Do GSP Shed?

The German Shepherd Pointers are among the most friendly breeds you could have.

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They are good-looking, love playing, and make great companions.

They are also good with children and make great hunters.

Do GSP shed?

Yes, GSP is a moderate shedder.

Although they don’t have long coats, you will spot some hairs on your fabrics once in a while.

However, it’s hard to notice as they shed like most short-haired dogs.

The main problem with a GSP shedding is that removing the short hairs from your carpet and fabrics may take more time and effort.

The GSP is a playful and versatile dog that will be all over your house when allowed.

Unfortunately, when the time to shed comes, you may spot hairs all over your fixtures.

Read on to find out to what extent the GSPs shed.

How is a German Shorthaired Pointer’s Coat?

A dog’s coat is key when analyzing its shedding frequency.

Different dog breeds have different types of coats, and this influences their shedding patterns.

A GSP has a rough short coat on the entire body except around the head and ears, where it gets smoother.

The colors of the GSP coat are mostly brown, black and white.

It’s important to note your dog’s hair color to be sure it’s not your visiting neighbor’s dog when it sheds.

A GSP coat is patched or roan, so it’s easy to identify.

GSP also have a double coat which helps make them warmer.

The undercoat is waterproof, which helps the dog remain warm during the winter season.

In addition, a double coat influences the extent to which the dog will shed during certain seasons, such as spring and autumn.

To What Extent Do the GSP Shed?

Some people assume that shorthaired dogs don’t shed, which is wrong because almost all dogs shed.

The difference is how much each breed sheds.

The GSP is a moderate shedder in that you’ll hardly notice.

Mostly you’ll spot some hairs on the carpet and realize, oh!

It’s shedding time.

What Factors Influence Shedding for the GSP?

Several aspects influence how much the GSP will shed:

Climate

The GSP shedding pattern is, to an extent, influenced by the prevailing climatic conditions.

For example, your GSP doesn’t need so much coat to remain warm during the summer, so they get rid of the extra hair.

During cold seasons, the dog needs to keep themselves warm, which means they won’t shed but will grow a new coat.

Hormonal Changes

Like humans, dogs are prone to hormonal imbalances that influence how their bodies behave during certain times.

For instance, the female dog sheds more once done with the heat cycle and after birth.

Diet

A poor diet for the GSP is a prerequisite for excessive shedding.

Ensure you have more proteins and vitamins in your dog’s diet instead of feeding them junk human food that could result in excessive shedding.

A poor diet will make the GSP less vibrant and unhappy, leading to stress-caused shedding.

Over-Grooming

Grooming is critical in keeping the shedding in check; however, overdoing it could counter those benefits.

Bathing the GSP too often means you are constantly brushing off old hairs, which the dog’s body interprets as a custom.

It becomes like a pattern where any new hair that grows means shedding the old, which ideally should not be the case.

If you are not keen and use low-quality shampoo, you will trigger the shedding.

In addition, some oils used in the grooming process could activate more shedding.

The GSP is a clean dog, and you can bathe her between two to six weeks.

Parasites

The GSP, like any other dog, detests parasites on their body.

This includes fleas, ticks and even internal ones like worms.

These parasites make the dog’s skin irritable forcing the GSP to constantly scratch and itch.

The more they self-groom, the more they will shed.

How to Groom the GSP to Avoid Overshedding

The GSP is a fairly clean dog, and grooming it is easy.

All you need is to get armed with the right tools.

Ensure you properly schedule the exercise to avoid overdoing it, triggering more shedding.

The tools you need to groom the GSP include:

Dog shampoo
Bristle brush
Soft comb
Conditioner
Rubber mitt for the hand

Ensure the brush you use is the bristle type to smoothen the coat easily.

A fine-tooth comb works perfectly on the GSP in that it’s able to penetrate through the short hairs and remove old tangled hair.

Get a quality dog shampoo that will make your grooming exercise easier.

You will need a conditioner to help retain a healthy coat by preventing drying out.

To groom the GSP, first, wash her with the shampooed water, then brush.

Don’t blow dry as her hairs are short, and she may get uncomfortable.

You can take up to 4 weeks between thorough baths, but you need to brush the GSP more often.

This helps control the shedding and spread the natural oils across the entire body coat to make it healthy.

If you don’t feel comfortable grooming your GSP, you can always get a professional to handle it.

Ensure that the tools they use on the dog are the right ones.

In addition to proper and regular grooming, ensure you keep the GSP well hydrated.

Conclusion

The German Shepherd pointer breed sheds, and although it’s among the average shedders, you need to monitor the shedding pattern to control it and avoid having hair all over your fabrics.

Controlling shedding comes down to two aspects, proper diet and regular grooming.

Get a professional groomer to train you to clean and maintain a short-haired dog breed.

It will make your work easier, and the dog will always have a healthy coat.

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Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

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