Labrador Retrievers have long been known as America’s best friend, holding their spot as the American Kennel Club’s most popular dog breed for a record three decades.1
These friendly pooches of Canadian origin are often referred to as “light-switch dogs,” meaning they’ll jump at the chance to join you in whatever you want to do, whether it’s a challenging hike or snuggling up with a movie.
Perhaps second only to their enthusiastic temperament, Labs are most famous for their silky, shiny fur. They may not look at it, but if you’ve ever pet a Lab, you’ll know that their double coats are densely packed. If you’re in the market to adopt one of America’s sweethearts, learning of their well-hidden fluffiness may beg the question: do Labrador Retrievers shed?
Read on to learn how Labs got their coats, whether you can expect yours to shed, and what you can do to manage Labrador shedding.
The Original Wetsuit: A History of Lab Coats
Believe it or not, there’s a reason your Lab’s coat is so thick and luscious, and it’s not merely a component of his dashing good looks.
Originally bred as a friend to fishermen and employed to catch ducks and runaway fish, it’s unknown why these traditional waterdogs of Newfoundland bear the name of another nearby Canadian region (Labrador).2 Nevertheless, when standardizing the breed’s physical traits in the late 19th Century, British breeders sought to honor Labradors’ original purpose.
Labs’ short, dense, double coats are weather-resistant and waterproof,3 making them ideal for Canadian winters (as opposed to longhaired retriever breeds, who would often emerge from the water encrusted with ice).
Their coats’ outer layer is slightly oily in texture, designed to repel water. Meanwhile, the thick, soft inner layer works to keep them warm and dry. Even Labs’ thick, tapered “otter tails” were designed with a purpose: to work as a “rudder,” aiding in faster turns while swimming.
Today, your family pet might not necessarily be an employed fisherman, but you might’ve noticed that he loves the water and can stand the cold for long periods of time. And even on a leisurely swim in your neighborhood lake or pond, there’s still nothing cuter than that “otter tail” in action.
How Much Do Labrador Retrievers Shed?
While your Lab’s double coat is an homage to his heritage (and also delightfully soft), it also guarantees more Labrador shedding to keep up with.4 Your dog’s cottony undercoat, in particular, will shed quite a bit around the time the seasons change.
You might notice extra fur coming off onto your comb (or your groomer’s) around these transition times. Labs shed in handfuls, so it’s likely a good idea to brush them every day during peak shedding times as part of their regular grooming (especially before a bath, in order to wash away any dead hair).5
Does This Mean I’m Allergic to Labs?
It’s worth noting that Labs’ fluffy coats and tendency to shed don’t necessarily make them a more threatening allergen for those allergic to dogs.6 People are not allergic to a dogs’ fur itself, but rather a substance found in anything the dog secretes (including dander, a.k.a dead skin cells).
This means that even a hairless dog may cause an allergic person to sneeze. So, when choosing dog breeds to adopt, keep shedding in mind in terms of grooming and maintenance, but remember that no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic.
A Fresher Fluff: Tips to Manage Shedding
As long as you’re prepared come shedding season, managing your Lab’s excessive shedding will be a breeze. All it requires is a few adjustments to your Labrador retriever puppies’ routine. Not to mention, taking these Labrador Retriever grooming steps to minimize shedding will ultimately benefit your pup’s skin and coat health.7
Grooming Routine
During peak shedding season (typically during the fall and spring months, as dogs’ bodies prepare for winter and summer), your Lab’s coat will likely need a little extra TLC.
Brushing every day is ideal, but at least three to four times a week will do the trick. Brushing sessions should last about five to ten minutes, and they should help soften your pet’s coat and reduce future shedding.
Shedding season may call for a few extra baths for your pup as well. If you can squeeze them in, weekly baths are ideal. During the winter and summer months, bathing your dog two to three times per month will suffice.
Brush your Lab before her bath, in order to remove current dead hair; then shampoo her under warm water. Be sure to check for any stray hairs in the eyes and ears, ensure that your shampoo of choice hasn’t irritated her eyes, and finally, dry her ears completely. Once your pup is completely dried off, brush her one more time.
At-Home Grooming Tools
Whether you groom your dog entirely by yourself or simply like to keep up with maintenance between professional grooming sessions, a few at-home grooming essentials are a worthy investment.
You might need to try a few different types of brushes to find one that suits your dog’s specific coat, but a wide-toothed comb or a brush with metal- or plastic-tipped wire pins will likely work best for Labs’ short-but-thick coats. For Labs whose fur is particularly thick, consider trying a brush or “rake” made specifically for de-shedding.
