Great Pyrenees are known for their thick double coats, which can be a blessing and a curse for dog owners. They shed heavily, especially during seasonal changes.
Their shedding is a natural process, and it's essential to understand that it's not just about getting rid of old hair, but also about growing new ones. This double coat helps protect them from extreme temperatures, but it requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
Great Pyrenees shed heavily twice a year, in the spring and fall, and lightly throughout the rest of the year. They can lose up to 1-2 pounds of hair per week during these periods.
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Great Pyrenees Shedding Basics
Great Pyrenees shed a lot, and it's not just because they're big dogs. They have a thick, double coat of fur that helps keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Their shedding is heaviest in the spring when they "blow out" their soft undercoat to prevent overheating in the summer. This process occurs twice a year, depending on your location.
You'll need to brush your Great Pyrenees constantly during these times to prevent shedding from getting out of control. Most professional groomers recommend brushing them outside to keep the mess contained.
The size of your Great Pyrenees does affect the amount of shedding you'll deal with. Their huge size means they have a lot of fur, and you'll need to be prepared to handle it.
Great Pyrenees shedding often occurs in clumps, especially when they blow out their winter coat. You can grab handfuls of fur and pull it off their coat without harming your dog.
Here's a rough idea of what to expect in terms of shedding:
Keep in mind that every dog is different, and the amount of shedding you'll experience may vary depending on your individual Great Pyrenees.
Factors Affecting Shedding
Great Pyrenees are huge dogs, with males weighing up to 130 pounds and females weighing between 85 to 120 pounds, which means they have a lot of fur to deal with.
Their extra-large size is a significant factor in the amount of shedding they have, compared to smaller breeds like the Beagle.
The type of coat the Great Pyrenees has is also a major contributor to their shedding, as it's thick, double-layered, and fluffy, and needs to be replaced seasonally.
A Great Pyrenees' diet can also affect their shedding, as a diet that provides the right levels of essential nutrients can make their coat soft and shiny, and reduce some shedding.
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Dog's Size Affect Shedding?
A dog's size can significantly affect the amount of shedding they do. The Great Pyrenees, for example, is a huge dog, with males typically weighing over 100 pounds and females weighing between 85 to 120 pounds.
Their massive size means they have a lot of fur to shed. In fact, a Great Pyrenees can shed much more than a Beagle, which weighs between 20 and 30 pounds but has a similar shedding level.
Their extra-large size requires more frequent grooming to deal with the excess fur.
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Hormones Affecting Dogs
Hormones play a huge role in how bodies function, and an imbalance can cause a change in just about anything, including shedding.
If your dog was recently spayed or neutered, it could cause a change in shedding. This is a normal circumstance.
If your dog is pregnant or nursing, you will likely notice more fur being shed. This is also a normal but noticeable change.
Chunks of hair falling out could be a sign of a more serious hormonal imbalance. Always contact your vet if you're unsure about what you're seeing.
Is Your Dog Normal?
Shedding is normal for Great Pyrenees year-round, but hair loss is not. Hair loss is a symptom of some larger problem.
Hair loss can be seen as clumps or chunks of hair coming out at a time, or as bald spots or thinning of the overall coat.
Poor nutrition, fungal or bacterial infections, and allergies can cause hair loss. A veterinarian can usually tell you if the amount of hair shed is normal.
If you suspect your dog's shedding is not normal, take them to the vet. They can identify the underlying cause of hair loss and help you fix it.
Other Reasons for Shedding
Great Pyrenees have a thick, double-layered, and fluffy coat that needs to be replaced seasonally, which can lead to a significant amount of shedding.
Regular baths are a must for these dogs, especially considering their talent for getting dirty and their bright white coats that show every speck of dirt.
Their wild sides can also contribute to their need for regular grooming, which can help reduce shedding.
It's essential to ensure that your dog is experiencing a normal level of shedding and not suffering from abnormal hair loss, which can be caused by various factors.
Why They Shed
Great Pyrenees shed a lot because their coat is designed to keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Their coat is fluffy and white, which is a result of their natural need for temperature regulation.
Their coat is a special adaptation to their environment, not just for aesthetics. This is why their shedding is a natural process that helps them adjust to changing temperatures.
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The fluffiness of their coat also helps to trap warm air next to their skin in cold weather. This is a clever trick that helps them stay cozy in chilly temperatures.
Their shedding is not just limited to seasonal changes, it's a year-round process. This means that Great Pyrenees owners should be prepared for regular grooming to manage their shedding.
Preventing or Reducing
Brushing and grooming your dog is the best way to tackle and reduce hair shedding. Regular brushing can make a big difference in reducing shedding.
If your double-coated dog develops patches and loses chunks of hair as you pet it, it's an alarming indicator that you should take your dog to the vet.
Air purifiers with HEPA filters can help clean the air in your house from dog hair, but it's still essential to dust surfaces regularly.
You should brush your dog regularly, at least once a week during the year and up to once daily during shedding season.
The right diet can dramatically change the quality of your dog's skin and coat, leading to less unhealthy fur overall, which means less fur shed.
Keeping your pup's stressors low in their lives can also help reduce shedding, as stress can inhibit essential daily functions and cause a decline in hair health.
Regular baths will help to clean their coat and prevent hair from building up in the dense underlayer.
