Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Dr. Julie
Rottweilers have a thick coat, dropping hair everywhere, begging the question: why does my Rottweiler shed so much? These beautiful dogs really do shed a lot, which is a completely natural process of renewing their coat. However, if it represents a problem for you, there are a few things you can do to make it easier!
Table of Contents
Why Does My Rottweiler Shed So Much?
Shedding is a completely natural process and almost all dogs shed. Some dogs lose less hair, with other dogs losing so much you could sew it into a coat if you collected it all. However, Rottweilers are known for shedding a lot of their coat. It’s typical of them to shed on a seasonal basis – this is when they lose a lot of hair at once. They also shed throughout the year in smaller amounts. However, it’s possible for your dog to shed even more than that.
There are various things that can cause shedding in excess: medical issues, an unhealthy diet, fleas and pests, allergies, and anxiety.
If you believe that your dog is shedding excessively, we recommend that you take them for a visit to the vet. That way, you’ll easily determine exactly what the problem is.
A Rottweiler’s Coat
However, it’s important to understand that looks can be deceiving. Rottweilers look very smooth because of their coat. They’re actually double-coated, but most people don’t expect that, since their muscles are so visible under their coat. Because of their double coat and the sheer amount of hair, it’s common for them to lose a lot of hair.
These beautiful dogs developed this thick double coat because of their place of origin. Even though the original Roman Rottweiler is the descendant of Mastiffs, it finally settled in Germany. There, it experienced cold temperatures and adapted itself by developing the thick double coat. This way, the Rottweiler can keep itself warm even in the harshest of winter conditions. When they shed, they have to shed both of these layers, which is why there’s so much hair!
Unnatural Reasons For Shedding
The most likely reason your Rottweiler sheds in excess is a health problem! Even though these aren’t common, it’s possible that your dog is suffering from an illness, pests, or something else that might be propagating shedding!
Anxiety
As we’ve already said, anxiety is a common cause. Dogs can get anxious for a variety of reasons – maybe you moved to a new place and your pup is settling in, or maybe it doesn’t like something in the air. Whatever it is, anxiety can have other symptoms – your dog can become agitated more easily, it’s panting more and it can never seem to calm down.
The best way to solve this problem is to remove whatever is making your dog nervous. Sometimes, however, the only thing that can help is time.
Unhealthy Diet
It’s important for a dog to have a healthy and balanced diet, just as it’s important for humans. Excessive shedding in dogs can be exacerbated by a bad diet. Firstly, it’s possible that your dog is allergic to an ingredient. Additionally, it’s possible that the food simply isn’t good and your dog isn’t getting all the nutrients it needs! If this is the case, you might want to consider a diet change!
Hormones
Issues with hormones are much more likely to occur in pregnant dogs. If this is the case, your Rottweiler might be shedding in excess because of a hormonal imbalance! It’s best to seek advice from your vet, as dealing with hormones is touchy and you need to approach that problem with care!
Pests
Fleas can be a common reason for your Rottweiler shedding in excess. This is more likely to happen during the summer when these pests are more active. They can also trigger an allergic reaction, causing the shedding to intensify!
Excessive washing and allergic reactions to various shampoos can also be the cause. Then there’s the idea of an illness. Even though this is something we fear the most as dog owners, it’s a possibility. It’s best to take your dog to the vet and let them define exactly what’s wrong!
How To Stop Your Rottweiler From Shedding
We’re going to have to disappoint you and say that there’s no chance on Earth that you can stop your Rottweiler from shedding completely. However, it is possible to lower the intensity of shedding and ensure that there’s less hair around!
Don’t Bathe Your Dog Too Often
Veterinarians suggest that bathing your Rottweiler too often causes a reaction which causes them to shed. This breed shouldn’t be bathed more than once a month. There are many owners who bathe them even less than that.
Brush Your Dog
This is probably the best piece of advice we can give you. Once the shedding season starts, and this will happen more than once a year, use a brush to take off all the excess hair before it starts falling off naturally! There are also de-shedding brushes which are made precisely for that job. This way, you’ll get ahead of the problem and take all the hair away!
Learn more about: How Much Do Rottweilers Shed? A Very Hairy Guide
Take Your Dog To The Vet
We can’t stress just how important this is. If your dog is having issues with an allergic reaction, bad died or fleas – the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with the vet. That way, they can determine exactly what’s wrong and deal with it properly!
In conclusion, your Rottweiler probably isn’t over-shedding, but shedding regularly. It’s just that these dogs have two layers of coat, so they shed twice as much. If you do believe that your dog is shedding too much, it’s possible that it’s suffering from some sort of medical problem. Anxiety, stress, an unhealthy diet, pests, illnesses, and overbathing are all possible reasons for your dog’s shedding too much. The best solution to this is regular brushing, and if you really believe that there’s something causing your dog to shed too much – take it to the vet!