Another brushing method for short-haired dogs involves brushing with a stiff bristle brush, followed by a slicker brush.8 The bristle brush preps the loose hair by dislodging it, then the slicker brush gently pulls it out.
When bathing your pup at home, choosing the right shampoo is essential to avoiding additional shedding, Labrador Retriever skin problems, dryness, and flakiness. Look for a shampoo without artificial colors; instead, choose a product with natural ingredients like:
- Oatmeal
- Chamomile
- Olive extract
- Lavender
- Aloe extract
- Mushroom extract
Ingredients like these will help restore your pup’s skin’s natural oils and keep her pH balance in check.
While a quality brush and shampoo are paramount, you might want to consider expanding your home grooming kit with a few additional items, including:
- Thick, absorbent towels
- A cool-air hair dryer (or even a canine-specific hairdryer)
- Canine toothpaste and a canine toothbrush
- Disposable dental wipes
- Veterinary ear-cleaning solution
- A grooming table (an outdoor picnic table will do, too)
- A tub for bathing (you can also use your own tub or shower)
- A canine Dremel (nail clipping tool)
With these tools on hand, you’ll never find yourself in a pinch between grooming appointments (or even dental checkups).
Supplements and Diet
If you’re concerned that your Lab’s shedding has become excessive, consider consulting your vet about whether certain dog food and dietary adjustments might help. Some vets recommend omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements to support healthy skin. These supplements will not stop your pet’s shedding completely (which is a good thing, as it’s a necessary process), but will rather encourage shedding in faster bursts, bringing a more swift end to shedding season.8
In general, a high-quality, balanced diet will help keep your pup’s skin and coat healthy. Check the ingredients of his daily food to ensure it includes those crucial omegas as well as biotin, a skin-and-coat-healthy B-vitamin.
Health Conditions That Spur Shedding
If you’ve taken all the aforementioned steps and still notice excessive shedding, an underlying Labrador Retriever health issue or condition may be the culprit. Ask your vet if your Lab’s excess fur loss may be the result of:
- A reaction to fleas or ticks
- An allergic skin reaction to environmental factors like pollen or certain grasses (similar to human seasonal allergies)
- Food allergies or a generally unbalanced diet
- Fungal, bacterial, or yeast infections
While shedding by the handful is normal for Labs, it’s always worth double-checking to ensure that the reason for your pup’s fur loss is merely the season and not cause for a dog health concern.
Control the Coat with Vetericyn
Friends to fishermen in centuries-ago Canada and now beloved family pets worldwide, Labs have won us over with both their eager, industrious personalities and their beautiful layers of richly colored fur.
While that gorgeous coat does come with the price of some shedding, it’s easily manageable with a bit of planning and preparation. By crafting a shedding-season grooming routine you can stick to and consulting your vet about dietary adjustments, you can give your pet the gift of a “light-switch” coat to match his demeanor.
Vetericyn is here to help you along your shedding season journey. Our ALL-IN supplements act like a daily multivitamin for dogs, containing shedding-friendly omegas and biotin, as well as other holistically coat-healthy ingredients like carrot and amla fruit powder.
And beyond fur and skin, they’ll boost your Lab’s health across the board, with additional natural ingredients like collagen, ashwagandha, and probiotics.
Vetericyn’s Foam Care Shampoo is also here to support you through those bonus baths, with pH balanced, hypoallergenic ingredients that wash off clean and easy.
All-natural aloe leaf and mushroom extracts help ensure your pup’s skin is hydrated and soothed against any potential irritation and flaking.
Shedding season doesn’t have to be a hassle. With Vetericyn by your side, your Lab will boast a full, shiny coat worthy of Labradorian (or maybe Newfoundland) waters come season’s end.
Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle
Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
Sources:
- American Kennel Club. Why Labs Are One of America’s Most Popular Dogs. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/why-labradors-popular/
- American Kennel Club. Labrador Retriever. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever/
- ASPCA Pet Insurance. Labrador Retriever. https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/labrador-retriever-facts/
- American Kennel Club. What is a Double Coat, and What Dog Breeds Are Double-Coated? https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/double-coated-dog-breeds/
- American Kennel Club. How to Groom a Labrador Retriever. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-groom-a-labrador-retriever/
- Northwestern University. Fido Fact or Fiction: The Truth About Hypoallergenic Pets. https://www.helix.northwestern.edu/2009/05/19/fido-fact-or-fiction-the-truth-about-hypoallergenic-pets/
- Texas A&M University. Brushing Up for Shedding Season. https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/reduce-dog-shedding/
- The Ohio State University. Shedding Season is Early This Year. https://u.osu.edu/pets/2017/05/03/shedding-season-is-early-this-year/
