The fact that your dog is going to be shedding is just as reliable as the changing of the seasons. However, at times it may seem that your dog is shedding far more than it typically does, but is it true that dogs will shed more at some points of the year than others?
Dogs do shed more at some points of the year compared to others. During the fall and spring seasons, dogs are more likely to start shedding as they begin to prepare for the hot summer by getting rid of a thick coat or preparing for the cold winter by removing their thinner coat.
However, what month exactly are dogs going to be starting their excessive shedding, and then once they begin excessively shedding, how long are they going to do so? I will answer all of these and give a chart detailing when dogs will start their heavier shedding season in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
What months do dogs shed the most? Chart included
Realistically, it depends on what part of the world you are located in that determines when your dog will start shedding
heavily. This is because cold winter weather is swapped in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Dogs will be shedding the most just after winter ends, as they need to remove their second coat to cool down and prepare for hot summer weather.
This means that your dog will shed the most in the northern hemisphere between March and June. Meanwhile, your dog will shed more than usual in the southern hemisphere from September until December.
However, these are not the only months your dog will shed during, as the fall of each season is also a time when dogs get rid of an old coat and prepare for the next season. So, during the fall season, your dog will be shedding its thin summer coat and start growing its thick winter coat.
Look at the following table to easily see when your dog will shed the most.
| Months | Northern Hemisphere | Southern Hemisphere |
|---|---|---|
| March-June | Spring: Heaviest of the year | Fall: Heavy |
| June-September | Summer: Light | Winter: Light |
| September-December | Fall: Heavy | Spring: Heaviest of the year |
| December-March | Winter: Light | Summer: Light |
How long do shedding seasons last?
So, while I have now explained when you are going to see your dog shed the most, just how long do these heavy shedding periods last?
Well, that heavily depends on the breed of dog that you have.
For larger dog breeds, these periods when they are getting rid of their old coats can last anywhere from 1 to 2 months. Smaller dogs have much less fur to shed, and their excessive shedding period typically lasts only one month.
Excess shedding periods can lead to dog hairballs!
Did you know that dogs can also get hairballs? I had no idea until my dog had one many years ago. I linked a post I wrote below that covers all aspects of dog hairballs and even what to do if they swallow a cat hairball!
Read Now: Dog Hairballs; Are Certain Dogs More Prone? What To Look For
However, most dogs shed year-round, so even when their heavy season for shedding stops, you will still have plenty more shedding to look forward to.
The periods when your dog’s shedding will be at its lowest are in the middle of summer and winter when your dog wants to keep its coat the most.
Do dogs shed all year?
Most dogs that have fur instead of hair shed constantly. However, some dogs like Goldendoodles and Shih Tzus have hair instead of fur, so they don’t shed a lot of hair year-round. They may lose a few hairs daily, but you likely won’t notice them often, even during excessive shedding seasons.
But if your dog is a shedder, you may find that it seems like they shed even more after a bath! In the post I linked below, I wrote all about what causes dogs to shed so much after a bath and helpful tips on how to deal with it.
Read Now: Why Dogs Shed So Much After Bath; Causes, When to Furminate
Dogs that Shed the Most
- Akita: Akitas are large dogs that come from Japan. Since they originate from mountainous regions, they have a thick coat to keep them warm.
- Alaskan Malamute: The Alaskan Malamute, another large northern breed, was bred to haul heavy loads across icy lands in Alaska. They have thick double coats to keep them warm during these ventures. Yet, it produces a lot of loose furs.
- German Shepard: The German Shepherd, one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, sheds almost constantly.
- Chow Chow: It might be no surprise that these Chinese dogs will shed daily, as they’ve got quite a lot of fur! This breed originated from northern China and was used as a guard dog. Unfortunately, they’re not the cuddliest companions. Instead, they’re more independent than other fluffy breeds.
- American Eskimo: Despite the name, American Eskimos originated from northern Europe and are related to the German Spitz. They might be small, but they’re constant shedders.
- Great Pyrenees: These large, beautiful dogs originate from the Pyrenees Mountains of France and Spain, where they are livestock guardians. They’ve developed long, thick coats to protect them from the cold.
- Labrador Retriever: America’s favourite dog, the Labrador Retriever, is also a constant shedder despite its short coat. Since Labrador Retrievers are water lovers, as they are often used to retrieve people and items from the water, they have a thick coat that keeps them warm and dry.
- Siberian Husky: The Siberian Husky is also a very heavy shedder, and it’s no surprise, given they originate from Siberia. These dogs were bred to haul heavy loads across one of the coldest places on earth! I have owned 4 Siberian Huskies over my lifetime, and I can confirm that we got mountains of hair!
- Bernese Mountain Dog: The beautiful tricolour coat of a Bernese Mountain Dog is breathtaking, but you better get used to fur floating around your home, as they shed a lot.
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi: Despite their popularity, these Corgis are on the list of top shedding dog breeds. Cardigan Welsh Corgis are a double-coated breed that sheds year-round.
The post I wrote about dog hair regrowth is linked below. It goes through the different hair regrowth stages, including what happens in shedding seasons!
Read Now: Dog Hair Regrowth; After Shaving, Mange; Including Timeline
Dogs that shed the least
- Afghan Hound. Elegant and dignified with a single layer of long flowing hair that requires much bathing and grooming, these dogs don’t shed much.
- American Hairless Terrier. This hairless breed is a reasonable consideration for people who want an active, trainable, smaller dog with a friendly disposition that doesn’t shed.
- Bedlington Terrier. With the looks of a lamb but the tenacity of a terrier, Bedlington Terriers require consistent grooming to maintain their looks, but they don’t shed.
- Bichon Frise. Personable, energetic, cheerful Bichons need attentive grooming to maintain their crisp white coats.
- Brussels Griffon. The rough-coated version of the Brussels Griffon doesn’t shed and is easy to groom.
I hope this information has been useful to you!
Have a great day,
Holly 🙂