Pets, and in particular dogs, can help you reduce stress depression, ease loneliness, motivate you to exercise, and encourage playfulness, among other things. Apart from the benefits dogs bring to our lives, there are other shortcomings that we never know until we have them in our lives. One of these unknown challenges is shedding. Shedding is when a dog loses its damaged or dead hair to make space for new fur to grow. Having interacted with these loyal creatures for more than 20 years, I want to address a frequently asked question about the pointers” Do German Shorthaired pointers shed? ”
The German Shorthaired Pointer, also known as the German bird dog, is a versatile, high-energy, and fun dog initially bred in Germany in the 19th century from the pointing breed as a hunting dog. As hunting dogs, the Pointer breed is known for their high sensitive squarish muzzle that spots and leads in the game’s direction.
The German Shorthair Pointer is one of the most desired dogs to keep around you if you are an active person and also at home as they are very caring and love companions from kids and other dogs. Due to their active nature, they become easily frustrated and hostile if not given sufficient mental and physical attention. An adult dog male weighs about 55-70 lbs and has a height of 23-25 inches, while a female weighs about 45-60lbs with a height of 21-23 inches.
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German Shorthaired Pointer Coat
German shorthaired pointers are short-haired dogs with a small, thick, smooth liver-colored coat that can be either patched or solid-colored. The German Shorthaired Pointer’s coat is adapted to produce oil in the fur to aid in repelling particles that can stick. The dog’s coat also aids the German pointers in maintaining warmth during the cold seasons.
The German Shorthaired is a dog breed with a double coat. Double coats typically mean that your dog has two layers of hair. The initial coat is visible to us as it is long and fine. The second coat is made of thick hair that is not easily visible to us and is water-repellent due to natural oils.
Do German Shorthaired Pointers Shed?
Yes! The German Shorthaired pointers do lose hair. Shedding is a natural process in dogs though different breeds have different degrees of shedding. Shedding depends on the coat your dog has; some types of dog breeds may shed throughout the year and others seasonal.
The German Shorthaired Pointer’s coat is considered middle shedders compared to other dog breeds like the Akitas, Alaskan Malamute, and American Eskimo.
German Shorthaired Pointer shedding runs for 7 to 14 days and mainly occurs in spring and fall, and it is considered to be normal. You will be required to work to keep clean harder on your pet during shedding seasons and clean your house as it might be hard to clean the dog hair thoroughly.
Causes of Excessive Shedding in German Shorthaired Pointers
Health is a concern in a dog’s shedding. A healthy German Shorthaired Pointer shedding is smooth, quick, and lacks inconvenience. In contrast, an unhealthy dog’s shedding may extend over the expected period and leave a coat looking lifeless and dirty.
Let’s check various reasons why your hunting dog may experience excessive shedding:
Giving your German Shorthaired Pointer an imbalance Diet
Your hunting dog may be sensitive to some ingredients in their food, while others may be okay with the same ingredients. Feeding is crucial, and for a start, it is advisable to start feeding your dog with good quality and professionally made dog food.
“The No. 1 reason for excessive shedding is a poor diet,” advises DVM Roy Cruzen. “People go to discount stores, by a 40-pound bag of cheap dog food, and then see their pets’ shedding increase. Even though the food meets the minimum quality requirements, it may not have enough animal protein or minerals to maintain your dog’s optimal health.”
Due to the increased availability of poor food in the market, there is a need to consult your dog’s vet before buying food for your German Shorthaired Pointers.
Using Poor Quality Shampoo
If your German Shorthaired Pointer shedding is heavy or abnormal and you don’t associate it with food and allergies, then it’s time to consider your grooming practices.
There is a big difference when you look at human and dog skin chemical composition. First of all, the skin pH of dogs is very different from that of humans. Dogs have a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5, while the human range is between 5.3 to 6.2.
Human shampoos are specifically made with the proper human skin pH in mind to meet skin needs. Using human shampoo on your dog’s sensitive skin may be harmful and may alter the dog’s skin pH over time; this may cause a spread of bacteria to your dog’s skin, further resulting in excessive shedding. Check out our list of the dog shampoos we recommend.
Stress at Home
When waiting at your dog’s vet for a routine check-up or treatment, you may experience fur flying from your dog. Typically, depending on the size of your dog or the level of anxiety, you may experience more shedding by the moment you are done with the veterinarian.
Stress shedding is one of the signs of a nervous dog, along with panting. Stress shedding can also be seen in situations where your dog may be uncomfortable, like during thunderstorms, in places with unfamiliar animals or people, or fireworks.
Since the German Shorthaired is known for its high energy in its activities, it is required that you give your dog some serious exercise like running, long walks, or swimming at least an hour a day — this will help in releasing stress and sorting out some health issues. You can also register your hunting dog in dog sports activities to maximize their energy.
Skin Parasites
If your German Shorthaired Pointer is excessively shedding and scratching, it is advisable to check since it has parasites on its coats. Parasites like fleas, ticks, or even mange mites cause skin irritation and discomfort in dogs, leading to more health issues like skin inflammation or a secondary skin infection.
