Do Poodle Puppies Shed?

Poodle is a water-retriever breed that originated in Germany, 400 years ago. Later, it got intense popularity in France and became the national dog breed there. There are three main types of Poodles based on their size (standard poodle, miniature poodle, and toy poodle). All of them have dense and curly coats with a coarse texture. Keep reading to know whether poodle puppies shed or not.

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Are Poodles Heavy Shedders?

There is no such dog breed that doesn’t shed and Poodles also shed. However, some dog breeds shed less than others and are preferred by owners. Poodles have earned the reputation of being hypoallergenic because they shed less hair.

In addition to that, their curly coat and its rough texture don’t allow fur to fall out. Hence, the broken hair can be conveniently removed by brushing. This reduces the mess of hair around your home that is common with some other breeds. People who have pet allergies also prefer poodles due to this reason. Therefore, these pups have been extremely popular for the past few decades.

Causes of Shedding in Poodles

Before moving to the causes, we should understand how poodles shed less than other breeds. Poodles have a single undercoat that is dense and curly. It ensures relatively low shedding because canines with undercoats can lose more hair. This is because the undercoats of double-coated dogs go through heavy seasonal shedding along with normal shedding.

However, there are certain skin disorders or ailments that can cause low shedding dogs, like poodles, to shed more. They include skin infections, inflammatory diseases, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies. Below are some of the reasons that can cause abnormal shedding among poodles.

Allergies – Your Poodle might be hypersensitive to certain shampoos, food additives, or chemicals found in canine drugs. Reactions caused by such elements can pose severe irritation and itching. This makes your pup scratch his skin so harshly that scabs form and hair are lost.    

Castration responsive Dermatosis – This is a common hair loss problem among male poodle puppies. It usually begins from the groin area and spreads throughout the body.

Red Mange – It is an allergic reaction that occurs due to the microscopic mites present on a dog’s skin. It appears in the form of hairless patches on the dog’s body. 

Sebaceous Adenitis – It is a severe genetic disorder that can make your dog’s hair fall out completely.

How to Deal with a Poodle Puppy’s Shedding?

Here are some remedial measures that can help you fight against your poodle puppy’s shedding.

Brushing

Brushing is the key to dealing with problems, like matted hair and tangles. Hence, you must brush your poodle pup at least 2-3 times a week. Brushing helps to stimulate natural oils that are present on the dog’s skin. It also regulates the blood supply to the glands on your poodle’s skin.

These factors ensure an overall healthy skin and coat. It’s better to pen down a brushing schedule that you will follow through every week. Moreover, brushing activity should start at your pup’s early age to make him used to it.

Bathing

While brushing eases out the tangles and matted hair, bathing plays its role in removing any sort of dust, dirt, and debris from your dog’s hair. You can also use special shampoos and conditioners that are designed for the skin and coat of canines. They keep the hair of your pooch smooth and curly. Bathing your pup once a month is enough for most poodles.  

Diet

Nutritional deficiency can also cause excessive shedding in dogs. Therefore, you must ensure that your pup is getting the right balance of protein, vitamins, and fatty acids in its diet. There are many high-quality dry foods and you should consult your veterinarian to find the right product. In this way, you can minimize the chances of triggering your pup’s allergies.

Supplements

Supplements can also help in meeting the nutritional needs of your pup. Flax seeds and omega-3 fatty acids are vital for keeping the coat of your poodle healthy. You can also consider giving fish to your pup in a calculated amount to fulfill his/her fatty acid requirements.  

Popular Haircuts for Poodle Puppies

Poodle cuts are the most luxurious aspect of owning a poodle. These dogs were the pride of French circuses and have a long history of unusual hairstyles that could mesmerize everyone. Hence, you have a plethora of poodle cuts to choose from. Some of the most popular ones are listed below.

Puppy Clip – This is a simple cutting style that owners like for small puppies. Body hairs are trimmed using scissors while the hair on the head, tail, and paws are roughly shaved.

Sporting clip – It resembles closely to puppy clip. All the areas of shaving and trimming are the same, but a pomp is left on the tail. Some owners also like to leave a puff on the head.

Continental clip – This cutting style is more on the fancier side. Hairs on certain areas of the body are shaved very closely, while others are left very long and fluffy. There are pomps near paws, hips and on the tail.

English Saddle Clip – It is like the continental cut except that more areas of the body are shaped. The shaving is also a little less close.

Asian style – This is the most loved poodle cut among cynophilists. It enhances your toy poodle’s cuteness by making him look like a teddy bear or an anime character.