Many people experience allergy problems throughout the year. Unfortunately, this means that you are likely hesitant to adopt a dog. Nevertheless, being prone to allergies doesn’t stop you from living life to the fullest.
By taking a few precautions, you may get to become a dog owner after all. For instance, you may be okay with a hypoallergenic dog. Some dogs fit into this group because they don’t shed as much or don’t produce as much dander.
Spoodle dogs may shed, but they’re still considered hypoallergenic. Truthfully, all dogs are going to shed to some degree. Spoodle dogs are at the lower end of the spectrum because they shed less.
Regardless, you’re still going to find spoodle fur throughout your home if you own one of these dogs. Be prepared for regular grooming and cleaning sessions to eliminate potential allergy issues in your home.
Understanding Spoodle Coats
People love spoodles because they’re so cute. A lot of this has to do with its coat. The spoodle can have various coat types, including wavy, straight, or curly. On top of that, multiple colours are possible. Some spoodle dogs have red, brown, tan, or cream coats.
The result always depends on the parents. Dogs may have fleece, wool, or hair. A fleece is a dog’s textured, spiralling, or wavy coat. A wool coat is what you would expect from a poodle. A dog’s hair will have a unique odour and will be prone to shedding.
Since your spoodle has a wool coat, it must be groomed extensively. Besides regular trimmings, the dog’s coat also needs to be brushed. The spoodle dog’s coat will depend entirely on the genes passed from its parents.
It is estimated that a dog has roughly 19,000 genes, yet only a few will impact the dog’s appearance. Breeders can also match two dogs to get the desired outcome although there is no guarantee.
When dogs give birth, they may produce up to 12 puppies. A couple of those dogs may have the desired appearance while the others may not.
Spoodles: 10 Pros And Cons Every Potential Owner Should Know
Do Spoodles Shed Hair?
Since spoodle dogs are hypoallergenic, some owners believe they’ll never have to worry about cleaning up dog hair. This may be true in a perfect world. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case because all dogs will shed.
Nevertheless, spoodles are better in this category than other dog breeds. Spoodles are called hypoallergenic because they don’t shed as much as other breeds. Since they are considered hypoallergenic, these dogs are better for people with allergies.
Still, inappropriate grooming techniques and an unhealthy diet can cause any hypoallergenic dog to shed. Remember that there are key differences between conventional shedding and hair loss.
The latter tends to be associated with dog health issues. If a dog is losing its hair, there is a risk that it has a serious health issue. Alternatively, it could be caused by stress.
When dogs are exposed to high-stress situations, they tend to shed more. For instance, dogs with separation anxiety will shed more when they’re left alone at home.
A handful of other health issues can lead to more shedding too. For instance, a dog with dermatitis, kidney issues, adrenal disease, parasites, infections, or allergies may shed more than healthy dogs.
If any signs of hair loss are present, immediately take your dog to a nearby vet. Don’t delay because a serious health issue may cause the shedding.
Factors Influencing Spoodle Shedding
A dog is going to shed throughout the year. However, certain factors can cause the dog to shed more or less. For starters, puppy dogs and adult dogs are going to shed differently. Puppies are smaller so their hair will be shorter.
Therefore, you may have a harder time seeing the small hairs. Another thing to note is that puppy dogs will shed their fur at some point to prepare for adulthood.
Usually, this happens when the dog is a few months old. However, it always happens before the dog is 1. Its original coat will be shed to make room for its adult coat. Certain health problems can cause shedding too.
As mentioned above, dermatitis, allergies, infections, parasites, and other diseases can cause a dog to shed more. If your dog is shedding more than usual, it is pertinent to determine whether it is natural or caused by a serious health issue.
Certain dogs are also going to shed seasonally. It is common for some breeds to shed before spring to get ready for the warm weather. During fall, they’ll grow a longer coat to ensure that they can stay warm during the colder months. Spoodles normally don’t fit into this group.
Comparing Spoodle Shedding To Other Breeds
People with allergies can still own dogs but must pick the right breeds. If you speak to a medical professional, they may recommend a handful of breeds. There is a good chance that the spoodle is going to be on the list.
These dogs are hypoallergenic because they don’t shed as much as others. However, the dog’s shedding behaviour will depend on its health and whether it has any skin issues. Putting a spoodle dog in a stressful situation can also cause it to shed more.
The dogs that shed the most include the Labrador Retriever, the German Shepherd, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Great Pyrenees, and the Shiba Inu. Thankfully, the Spoodle is among the dogs that shed the least.
Still, you have to remember that all dogs are going to shed, including the spoodle. There is often a myth that dogs in this group will not shed, but the truth is that all dogs shed.
Since the spoodle sheds less, it should leave behind less dander too. In theory, this hypoallergenic breed should cause fewer allergy problems. On the other hand, some research suggests that the hypoallergenic dog concept is untrue. At the very least, the spoodle will shed less than other breeds.
