Described as exuberant, active, bright and fierce protectors, you will quickly fall for this dog breed.
However, just as with all dog breeds, it’s essential to know about their shedding patterns before bringing one home.
It will be best to pump the brakes with the down payment and scroll down this article first.
So, do rottweilers shed a lot?
Compared to German shepherds and St. Bernard’s, rottweilers shed moderately throughout the year but considerably more during specific periods.
The increase in shedding prepares them for the coming seasons of summer and winter.
This article deep dives into the type of coat rottweilers have, the shedding period, other reasons why they shed, and how to reduce excessive shedding in the dogs.
Rottweilers coat type
Rottweilers have a double coat that’s straight, coarse and thick, regardless of the length.
The outer coat will vary and oscillate between short or medium sizes.
It is shorter on the head, ears, and legs.
The outer coat is usually straight or wavy, though some rottweilers may have a curly hair texture on their back hunches.
The undercoat is found mainly on the neck and thighs and is thick.
The amount of undercoat your rottweiler has depends on where he lives.
The presence of double coats make rottweillers blow their coats twice per year.
The outer coat is black with tan markings appearing on top of the eyes, the cheeks, each side of the muzzle, the chest, legs and beneath the tail.
Which periods do rottweilers shed heavily?
Although they shed moderately throughout the year, rottweilers tend to shed a lot during the molting season, which falls in spring and winter.
This is a natural process that they must undergo to get rid of old or damaged hair in their undercoat.
A new thick undercoat grows as the winter season progresses, pushing out older hair to protect against the cold.
During spring, your rottweiler will lose the coat for better body temperature regulation during summertime.
The molting season for rottweilers tends to last between three to four weeks.
Other reasons why rottweilers shed
Apart from the heavy seasonal shedding, rottweilers can also shed due to several different reasons that include:
Poor nutrition – An imbalanced diet, one not containing protein or fat, will lead to dull, dry, and brittle hair coat on a rottweiler as it does not meet its dietary needs. Dehydration also contributes to excessive shedding.
Parasites – Fleas, ticks, and termites irritate your rottweiler’s skin, causing it to scratch or bite the area for relief, leading to excessive shedding.
Allergic reaction – Rottweilers can shed due to an allergic reaction to a medicine, pollen in the air, and food such as dairy or wheat. The allergic reaction will cause the dog to scratch or bite its skin.
Pregnancy – The female rottweiler will shed excessively during pregnancy due to the shortage of essential minerals needed to maintain a healthy coat.
Serious illness – Kidney or liver diseases, cancer, and immune diseases will cause unhealthy coat shedding in your rottweiler.
How to reduce shedding in a rottweiler
Brushing
Brush your rottweiler weekly. Regular brushing will be essential in maintaining the coat.
During their molting season, spring and summer, brushing 2 – 3 times per week will be appropriate to help keep their fur under control.
Type of brush to use in brushing a rottweiler
Pin brush -They will work well on the long outer coat. The brushes will remove the bulk of dead on the coat and distribute skin oils. Choose a brush with wide, stiff and long bristles to ensure thorough brushing.
De-shedding tool – It will be the best choice for the rottweiler undercoat to remove the fur that falls off as the seasons change. A de-shedding tool will be used two or three times per year and helps with the fur that appears to be molting, dropping everywhere during the shedding season.
Before brushing your rottweiler, mist its coat with a conditioning spray to reduce static and prevent the hairs from breaking off.
Use an anti-tangle spray on the outer coat first, then run your fingers through until you can comb the hair smoothly.
Balanced diet
A healthy diet will play a significant role in maintaining a rottweiler’s coat.
When essential minerals and vitamins are missing from the dog’s diet, it will cause shedding.
Ensure you feed your rottweiler foods rich in omega fatty acids, biotin, vitamin B2, zinc, and copper.
Such foods include eggs, almonds, chia seeds, liver, salmon, peanut butter, and apples.
Fish oil supplements are also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 and have anti-inflammatory properties that promote soft, silky coats in dogs.
Regular water intake
If your rottweiler is in its shedding period, ensure you increase the amount of water it drinks.
Dehydrated skin causes significant hair loss.
Frequent bathing
Bathing your rottweiler will help remove dead hair and prevent it from mixing with healthy hair.
The dog shampoos and conditioners contain omega fatty acids that will hydrate your dog’s coat and promote healthy, strong follicles.
The shampoo and conditioners also loosen the bearded collie’s undercoat, making it easy to remove during brushing.
Tips to consider when your rottweiler sheds
Use a shampoo and conditioner that doesn’t contain artificial fragrances as they can irritate the rottweiler’s eyes and skin.
During bathing, the shampoo and conditioner you use on your rottweiler should have ingredients like oatmeal, aloe vera, herbal proteins, vitamins, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids to help maintain a healthy coat.
Balance all the meals that you intend to feed your rottweiler. Ensure they get their daily dose of omega fatty acids, riboflavin, and vitamin B2 by mixing different food rich in essential vitamins to promote a shiny and healthy coat.
Brush your rottweiler before giving it a bath to help reduce any tangles on its coat.
If your rottweiler is shedding more than expected or has unusual patches on its coat, visit your vet immediately.
Bathe your rottweiler no more than two times per month.
Excessive shedding of the rottweilers will dry out their skin by removing natural oils.
Can I shave my rottweiler?
No, you cannot shave your rottweiler as you will be disturbing the protection the double-layered coat is meant to offer.
To wrap up
A rottweiler will shed heavily during its molting season, but moderate shedding will happen during other times of the year.
If you’ve decided to welcome a rottweiler into your home through adopting or buying, ensure you maintain its coat well by bathing, brushing, and giving the dog a balanced diet and enough water.
Constant vacuuming will be part of your routine too, but the love and companionship your rottweiler will give in return will be worth the hustle?
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.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
