Dachshunds with their intelligence and cute little smile always win everyone’s heart. Their unique body shape is always the talk of the town.
But sometimes their beauty can be overshadowed by a common canine problem, shedding. Do dachshunds shed a lot? It is a common question for every individual who plans to own a doxie.
Dachshunds are moderate shedders based on their coat types. Shedding is an inherited property from their ancestors.
So here in this article, we will be discussing the causes of shedding in dachshunds and how to deal with it.
Dachshund Coat Patterns
Primarily dachshunds have three types of coat variants, smooth, wire-haired, and long hair. Each one of them has different shedding patterns.
The smooth-coated dachshunds have a dense but short coat that does not shed much around the year. On the other hand, if we talk about long-haired doxies their shedding is seasonal based mostly around spring and autumn.
However, wirehaired dachshunds are usually moderate shedders with their soft and fluffy undercoats and beautiful curly outer coats, which make them perfect beauty models.
How Seasons Affect Shedding In Dachshunds
Seasonal changes play a big role in shedding in dachshunds. Their body goes through several changes in their coat density because of temperature rise and to maintain equilibrium with the environment.
We have seen shedding triggers mostly during the spring and autumn seasons, at this time even smooth-haired dachshunds undergo shedding but not as much as the other two coat variants.
What Are the Reasons Affecting Shedding in Dachshunds
Many of the dachshund owners ask if food is the reason for their puppy’s shedding. Yes, a proper diet and nutrition play a crucial role in their skin and coat health.
A doxie who lacks essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals causes their coat hair to turn dry and hard and makes shedding even worse.
Parasitic infections, skin allergies, and thyroid imbalances are some of the common health conditions that lead to excessive shedding in Sausage dogs.
Sudden fluctuations in temperature, humidity, stress, anxiety, and exposure to harmful substances can also trigger shedding patterns.
What Grooming Tools To Use In Shedding
Having some high-quality grooming tools comes in handy in managing dachshund shedding. For long-haired variants, a perfectly shaped stainless steel comb works like magic.
For wire-haired and smooth-haired doxies, a round-tipped pin brush is a great choice for removing all loose hair.
For heavy shedders, you can equip shedding blades that will help you remove even the undercoat hair. Other tools like Furminator are more promising in removing loose hair.
How To Brush Your Dachshund Coat
Brushing your puppy regularly keeps your pup’s coat condition in check, however, the frequency of brushing the hair depends on the coat type.
For Smooth and wire-haired dachshunds it is ideal to brush the coat 2 to 3 times a week. And for the long-haired beauties experts suggest daily coat brushing with gentle strokes helps in reducing shedding.
How Bathing Effects Shedding In Dachshund
Bathing doesn’t play much of a role or act as a remedy for shedding but it can be a medium of cleanliness for your puppy’s coat.
Bathing a dachshund can be challenging, but the question is what’s the best way? It all depends on coat type and what types of activity he does.
Keep in mind don’t overbathe your puppy it might wash away essential oils from the coat and cause skin irritation, dryness and finally lead to shedding.
Use a high-quality shampoo designed for dogs only thoroughly check all the ingredients and make sure there are no harsh chemicals that might cause any hair damage.
Conclusion
Shedding is something that happens with all the dachshunds and it’s a natural process, but it becomes problematic when it becomes uncontrollable. We have mentioned all the tools, health practices, and grooming methods that will surely help in shedding.
With patience, persistence, and lots of love, you will be able to manage shedding in a dachshund.
Note: If the puppy is facing consistent skin irritation, itching, or heavy hair loss while brushing and the texture of the coat seems to be changing then it is to be advised you should seek professional help from your veterinarian.