Optimizing your dog's skin health will lead to less unhealthy fur overall, which means less fur shed, so it's essential to talk with your vet about the best diet for your dog.
Remember that your Great Pyrenees will always shed a little no matter what you do, so don't worry if after all of this you still find fur around your house.
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Grooming and Maintenance
Great Pyrenees are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, despite their thick double coats.
Regular brushing is essential to reduce shedding and prevent matting. Brush your Great Pyrenees often, ideally weekly, with a soft rubber brush to remove dead hair from the upper coat.
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During shedding season, you may need to brush daily to keep the fur under control. Consider using a brush with metal teeth, like a Furminator, to reach the dense undercoat.
Bathing your Great Pyrenees every 4-6 weeks can also help reduce shedding and keep their coat clean. However, be careful not to overdo it, as frequent bathing can lead to dry fur and skin.
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What Type of Coat?
The Great Pyrenees has a heavy, medium-length double coat that's a key part of their majestic appearance. This double coat is made up of a thick undercoat and a long top coat.
They shed a lot because of this coat, with some sources rating their shedding at a 4 out of 5 and the AKC at a 3 out of 5. This means they shed year-round, not just seasonally like some other breeds.
Their coat is highly resistant to dirt and tangling, which makes grooming a bit easier. This is especially good news because their massive size makes giving them a bath a labor-intensive undertaking.
Brush Regularly
Brushing your Great Pyrenees regularly is essential to reduce shedding and prevent matting. Brushing is one of the most underrated ways to reduce the fur shed in your home!
You'll want to brush your pup outside if you can, so the extra fluff that flies off of your brush doesn't turn into another dust bunny in your home. Regular brushing helps to reduce shedding by removing old and dead fur before it reaches the point of falling out on its own.
Brushing your Great Pyrenees often will also help to remove tangles and prevent matting. You can probably get by with weekly brushing for most of the year, but during shedding season (Spring and maybe Fall) you'll want to brush your furry friend more often.
Daily brushing might be necessary during heavy shedding seasons, but it's not necessary to keep their coat looking beautiful, just to keep shedding under control. Brushing with two types of brushes, a soft rubber brush and a brush with metal teeth, will help to remove dead hair from their upper coat and reach the dense undercoat.
Regular brushing will also help to reduce the amount of fur that falls out and gets everywhere in your home. By brushing your Great Pyrenees regularly, you'll be able to keep their coat looking healthy and clean, and reduce the amount of shedding that goes on inside your home.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Feed your Great Pyrenees a balanced diet that's full of macro and micronutrients to support their skin health. This will help their fur stay healthy and alive for longer, reducing shedding.
A diet with adequate protein and fat is essential for skin and fur health. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best diet for your furry friend.
Picking a diet that provides the right levels of all essential nutrients is crucial. Sometimes, supplementing with something like flaxseed oil can help make a dog's coat even healthier.
If your dog has recently changed food and you notice more shedding, they might be allergic to something in the food. This could cause an overall health issue that results in many small symptoms, including a less healthy coat.
A dog with healthy skin and fur will naturally shed less, including the Great Pyrenees.
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Seasonal Shedding
Great Pyrenees shed seasonally, which means they blow their coat twice a year. This typically occurs in the spring and fall, when the temperature changes dramatically.
During these times, you can expect to see a lot of shedding, and it's essential to brush your Great Pyrenees regularly to reduce the amount of loose hair. In fact, most professional groomers recommend brushing your Great Pyrenees outside to prevent the furry mess from taking over your home.
The seasonal shedding is a natural process, and it helps your Great Pyrenees stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It's a normal function of a healthy animal, and it's not uncommon for owners to feel overwhelmed by the amount of shedding.
Here's a rough estimate of when you can expect to see the most shedding:
Keep in mind that the exact shedding period may vary depending on your location and your Great Pyrenees' individual characteristics. However, with regular brushing and a little patience, you can manage the shedding and keep your home clean.
Our Final Thoughts
Great Pyrenees shed throughout the year and seasonally, with some owners reporting two big shedding events per year.
To manage their coat and reduce shedding, consider investing in regular grooming tools and techniques.
Their thick double coat is designed to protect them from harsh mountain weather, but it also means they shed a lot.
With proper care and attention, you can minimize the amount of fur your Great Pyrenees sheds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Great Pyrenees ever stop shedding?
Great Pyrenees shed year-round, but regular grooming can help minimize shedding. They never stop shedding completely, but with proper care, you can manage it.
Are Great Pyrenees hypoallergenic?
No, Great Pyrenees are not hypoallergenic dogs. They shed heavily and have a high drooling tendency, making them a less suitable choice for those with allergies.
Why can't you cut Great Pyrenees hair?
Cutting a Great Pyrenees' hair can be hazardous due to their sensitive skin, which is prone to burning in the sun. It's essential to maintain their natural coat to ensure their safety and well-being.
Sources
- Pyr Facts - Pyradigm Great Pyrenees (pyradigmgreatpyrenees.com)
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/great-pyrenees# (petmd.com)
- https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/great-pyrenees/ (akc.org)
- 7 dog breeds that shed the most (and how to reduce it) (dogsbestlife.com)
- How To Reduce Shedding In Great Pyrenees! - (Answered) (notabully.org)
- Great Pyrenees Club of America (gpcaonline.org)
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