If you are thinking of bringing into your life a gorgeous Rottweiler, you might be wondering just how much he can shed. Shedding is a natural process for most dogs, but it can be hard to handle for some people. Having hairs and fluff flying around the house might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Rottweilers are among the dog breeds that shed and are considered medium shedders. This means they will lose part of their coat twice a year (in spring and in autumn). During the rest of the year they will continue to lose hair, but not as much. Brushing your Rottie regularly will help you get through the shedding periods without too much stress.
In this article, we will see in detail why Rottweilers shed mostly during specific months and we will give you some tips on how to take care of their coats. By the end of this post, you will be able to decide if a Rottie is the right dog for you and your family.
Do Rottweilers Shed Heavily?
Rottweilers do shed quite a bit. On a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is the non-shedding poodle and 10 is the heavy-shedding Samoyed, Rotties would be a 7. This means that you won’t be completely smothered in hairs like a Husky owner, but you won’t be laughing too much either.
From November to February and from June to August you can expect moderate shedding that can be easily managed. Brushing you Rottweiler once a week during these months will be enough to remove the hairs and keep his coat looking good.
From March to May and from September to November the situation you will have to deal with will be quite different. During the spring months, a Rottie will lose all of his undercoat so that he will be ready for the heat of summer. This period will be the most difficult one to put up with. It will be a constant battle between you and the fluff. The odds of you winning are slim.
In Autumn, your Rottie will shed again to get rid of the light summer undercoat and put on a thick winter one. The reason why this time will be slightly more manageable than in spring is that the hairs your dog will lose are less woolly. They won’t aggregate in a ball as much and will stick to your clothes a bit less.
Do Rottweilers Have 2 Coats?
Yes, Rottweilers have 2 coats, just like many other dog breeds such as Huskies, Samoyeds, Border Collies, etc. This means they have an undercoat and a topcoat. The undercoat is usually similar to wool and protects from the cold. The topcoat is made of longer straight hairs, that act as a protective shield for the dog’s body.
During the shedding seasons, Rottweilers will lose the undercoat. They will put on a heavy undercoat in winter and a lighter one in summer. Most dog breeds that originated in countries where winters are harsh have a double layer coat. Rottweilers make no exception, coming from the very cold region of Rottweil, in Germany.
Are Rottweilers High Maintenance?
Rottweilers cannot be considered high maintenance dogs, but at the same time, you shouldn’t consider them low maintenance either. Their coat doesn’t require the same attention as the one of a Husky or a Malamute. Nonetheless, they do have a double-layer coat that sheds twice a year and needs to be brushed regularly.
Some people think that Rotties are low maintenance because they have a short coat that more or less can take care of itself. This is an erroneous assumption that can make you underestimate the time you will need to dedicate to your Rottie.
Taking Care Of Your Rottweiler’s Coat
Brushing your Rottie is very important to keep his coat healthy and looking great. During the non-shedding seasons, you should brush your pooch at least once a week. In spring and in autumn, when you can expect the proper shedding to happen, the brushing sessions should take place at least 3 times a week.
By doing this, you will prevent having fluff flying all over the place and you will also help your Rottie get ready for the next season. Luckily, Rottweilers don’t develop mats and knots on their coats, so if you forget once in a while to brush them, nothing major will happen. Nonetheless, being consistent with the brushing will make life with a Rottie much easier.
The Right Tools For Brushing A Rottweiler
When it comes to having the right tools for your Rottie’s coat, a slicker brush is an absolute must. This brush is made of metal bristles that are able to easily remove the undercoat of your dog. Just remember to get one that has tips on the top of the bristles so that he won’t get scratched.
A standard plastic brush won’t have the same effect on your Rottie’s coat, because it wouldn’t catch all of the hairs. A stainless steel comb is instead another good tool to have. It can be used on the entire body of the dog to soften the undercoat. This way, it will be much easier to subsequently remove the hairs with the slicker.
You should brush your Rottweiler on the entire body following one direction and then the opposite one. The more the undercoat gets moved around, the easier it will be to remove the hairs. Ideally, you should brush all of your dog’s coat 3 times per session. This way you’ll be able to get rid of most of your pooch’s dead hairs.
Other Causes Of Shedding
As we said before, shedding is an absolutely normal and healthy process for a Rottweiler. Getting rid of the winter undercoat before the summer comes is extremely important. This way a Rottie won’t suffer the high temperatures as much and will be less prone to heat strokes.
Losing the light summer undercoat and putting on the thick and warm winter one, is also
1. Estrous Cycle
Female Rottweilers usually shed more than males. This is even more so if they haven’t been neutered and have a regular estrous cycle. These dogs will typically lose most of their coat after every cycle. You have nothing to worry if you see your Rottie losing a lot of hair after she has gone into heat. She will put on a brand new coat in just some weeks.
Even giving birth will most likely make a Rottweiler shed. The hormonal imbalance will make her lose most of her hair, but even in this case, you shouldn’t worry. In specific cases, the vet can prescribe supplements that can help her regain her coat.
2. Growing Up
Rottweilers will start losing their puppy coat when they are about 5 months old. It can take them up to 6 months to get their adults coat. During this period you can expect to find quite a few hairs around the house, but it should be absolutely manageable. After all, he is only still a puppy.
3. Malnutrition
Malnutrition can cause a Rottweiler to shed. It is important that your dog gets all the nutrients he needs from the food he eats. You should only buy premium food for your dog. Even if it costs a bit more it will avoid many trips to the vet and keep your pooch healthy. If you think your dog may be sugìffering from malnutrition take him for a check-up and change his diet as soon as possible.
When Should you Wash a Rottweiler?
If you brush your Rottie regularly, you won’t need to bathe him very often. The fact that he has a short coat also helps in keeping him nice and clean. You can take him to be washed once every 2 or 3 months. It is usually not recommended to wash a Rottweiler more than once a month.
Every time a dog has a bath, the products that are used to cleanse him remove the natural oils on his skin. These oils are an important protection against bacteria and infections. Without them, a dog can develop dermatitis and other skin conditions that can require more than one trip to the vet.
People With Allergies
If you suffer from allergies, a Rottweiler is probably not the right choice for you. They are not a hypoallergic breed and they shed quite a bit. The allergic reactions are usually caused by the dander that is on the skin of the dog. A dog that sheds will inevitably make the dander fly around the house.
A Maltese or a Poodle could be good alternatives for people who have allergies. They shed near to nothing and usually don’t give allergic reactions. In any case, if you suffer from allergies you should spend some time with the dog you think you want before adopting it. It would be a real pity if you take him home only to realize you two are not compatible.