Using prescribed medication from your vet can help kill parasites. Using over-the-counter medications can be problematic as they may cause more discomfort and even dead skin.
Hormonal Imbalances & other Diseases
If your German Shorthair is experiencing excessive shedding and you don’t relate it to the above reasons, it might be an imbalance of hormones. Some dog breeds are known to shed after giving birth or after neutering.
Shedding on different body parts and skin discoloration might also signify health issues which include ringworms, genetic health problems, thyroid disease, dead skin, and skin allergies.
If your German Shorthaired Pointer is discolored, it can be associated with an endocrine imbalance or allergies. You should report any signs of loss of appetite, dullness, or poor mental state to your vet for check-ups and treatment.
Managing German Shorthaired Pointer Shedding
If your German Shorthaired Pointer is shedding excessively, then we acknowledge the mess it has created, which is stressful and a little inconvenient for you.
Here are practices you can do to make your experience around your German Shorthaired Pointer more enjoyable. We will guide you through easy steps to make your German Shorthair shed less.
Brushing
German Shorthaired Pointers are an energetic breed known for their high need for exercise; while this may be challenging, their grooming needs are reasonable. Their shedding in most cases happens in the spring and fall, but if exposed to a warmer climate, they may experience shedding throughout the year.
Even though they contain a short coat, lack of proper grooming may lead to falling of dog hair which can be irritating.
Brushing the German Pointers is easy since it is trainable. Regular grooming provides various advantages to the German Shorthaired Pointer. A dog grooming table can be helpful here. Some of the benefits include:
- It helps reduce fur accumulation in the house. Shedding can be a challenge if not adequately managed. Regular brushing aids in collecting all loose fur from the German Shorthaired Pointer coat. Otherwise, lack of brushing may lead to hair’s natural fall, which may end up in your carpet or furniture, creating another added cost of cleaning. It may also be a problem for allergic persons in your household.
- Regular grooming aids in keeping your German Shorthaired Pointer at its best. Shedding removes old fur from the coat giving new fur a chance to grow. Also, regular brushing helps to spread the dog’s natural oil throughout the coat, this aids in adding strength to the fur and shining.
- Brushing helps in keeping your German Shorthaired Pointer clean. As a breed known for its energy in outdoor activities, the GSPs might trap outdoor debris underneath the topcoat. Typically, you do not want to bathe your dog every week, as it might cause the skin and coat to dry. However, regular brushing is a free alternative to keep your GSPs clean.
- Brushing is a perfect bonding experience for you and your GSPs. The GSPs breed loves to share time with their owner. Brushing is an activity that is soothing and aids your dog in gaining confidence in you.
Choosing the Right Brush for your Dog’s Coat
With so many types of grooming equipment in the market, finding the right brush for your German Pointer can be challenging, especially if it’s your first purchase. It can be tricky comprehending which comb or brush you require since each dog’s hair differs in length and texture.
When purchasing a brush, it is advisable to check for its uses and the dog’s recommendations on the pack. Consulting with your vet is also a great move to buy a quality brush for your dog. Purchasing approved equipment from relevant bodies like the American kennel club can be of great help.
Bathing and Drying
The German Shorthaired Pointer’s breed is characterized by pulling the injured game from the water. The GSP contains a water-resistant coat and webbed feet that make them good swimmers; because of these traits, they should be bathed only when the dirt is visible. Recommended bathing periods can be once or twice a year.
Also, if your German Shorthaired Pointer is dirty from a muddy walk and they could cause a mess through your entire house, then it is wise to bathe it. You should note that even if regular bathing is seen as an excellent way to treat your GSP, it is not advisable as it may cause excessive shedding and dry skin.
Bathing your German Shorthair for the first time can be challenging — this is because the German Shorthaired Pointer’s coat produces natural oil that may act as a repellant to water, making it run through. But after a few massages, your GSP coat will eventually get wet.
When bathing your German Shorthaired Pointer’s coat, avoid eye and ear contact with shampoo on your hands as it can bring discomfort to your dog, making the bath time difficult and stressful. Use a quality rubber brush to remove caked-on dirt that may be difficult to remove with bare hands. After bathing, your dog needs proper rinsing to avoid itching and scratching after the bath.
Drying is another crucial process of grooming; this process involves allowing your German Shorthaired Pointer to shake, squeegeeing off excess water using your hands, and at the end using a well-drained towel to dry your GSPs coat. Bathing is one of the activities that is proven to be a bond-building activity with your dog, and you should make it a beautiful experience for your German Shorthaired Pointer.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has been of great help in explaining shedding in German Shorthaired Pointer. The German Shorthaired Pointer is a high-energy dog with a low shedding pattern and an easy to groom dog compared to most breeds. Maintaining its coat and minimizing shedding is easy as it boils down to quality food and consistent grooming. Keeping a German Shorthaired Pointer is a true adventure and dealing with shedding is part of the adventure.