Do Dobermans Shed

Do Dobermans Shed? (And How To Deal With It)

It’s commonly thought that dogs with short fur don’t shed that much. But, as it turns out, this is a misconception.

Short fur is harder to see and doesn’t tangle into clumps on the floor, which makes them go unnoticed, but that doesn’t mean fur isn’t being shed.

Since Dobermans have short coats people often wonder if they shed and if so, how much? Read on to have your questions answered!

Do Dobermans Shed? 

Despite having a short, smooth coat, Dobermans shed a considerable amount. While certainly not unmanageable, you’ll see a notable amount of dog hair scattered about your furniture when you have a Doberman. 

How Much Do Dobermans shed?

The American Kennel Club rates Dobermans a 4 out of 5 on a scale of shedding severity. But because the fur is short, it’s less invasive and may not be as difficult to deal with as longer fur, which is why the AKC also rates the breed a 1 out of 5 in terms of grooming frequency.

Are Dobermans Hypoallergenic?

Dobermans are not hypoallergenic dogs. But, in reality, there’s really no such thing as a truly 100% hypoallergenic dog. In terms of controlling a mild-to-moderate dog fur allergy, Dobermans are a solid option, anyway.

This is because Dobermans have short hairs that are less obtrusive and therefore cover less area when they are shed. At the same time, these hairs don’t clump together as much as long hairs do, and they’re less likely to adhere to surfaces thanks to static.

As such, cleaning up a Doberman’s shed fur is quite fast and easy and may allow someone with a fur allergy to keep their environment clean enough to avoid triggering those allergies.

Doberman Shedding Seasons

Dobermans shed their coats with the seasons, often shedding in autumn and spring. This is the usual time that most dogs experience excessive shedding as their bodies and hormones respond to changing temperatures and extending and shrinking daylight hours.

As autumn gets colder, they shed their lighter summer coat and grow in a thicker winter coat. As spring heats up, they shed those thicker winter coats in exchange for light coats suitable for hot weather.

However, for Dobermans, these seasons are usually not particularly noticeable and aren’t that much more severe than regular shedding. You may notice more shedding than usual, but not to an extremely out-of-the-ordinary degree.

This is especially true for Dobermans that spend most of their time indoors. Their bodies may not receive any signals for shedding season and their coats may not undergo that much of a change.

6 Ways To Best Deal With A Shedding Doberman

1.   Brush Regularly

Given a Doberman’s short fur, it’s quite easy to brush them every day, and that’s something you’ll need to do to control shedding levels. A basic pin brush, short-bristled brush, or grooming mitt works wonders because of the breed’s manageable fur length. 

Brush your Doberman daily, preferably outdoors in the yard so fur can’t get around your house and furniture.

You can also provide a more thorough brushing once a week with a rubber grooming tool or stiff brush, especially during shedding seasons, but with daily brushing that’s not usually necessary.

2.   Bathe Regularly With Special Shampoo

Dobermans don’t usually need regular bathing. For the most part, they stay clean and their fur is short enough to allow them to dry off and stay neat easily. However, bathing this breed once every 6 to 8 weeks can work wonders for taming shedding.

Do note that commercial shampoos are likely to be too harsh for a Doberman’s skin, which can lead to irritation and worsen shedding.

To avoid this, opt for an anti-shedding shampoo, or seek out special shampoo formulas with an emphasis on natural ingredients, pH balance, hydration, or oatmeal bases. 

After bathing your Doberman in this way, give it a quick dry and then brush its fur. You’ll be able to easily pull away any loose hairs after this bath, so your dog will be ready to head out with a clean body and less loose fur.

3.   Invest In A Good Vacuum

Dealing with shedding and dog fur is a natural part of owning a dog. That’s why investing in a good, strong vacuum is a long-term way to manage shedding in an easy and simple way.

A simple but powerful hand-held vacuum, preferably with a low volume, will quickly and easily suck up any fur that’s adhering to your clothes, furniture, floors, and walls.

You’ve probably also seen some videos online of dogs who enjoy getting their bodies vacuumed. Of course, most dogs hate the loud noises of a vacuum or will be suspicious and uncomfortable with being vacuumed.

But if your Doberman happens to enjoy it instead, then that’s a very easy way to quickly vacuum up loose hair on your dog before it even sheds!

4.   Ensure A Healthy Diet

A dog’s diet influences virtually every function that its body has. In the same way that human beings who eat well often have great hair and skin, a dog’s skin and fur are affected by the types of food it eats.

A Doberman’s diet should have sufficient omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Diets low in unnecessary grains and carbs are best, and treats should be used sparingly and never in excess. 

You can talk to your vet about recommended food options for your Doberman with a focus on reducing shedding. Veterinarians have a good idea of the type of food that would be safest and healthiest for your pooch.

You should also get your dog tested for any potential food allergies if you notice excessive shedding, as allergic reactions are a common cause of unusual fur loss.

If necessary, a veterinarian may also recommend dietary or nutritional supplements for your Doberman. Omega-3 supplements are the most common. Note that you should never give your dog a supplement without speaking to your vet about it first. 

5.   Give Your Dog Enough Exercise

Exercise is crucial to a dog’s health, and Dobermans are no exception. While exercise doesn’t directly impact shedding, it does have an effect on a dog’s circulation.

Low circulation can cause hair follicles to weaken, leading to additional shedding. Regular exercise will help to keep a Doberman’s circulation healthy, which indirectly helps fur stay healthy!

Doberman playing outside

Dobermans are extremely high-energy dogs and need a big fenced area to play in and live their lives so they can expend all the energy that they have. They also need long daily excursions, enjoying hikes and walks, to truly use up the energy that they have.

Free play, agility courses, tracking training, and other canine sports are especially interesting to Dobermans thanks to their additional mental stimulation needs.

6.   Health Checks

If you’ve done all of the above and think your Doberman’s shedding levels are still excessive, it’s time to talk to a vet.

Factors like stress, allergies, diseases, bad shampoo, and bad dietary practices can all increase shedding in any dog. Your vet can advise you on whether or not your Doberman’s shedding is normal.

Should Shedding Stop You From Getting A Doberman?

Whether or not you choose not to get a Doberman because of the breed’s shedding depends entirely on your unique needs and situation.

The first thing to consider is your health. If you have a strong allergy to dog fur or have asthma or a similar respiratory problem that can be aggravated by dog fur, Dobermans may not be the best choice for you. 

Next, consider your spare or free time. How much time can you devote to cleaning fur from your furniture, floor, and clothes? How much time do you have to brush a Doberman daily to reduce excessive shedding?

If you don’t have a lot of time to spare, the added chore of cleaning up after a Doberman’s fur can be a bit too much.

Then, consider things like nutritional supplements to help a Doberman’s shedding become less severe.

Do you have the financial space to regularly ensure the perfect diet? Do you have the energy and time to try out different supplements or experiment with meal composition until you achieve optimal fur health for a Doberman?

At the end of the day, dealing with a Doberman’s shedding is entirely about the time and effort you can devote to the task. Consider these factors thoroughly before making your decision!

Conclusion

Dobermans are relatively heavy shedders, though they’re not at the top of the high-shedding list, and their short fur requires daily brushings to keep in check. While not hypoallergenic, the length of their fur means it’s quite easy to clean up fallen fur, so even those with sensitivities to dog hair may be able to coexist peacefully with Dobermans.

On top of that, there are things you can do to help a Doberman shed less in the form of regular grooming and cleaning, a healthy diet, and staying on top of household cleaning with a vacuum.