This guide explains answer to the question do border terriers shed, and so here is all you need to know about Border terrier shedding. Unlike some dog breeds, border terriers have two coats; an outer coat that is hard and wiry with an inner coat that is soft and smooth to the touch. The outer coat grows to a point where it has to be removed for a new coat to grow, at this point, your border terrier will shed its fur.
Shedding is usually seasonal although border terriers shed their fur gradually almost all the time. For maintenance, brushing its coat a few times weekly will protect your home from a fur invasion – having its fur all around. Also, since shedding tends to fall in spring and in fall, you may need to brush more often during these periods.
Border Terrier Shedding
When the coat of this dog breed is well maintained, it does not shed so much and it happens almost yearly. Compared to other dogs that shed their fur, border terriers are pretty moderate shedders. Border Terriers are not the least shedders but when they are well taken care of and given the right diet, the frequency at which they lose their fur will be highly negligible unless it’s shedding season.
And even in their Shedding season, they still don’t match extreme shedders like the German shedders. Spring and fall come with serious weather changes and usually shedding aids their adjustment to the weather change.
There are certain factors that also influence shedding behaviour. These include acts like clipping, stripping and hand removal of the hair or fur.
Clipping is the practice of reducing the length of a dog’s fur with a clipping device. This may help in giving the dog’s fur a certain shape but it does not help in maintaining proper growth. Border Terriers need to have their old fur removed for the new ones growing to make their way out. As a result, clipping is of little to no value to this process.
Stripping on the other hand has to do with the removal of the hair of the outer coat. The best approach to stripping is gentle hand removal done at intervals and maybe, multiple times daily. This is often a difficult process for the dog owner as it requires a lot of effort and patience. Although, it should not be so difficult if the procedure is well spaced.
Border Terriers do not release much fur even in their Shedding season. This can be partially controlled and managed when the coat is brushed a few times a week and clipped regularly with an increased frequency during the Shedding season.
Also Read: What Happens If You Don’t Strip Border Terriers
Do Border Terriers Shed a Lot of Hair?
On average, border terriers are low shedders and at most medium shedders. The amount of hair your Border Terrier sheds may be an indication of its underlying health condition. So when you notice your Border is Shedding its fur beyond normal, you should see a vet to have it examined.
Asides factors like clipping and stripping that affects Shedding in border terriers, diet also plays a role.
The best diet for borders should be rich in system compatible proteins, recommended fats, bones and vegetables. Creating a food plan or food timetable will help you in ensuring your Border is eating the right amount of food it needs for its healthy growth and functioning.
So, no, border terriers do not shed a lot of hair. If you are doing everything right, feeding it the right food and dutifully maintaining its coat, shedding should be little to average.
Also Read: Why Do Border Terriers Bark
How Often Do Border Terriers Shed?
In reality, border terriers shed their fur almost all the time. The difference between normal shedding and shedding in shedding season is the frequency with which it loses its hair. Constant and careful brushing is sufficient in helping your dog get rid of its old hair. Clipping may also be beneficial.
However, stripping cannot be avoided in its shedding season. Why do Border Terriers have shedding seasons? The average period it takes a Border Terrier to grow a new coat is between 8 and 10 weeks. In this period, the border has to lose its old hair for a new one to emerge. This is why shedding occurs. Experts speculate that shedding may be increased in spring and fall because of accumulated fur and the need to adjust to the new environment.
Border Terriers Shed their hair as often as a new layer of fur starts to grow and shedding reaches its peak in shedding season.
Are Border Terriers Hypoallergenic?
A hypoallergenic dog is one that is less likely to cause an allergy. The term less likely is used because there is practically no dog that is incapable of causing an allergy. Some dogs are just more hypoallergenic than the others.
Border Terriers are often classed as hypoallergenic dogs even though there have been cases where they caused close to severe allergies. Also, the American Kennel Club does not consider the border terrier to be hypoallergenic.
And, a common quality with hypoallergenic dogs is that they rarely shed their fur. This is not true of border terriers. So, before getting a Border Terrier, it would be wise to consult with an expert and be sure that they would not cause you or your family problems.
Also Read: How to Train Border Terriers
All You Need To Know About Shedding
Shedding behaviour is often correlated with coat maintenance culture. Experts place Border Terriers in the category of fair shedders so you do not have to worry about having its fur around the house. All your little baby needs is adequate care and attention. This should not be too much work since Border Terriers tend to be well behaved and calm dogs – they would not get all dirty too quickly.
Simple practices like brushing go a long way in removing the old hair and also in the dissemination of its skin oils. This promotes the growth of healthy and strong hairs.
Bathing should also be done regularly and frequency should be increased when your Border Terrier gets constant exposure to the outside environment. Although, you should also be careful to not bath it too frequently as this will interfere with its coat’s nature.
Also, caution is needed in the selection of the soaps, moisturisers and shampoos that would be used for your dog. Your Border deserves the best and rightfully so. All the effort does pay off as the coat will retain its nature, texture and colour while maintaining the expected shedding rate.
Border Terriers are quite sensitive and their diet should be carefully prepared. Some of them are allergic to certain types of meat and this could lead to irritation, weakness and increased Shedding. It is important to pay attention to your Border and the things that do not go well with its body so they can be avoided.
In as much as there is no dog food or supplement that can stop shedding, the correct and balanced diet will help in maintaining the normal shedding level. You can speak with a specialist or dog nutritionist or vet to get advice on the best food for your Border Terrier as well as foods that may cause allergies that should be avoided.
Some Border Terrier owners shave their dog’s hair as a way of reducing Shedding. This is popular in summer and the common belief behind this action is to help the dog stay cool. While the intention behind this action is great, it is of little to no benefit. The coat is capable of regulating your dog’s internal temperature when the degrees rise outside so this may not be helpful. Also, shaving increases the likelihood of a possible irritation which may lead to increased shedding.
Spaying and neutering is another action common among owners and some people believe this helps with shedding. Spaying is the procedure for removing a female dog’s reproductive part while neutering is the procedure for males. Since Border Terriers are medium shedders, this move may be unnecessary. There is also no scientific backing that supports the claim that either spaying or neutering would reduce shedding.
When It comes to nervous regulation however, a link has been established between anxiety, nervousness, fear, stress and shedding.
The hormone adrenaline is responsible for a host of actions including shedding. This hormone is released in your border terrier when it experiences fear. Also, stress which could be due to a stressful outing, or anxiety due to separation can lead to increased shedding.
This heightened shedding frequency may be short-lived or long term. For shedding issues related to stress and anxiety, some experts are of the opinion that calming massages could help in managing the problem.
Conclusion
Shedding is a normal body process experienced by all border terriers. This process should not inconvenience either you or your dog in most cases but whenever it does, be quick to contact a vet. Factors like diet, stress, coat maintenance, anxiety and day to day activities could affect the rate of shedding. In all, keep a close eye on your border terrier and lay your complaints to your vet when shedding gets out of control.
