How much hair do labradors have? An expert explains! (Counselor)

Admittedly, every dog ​​owner swears by their bones that their four-legged friend is the hairiest in the whole world.

Even with Labradors, the coat change is not without.

In this article you will find out what owners have to be prepared for, what grooming a Labrador needs and why your Labrador sheds so much hair.

In a nutshell: How much do Labradors shed?

Labradors do not shed more than other breeds, twice a year during the spring and fall moults.

However, since they still have undercoat underneath their smooth coat, it still seems like a tremendous amount of lost fur.

But only if they have parasites, suffer from a skin or autoimmune disease, or are malnourished is excessive hair loss a concern.

When do Labradors shed particularly heavily?

Like most breeds, Labradors do change of fur twice a year through.

Then in spring they shed the denser fur that kept them warm in the snow, and in the fall the short summer fur that kept them from overheating.

Labradors have a so-called undercoat under the smooth, short fur. This is a fur with a very dense structure that keeps you particularly warm.

Because Labradors love to swim and frolic in the water, they also need this undercoat to keep them from freezing, even in cold water.

Their winter fur is therefore very well developed. Losing this by spring can therefore look like having enough fur for a second dog.

How Much Grooming Does a Labrador Need?

Labradors actually have one very easy care fur. Regular combing once a week and bathing as needed is usually enough for him.

Labradors love to play in the water anyway, so they rarely need to bathe to remove loose hair.

But since they also love to wallow in brackish water or mud, most Labradors are frequent bathers.

Why is my Labrador shedding so much?

While shedding is natural, there are a few reasons why a Labrador may seem to shed more than usual.

But often this is only your impression, while the amount of hair remains harmless.

Inadequate grooming

Often new owners of Labradors think that because of their short coat they don’t need any grooming.

But if you have your dog not brushing enoughhis loose hair just falls out of his fur or is scattered around the apartment when he scratches.

By brushing, you remove this hair and thus ensure significantly less hair in your home.

light fur

Light-coated Labradors do not have more hair than dark-coated Labradors, but these are much more noticeable.

You probably know this from your sweaters or shirts, on which you always find light-colored dog hair. Dark hair, on the other hand, is less noticeable.

Natural coat change

Twice a year the vacuum cleaner is your best friend. Changing the coat is all the rage and your Labrador has a lot to lose.

In spring, the change of fur usually seems particularly strong to you, since the dense winter fur is dropped.

However, the shedding is completely natural and unfortunately there is no way to prevent shedding.

hair loss in old age

Dogs can too suffer from hair loss in old age and form whole bald patches in the fur.

That’s not too bad, even if it looks ugly.

But you should make sure that your dog not cold and the Skin always well creamed is. Because the fur also has the task of protecting the skin.

Can excessive hair be caused by illness?

In fact, some diseases can also have increased hair loss as a symptom.

These are also quite serious and always need to be treated.

parasite infestation

When a parasite infestation occurs, your dog’s skin is usually very itchy. Due to the excessive scratching, he also pulls out his hair and spreads it around the apartment.

In addition, severe infestation can also lead to a undersupply come with the most important nutrients, as these are parasitized by the parasites.

This too can cause hair loss because that fur becomes brittle.

The most common parasite infestation that leads to hair loss is mange. This is a disease caused by mites.

skin disease

One flaky, dry skin or eczema that has already formed can lead to hair loss.

Here, too, your dog tears its hair out when scratching. The skin is often too damaged to support a healthy coat.

Skin problems are usually caused by a skin fungus or an allergic reaction.

autoimmune disease

In an autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks its own cells, mistaking them for foreign bodies.

A common symptom of this is hair loss because the body needs a lot of energy and nutrients misguided immune response used.

An autoimmune disease cannot be cured, but can usually be treated well with medication.

malnutrition

Even the fur needs sufficient vitamins and mineralsto carry out his duties.

With malnutrition, which can have many causes, the coat becomes dull and brittle until it finally falls out.

What can I do about excessive hair?

The hair in the apartment and on your sweater and actually everywhere is very annoying.

Therefore, here are some tips on how to get excess hair under control.

Good grooming

You should see your labrador brush at least once a week.

take one for that nub brush or one knobbed glove. Sharp-toothed combs and wire brushes are not suitable for the coat texture.

Bathing is only on the schedule for your dog when needed. Only use one little special dog shampoo and above all, hold on clear water.

DeShedding Tools

There are many deshedding tools on the market that are good for removing loose undercoat.

You should have such tools though don’t use too oftenas it can also pull top hair with it.

If your dog has skin problems, you should also avoid it altogether.

Conclusion

Labradors don’t shed any more than other breeds, but they shed a surprising amount.

With good grooming and a healthy dog, this is not a cause for concern, but can be managed well.

Do you also have a sheer fur blast twice a year? What’s your secret trick to getting rid of dog hair on all your sweaters? Tell us about it in the comments!