Many dog owners who purchase a Goldendoodle do so because they believe that Goldendoodles are non shedding. What dog owners do not understand is that Goldendoodles and all dogs shed some amount of fur. There is no dog that is truly non shedding. However, it is worthwhile to note that some Goldendoodles will shed more than other Goldendoodles depending on the amount of Golden Retriever genetics they receive as compared to the amount of Poodle genetics. Naturally, if your Goldendoodle shedding is getting out of control, it may raise alot of questions.
If you are thinking of getting a Goldendoodle, you should remember that there is no guarantee that this dog breed will never shed. There are several new Goldendoodle owners that are shocked to see fur all over their household and all over their clothing as soon as they bring their dog home. So, why is my Goldendoodle shedding and what can I do about it?
Why is your Goldendoodle Shedding?
Your Goldendoodle is shedding because it received Goldendoodle Retriever genetics rather than the non-shedding Poodle genetics. Goldendoodle shedding highly depends on the Goldendoodle generation that you purchased. I wrote an in-depth information about the different Goldendoodle Generations that you can read to find a Goldendoodle Generation that is less likely to shed.
In general, it’s likely that you purchased an F1, F2, or F3 Goldendoodle generation which is 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle. The F1, F2, or F3 Goldendoodle Generation is more prone to shedding because your dog may inherit some Golden Retriever genes which includes shedding. Sometimes it’s difficult to know which generation of Goldendoodle you’re getting so excess shedding may be common. In addition, there is also several genetic mutations that can lead to excess shedding, which is quite common in cross breed dogs like the Goldendoodle.
Fun fact, Goldendoodles may be considered hypoallergenic, but that does not mean that they will never shed.
How to Stop Goldendoodle Shedding?
First of all, if your Goldendoodle is shedding, do not panic. A majority of all the dog breeds in the world shed fur. In fact, most dog breeds develop thick coats in the winter and shed them as temperatures rise in the springtime. This is normal. The steps below will help to minimize the amount of hair shed from a Goldendoodle.
Consistently Brush Your Goldendoodle
- GROOMERS MIRACLE BRUSH - Best slicker brush for removing matts, fluffing and brushing your dog. A fantastic de-shedding tool Premium “comfort glide” pins will not scratch your dog. 30% more pins than other premium brands this brush does more work with less effort. Ergonomic handle with fantastic comfort grip. Will not slip out of your hand. Makes grooming easier for both home groomers and salon groomers alike.
- GROOMGRIP - The unique GroomGrip rubber coating is great for using in the bath to prevent the brush from slipping in your hands and its ergonomic handle will help prevent brushing fatigue.
Ensure that you are regularly brushing your Goldendoodle at least every couple of days. It’s worthwhile to invest in the Furminator Deshedding Tool as this is by far the best deshedding tool on the market. In addition, make sure that you invest in a good brushing tool like the Hertzko Brush. These tools are inexpensive considering that you will be using them very frequently. Even if you had a Goldendoodle that didn’t shed hair, you would still be brushing them every day to prevent mattes.
In general, the most recommended daily brush for Goldendoodle related breeds is called slicker brushes. Slicker brushes have many dense flexible metal pins that do an excellent job collecting excess hair.
Ensure Proper Nutrition
Excessive Goldendoodle shedding can sometimes be prevented with proper nutrition. Your Goldendoodle’s skin and coat is a direct reflection of the nutrients that they are eating. Many veterinarians have long believed that Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to a healthy coat and are part of a good solution. Consider purchasing Omega 3 soft chews for your dog to limit the amount of fur that is shed.
Another key product to consider is methylsulfonylmethane which is also called MSM. Many dog professionals highly believe in the Nutramax MSM which has over 4.5 stars and over 4,000 reviews. MSM is a sulfur that provides collagen and keratin for your skin to ensure your dogs skin integrity. In addition, MSM eliminates skin damage by promoting glutathione production.
Bathe Your Dog Regularly
Another great way to decrease Goldendoodle shedding is to regularly bathe your dog. You should be using specific shampoos like the Furminator Deshedding Shampoo which will help limit how much your dog sheds. In general, regular once a month baths help to rinse off the dead hair that will eventually fall off when your dog sheds. In the warmer months you can consider giving your Goldendoodle a bath twice a month to limit the amount of hair that is shed.
Reduce Your Goldendoodles Stress
All dogs get stressed just like humans. Increased stress is a powerful emotional and physical response in your dogs body. Excessive Goldendoodle shedding can be attributed to a highly stressed dog such as a change in their environment, lack of attention, not enough physical exercise, or death of the dog owner. If you just brought your Goldendoodle home, perhaps they may just have a stressful time adapting to their new home. Goldendoodles are extremely sensitive to many of these aspects.
If you think your Goldendoodle is suffering from increased stress, the best thing you can do is provide a daily routine for them to walk, eat, and sleep. This helps your Goldendoodle to predict what will be happening next. Of course, lots of love also helps too!
Is your Goldendoodle Shedding Excessively?
If you think your Goldendoodle is abnormally shedding (i.e. shedding constantly, bald spots, or hair loss) then you should consult a veterinarian. There are several medical conditions that can cause excess Goldendoodle shedding including:
- Fungal or bacteria infections
- Fleas, lice, or mites
- Dog Allergies
- Cushing’s disease or other kidney, thyroid, or liver problems
- Current medications
- Cancer
- Auto immune diseases
Goldendoodle Generations that Won’t Shed
There are several Goldendoodle generations that are less likely to shed than others. For instance, an F1B Goldendoodles (25% Golden Retriever, 75% Poodle) is less prone to shedding. This generation of Goldendoodle is virtual immune to shedding since they have a significant amount of nonshedding Poodle genetics. In additon, the F1BB Goldendoodle (87.5% Poodle & 12.5% Golden Retriever), F2B Goldendoodle (62.5% Poodle & 37.5% Golden Retriever) and F2BB Goldendoodle (81.25% Poodle & 18.75% Golden Retriever) are virtually immune to shedding.
However, at the end of the day, it comes down to luck whether or not your Goldendoodle will shed. For instance, if you have an F1 Goldendoodle (50% Poodle, 50% Golden Retriever) you may get lucky and have a nonshedding dog. Since this Goldendoodle is a 50/50 mix it’s like flipping a coin for whether or not they shed. In addition, some Goldendoodle owners experience little shedding for the first year, and then start finding clumps of hair around the house as their Goldendoodle grows older.
Conclusion for Why is my Goldendoodle Shedding?
Excessive Goldendoodle shedding is caused because your dog inherited the Golden Retriever shedding genes. You will likely notice seasonal shedding in the warmer months of the year as Goldendoodles will shed their winter coat during this time. You can have minimal dog shedding by brushing your Goldendoodle daily, bathing your dog, limiting their stress, and providing them with nutritional supplements. We hope you enjoyed our article and found some solutions to limit your Goldendoodle that is shedding.
Other Goldendoodle articles to read:
- Goldendoodle Guide
- Goldendoodle Coat Colors
- How to stop a Goldendoodle from biting
- Goldendoodle Boy Names
- Goldendoodle Girl Names
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.