Do Border Terriers Shed?

Let’s face it; no one wants a dog that is going to shed all over the place.

However, at the same time, we also don’t want a dog that doesn’t shed at all because that means there is something wrong with its coat.

Talking of shedding, how do Border Terriers rate in this department?

Do they shed a lot?

Do they not shed at all?

Let’s take a look.

Do border terriers shed?

Yes, the border terriers are low shedders.

They shed too little that you will hardly notice.

For this reason, the border terriers are hypoallergenic, meaning they are a good breed for people allergic to dog fur.

The border terriers make great family dogs with a big personality, great attitude and intelligence; they are good company.

Read on to learn how much they shed and how to care for them to tame the shedding.

Do Border Terriers Shed?

How Much Do Border Terriers Shed?

The border terrier has a thick undercoat and a wiry outer coat.

It will shed minimally throughout the year; however, when the seasons change, they will shed moderately.

This means you will have to groom them much more during the spring and fall to avoid fur lying around in your house.

The border terrier is a low shedder, and you can compare it to the Norfolk terrier, who are also low shedders.

During the seasonal changes, the border terriers don’t shed too much like other breeds, such as the German Shepherds.

You will, however, notice a bit of molting for around a fortnight which is the normal reaction of the border terrier to climatic changes.

Border Terriers Shedding

Grooming the Border Terrier to Control Shedding

To control shedding in the borders, you need to ensure a proper diet and best practices regarding grooming.

Given that the borders have two coats grooming them may not be a walk in the park.

The main things to consider when grooming are 

  • Brushing 
  • Bathing
  • Stripping
  • Clipping

Brushing

To brush the border terrier, you need the right tools and also do it oftenly for optimal results.

Here are tools that work well  when brushing a border terrier:

  • Slicker 
  • Bristle
  • Metal comb
  • Pin brushes
  • Curry brushes

A slicker brush works best on the border terrier as its thin bristles can penetrate the inner coat and remove any tangles and mats on the dog.

You need to brush the border to prevent the mats from forming regularly.

In addition, it allows the skin to produce new hairs and saturate the skin oils for a healthier coat.

Don’t let a whole week pass without brushing the border.

When brushing, use the comb with fine bristles for the face and the slicker brush for the other body parts.

Ensure you brush in the direction of the fur to avoid hurting your dog by going against the tide.

Start from the neck, shoulders, back, underbelly, and legs.

Be keen and gentle as you brush the face so the border can cooperate.

Bathing

The border terriers do not require too much bathing.

Regular brushing means the dog should be fine unless they look extremely dirty or gross.

Border terriers are clean dogs because the coat is good at repulsing dirt, and you don’t want to interfere with the distribution of healthy oils on the skin. 

When the need arises, here is how to bath a border terrier:

  • Have your water ready at room temperature
  • Lather the dog’s entire body with shampoo
  • Rinse with clean water till you get all the shampoo off
  • Dry the dog up entirely
  • Blow-dry the dog at the lowest setting. Do it at a distance so you don’t harm the dog.

Your dog is now sparkling and looking all freshened up.

Stripping

Twice a year are enough times to strip your border terrier.

Stripping helps get rid of all the dead hair hidden under the top coat, mats and tangles. 

Allow a professional dog groomer to handle the stripping since they have the right tools and know-how to do it without hurting the dog.

Hand stripping is also an option, but you need to be careful, so you don’t hurt the dog.

As a beginner, the exercise should take half an hour to one hour.

A stripping knife will also come in handy if you strip the dog yourself.

Clipping

Some border terrier owners debate between clipping and stripping, which one has better results at controlling shedding.

Well, clipping minimizes shedding but not entirely as stripping does since it shortens the hairs instead of removing them.

Use the right dog clippers to handle the exercise or consult a skilled groomer to assist you in the exercise.

All these are grooming exercises you can carry out on your border terrier to keep the shedding at a minimum.

What Would Make a Border Terrier Shed Excessively?

Border terriers are considered light shedders unless it’s during the seasonal shedding where the rate increases. 

If you notice the border shedding more than expected, there could be a bigger problem.

Some possible causes include:

  • Poor dieting
  • Parasites such as fleas and lice
  • Skin ailments
  • Allergic reaction
  • Pregnancy
  • Lactating dogs

If you can’t tell the cause of excessive shedding, get the dog to the vet as soon as possible for a check-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start stripping my puppy?

From 13 to 14 weeks, you can hand strip your puppy.

Although the height of the coat may vary from one dog to the other, that’s a perfect age for thorough grooming and stripping.

Teaching your puppy stripping, bathing and overall grooming at a young age makes them more cooperative as they grow.

Are Border Terriers hypoallergenic?

Yes, the border terriers are considered hypoallergenic since they lose minimal hair and even during the seasonal shedding time, they don’t lose much hair.

This makes them a preferable breed for those allergic to dog hair.

Conclusion

Border terriers have the best temperaments; they are calm, intelligent, quiet and friendly, all the traits one admires in a pet.

They easily adapt to family life and possess enough energy for a good chase and exercising.

To top it all, they are light shedders.

What more could you ask for in a dog?

Treat a border terrier well, and your home will be warm and hospitable.

Megan Turner

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