The spoodle is a crossbred dog that was created by breeding a poodle and a cocker spaniel. While poodles are hypoallergenic, cocker spaniels are not. Therefore, a purebred poodle may be more hypoallergenic than a spoodle. Nevertheless, your spoodle dog will likely shed less than a cocker spaniel, German Shepherd, and Labrador retriever.
Managing Spoodle Shedding
If you begin experiencing allergy problems, it could be a problem associated with your dog’s coat. With this in mind, you may need to take steps to prevent your spoodle from shedding so much. In particular, changing your grooming behaviours can make a big difference.
You’ll also need to make sure that you’re using the right tools to deal with your spoodle’s coat. A proper diet will prove to be very helpful as well. If you want to stop your spoodle from shedding, you have to be very aggressive. Start by brushing and combing the dog’s hair regularly.
Brushing will help remove dead hair from the spoodle’s coat. Bathing is also pertinent although you don’t want to overdo it. In particular, you should try to bathe your spoodle once or twice a month. Too many baths will cause your spoodle’s skin to become dry and flaky.
It will also remove essential oils and cause a dull coat. Make sure to choose a mild shampoo that is designed for spoodle dogs. When brushing your spoodle, try to brush for up to 10 minutes. Do this at least three or four times a week. If your dog will tolerate it, you can also vacuum your dog to remove stray hairs.
Don’t forget to purchase a de-shedding tool. These tools are specifically designed to remove hair from spoodle dogs and other dogs. The tool will collect the hair to prevent it from falling to the floor.
Finally, you may need to alter your spoodle dog’s diet to prevent shedding. When you create a diet for your spoodle, make sure it is high in omega-3 fatty acids, oily fish, lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and protein. Give your dog fresh, clean water.
Be sure to avoid fillers and starchy foods because they can cause hair loss and inflammation.
Common Questions About Spoodle Shedding
Many people will have questions about a spoodle dog’s shedding. After all, they want to make sure they’re bringing the right breed into their homes. Are you positive that a spoodle is right for your family?
Besides its shedding behaviour, you’ll also need to consider the dog’s cost and temperament. Regardless, spoodles don’t shed as much as other breeds. More about this will be provided below.
Why Is My Spoodle Shedding A Lot?
From time to time, you may notice that your spoodle is shedding more than normal. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact problem because multiple issues could be at play.
The spoodle may be shedding its puppy coat if you’re dealing with a puppy. It will do this to prepare for its adult coat. Usually, spoodle puppies will shed their puppy coats before they turn one. Highly stressful situations can also cause a spoodle to shed more. Try to reduce your dog’s stress levels to avoid this problem.
Separation anxiety tends to be a common problem for spoodle dogs. You will need to train your dog properly to prevent this problem from causing excessive shedding and other issues.
Your dog’s diet could be the problem as well. If you’ve been feeding your dog human food or starchy food, its diet could be the culprit. Cut these foods out of your dog’s diet and try giving it an omega-3 supplement. This could resolve the problem.
How To Differentiate Between Normal Shedding And Health-Related Hair Loss?
Are you concerned that your dog’s shedding could be a bigger problem? After all, shedding and hair loss sometimes look similar. You must take a closer look to determine whether it is normal or something bigger.
In particular, you must look at the dog’s skin. Run your fingers through the dog’s coat and carefully look at the skin under the hair. Check for red patches and flaky skin. These signs could pinpoint a bigger health issue.
You’ll also want to check for missing lumps of hair. Shedding is normal, but it is not normal for a dog to have missing patches of hair. To diagnose the problem, you may need to take your dog to a vet.
Benefits Of Spoodle’s Coat
The primary benefit of the Spoodle’s coat is its low-allergenic properties. The fleece and wool coats are hypoallergenic with proper grooming. Brushing, trimming, and bathing between trips to the professional groomer are guaranteed to minimize shedding and dander.
While the Spoodle is an allergy- and asthma-friendly canine breed, pet dander is still an issue. Danger is the byproduct of skin cells shed by Spoodles and other purebred and mixed breeds. Dog danger is an allergen linked to respiratory allergy and asthma attacks.
The Spoodle’s has a fleece or wool coat of varying textures. The wool coat has thick strands of loose curly hair while the fleece coat has strands of wavy hair. All Spoodle coats require regular clippings by a professional groomer. Spoodles are high-maintenance breeds but with regular grooming, their coats are easier to maintain.
Bathing between trips to the groomer utilizing a natural or organic shampoo and conditioner will make the coat more manageable. Keep the coat perfectly maintained to avoid tangles, knots, and matting. Never let the hair grow longer than normal to avoid matting.
Spoodle dogs require extensive maintenance to keep their coats healthy and to prevent shedding. Combining a healthy diet with proper grooming techniques can make a big difference in terms of shedding frequency. For instance, you should brush your spoodle dog’s coat regularly.
Be sure to pick a suitable brush and try to brush the coat for 5 or 10 minutes at a time. This should be done at least 3 times a week. Your dog should also be taken to a professional vet multiple times yearly.
The groomer will cut the dog’s coat to prevent tangles and other issues.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockapoo
- https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/dog/breed/cockapoo/
- https://doodledoods.com/do-cockapoos-shed/