small size of these dogs and the short coats of short haired dachshunds, and this breed is recommended for people who don’t want to deal with lots of dog hair floating around.
How often should I brush my short haired dachshund?
A short haired dachshund really should shed all that much, especially compared to some other heavy shedders in the canine family. Add the short length of their coats and matting and hair tangles become relatively unlikely. So, one or two weekly brushings are usually enough to keep your dachshund’s coat in a good condition.
If you want to minimize the loose dog hair floating around your home you can brush your Doxie more often too, of course. Given its short length, however, it’s just not that noticeable even when you’ve missed a brushing. Still, dachshunds love attention and physical contact with their humans so you can easily make brushing an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog.
Why is my short haired dachshund shedding?
Dogs shed and short haired dachshunds are no exception. Granted, short haired dachshund shedding is considered moderate so it’s much easier to deal with than the shedding of certain other breeds. However, you can’t expect your Doxie to just not shed at all. Weekly brushings combined with an occasional bath and a good and nutritious diet should keep your dachshund’s health in an optimal condition and minimize its shedding.
All that being said, there are some health problems that can lead to extra shedding and dachshunds are not immune to those. If your dachshund is shedding more than normal you should consider stuff such as skin parasites (fleas, ticks, mange mites), anemia, alopecia, hormonal imbalance, Acanthosis Nigricans, tumors, or other underlying conditions. Or, it could just be stress or a bad diet.
Jordan is an animal–lover who specializes in dachshunds. He has owned and cared for dachshunds since he was a child, and his passion for these unique dogs has only grown with time. Jordan is an avid researcher and learner, and spends a large portion of his free time studying the history, behaviour, and health of dachshunds. He has a knack for training and socializing his own dogs, and loves introducing them to new experiences. When not caring for his own pets, Jordan likes to volunteer at local animal rescue shelters, helping to find homes for abandoned dachshunds. He is a true animal advocate, and dedicates his time to ensure that all animals receive the love, respect, and care they deserve.
