expatdoggieluv3r

I have a healthy 14-yr-old yellow lab, Ember, who sheds A LOT. I know that labs are supposed to be shedders, but Ember has always been one to shed profusely--more so than the typical lab, I'd say. Perhaps it's because she's a primarily indoor Southern Californian dog (she's living with my parents while I'm abroad in Europe), so the weather's never really cold enough for her to keep a thick coat. However, I've noticed that she has always had a really soft coat--it has almost remained unchanged since puppyhood. I love the fact that it's so soft to touch, but I think that's probably why she sheds so much! I've felt the coats on other labs, and they're usually a bit harsh to the touch. Ember's coat is slightly harsher along her spine, but her topcoat is generally very soft.

When friends come over to visit, they're always covered head-to-toe in fur by the time they leave. It has become a tradition to swipe people down with a sticky fur roller before they leave the house. I had a bichon frise, too, who obviously didn't shed. I loved that I could carry her around while wearing a black sweater and not have to worry about it turning into a white sweater.

Anyway, when I move back to California, I plan on getting another dog to keep Ember company during her final years (I hope she has a few years left in her). I have my heart set out on getting a Mioritic Shepherd (my husband's idea--he really wants this breed from his country!). Just wondering how much other people's dogs shed in general...if it's common to be covered in fur after playing with your dog. I had a rottie, and he never shed that much...so our lab has really blown us away with her ability to practically create another dog out of her fur after we brush her with a Zoom Groom!

Any other owners of extreme shedders out there so I don't feel like the only one? If so, what breeds are they?

Criosphynx

lol Iam in southern California...have five dogs, and none of them shed enough to be noticeable...even combined

do you parents have a furminator? What are they feeding her?

alfi

I will speak only for Liza a standard poodle...she doesn't shed at all!! You can play all day and hug her and you will see no hair at all on your clothes or floor!!

I really love that!

TegansMyBoy

oh my god, tegan sheds soooooo much, it's awful! But I love him anyway

Corgi's are said to have two shedding seasons, January to June, and June to January I'm ALWAYS covered in hair, and have a lint roller for me/guests by the door. Between the long haired cat, and mr. corgi butt, boyfriend and I are always finding fur on us...

It's fun though sometimes... to pick up your coat at a friends house and see your pups fur on it! heehee

Mikey

Furminator!! Works wonders also the pledge thingy for your couches


Mikey continuously sheds but not a large amount-mind you I'm used to a husky

Shastar

Oh the pledge sweeper works great! I even use it on my curtains because of the cats.

Star doesnt shed, Sassy is part husky so in the summer she is pretty bad with the shedding, and Clyde is part american eskimo so in the warm months he is pretty bad too. When it is cold out things are not as bad.

expatdoggieluv3r

Nope, no furminator...will look into it though! Sounds cool! They switch foods now and then...usually between Nutro Natural Choice and Kirkland. They also give her fish oil supplements, which I suspect is keeping her joints healthy in her old age. She still climbs up and down stairs with ease, even if she is a bit slower these days. My friend had a GSD who lived until 16 with fish oil supplements

Haha I actually feel the same way sometimes!! Like when I have to go abroad--when I arrive back in Europe and find Ember's fur still on my jacket, I feel secretly happy because it makes me feel close to her...it's like having a part of her with me in Europe!

I loved that about my bichon frise. I love those curly, fluffy coats!!

Hmm...so I guess those northern breeds in Socal would be profuse shedders as well. They're such beautiful dogs...don't think that stops anyone from owning them in Cali!

Oh...and another funny thing about Ember is that sometimes she likes to jump in the pool when humans are swimming, but then her fur pretty much covers the surface of the water by the time she gets out ...she once clogged up the filter...haha.

Mikey

It's fairly expensive-I ordered a knock off on ebay; My brush is identical to my parent's brush (the real thing) except this:
They paid 75$ at the store, I had mine delivered to my door for 13$
FURminator Watch the videos-it's incredible And it really does work like they say (plus you can use it on cats, rabbits, horses -anything with fur really)


Bahahahah

verarenczi

I have a husky and a black lab. They shed a ton, especially the husky. I almost got the furminator but I discovered that a company called Bamboo makes the same things for way cheaper. I got a hand held one at Big Lots for 3 dollars. They do wonders.

expatdoggieluv3r

Woohoo! I love getting these insider tips on cheaper yet equally effective pet supplies