Do Bernese Mountain Shed_

Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Shed?

Bernese mountain dogs are known to be intelligent, affectionate, and calm. And like most dogs, they are playful and equally loyal to their owners.

When it comes to physiological appearance, the first thing that you will notice when you look at Bernese mountain dogs is their beautiful coat.

Hailing from the Swiss Alps, these dogs have adapted to living in cold conditions, and that is one of the reasons why they have thicker fur than most dog breeds.

With so much fur on their body, you must be wondering if they ever shed some of it off. Well, this article is going to answer all your questions, starting with the one below.

Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Shed?

Being a double-coated breed with exceptionally thick fur, Bernese Mountain Dogs do indeed shed. In fact, Berners have heavy shedding seasons in which they lose more fur than any other time of the year. And since they are large, the amount of fur that they shed is more compared to most dogs.

As stated above, there are times when Berners shed off most of their fur, and this may vary depending on how warm or cold the weather is.

With that said, most of the changes occur before winter and summer. Like most animals with thick fur, Berners tend to shed so that they can stay cool during hot summers.

However, they may also shed their old fur as they grow new ones in preparation for winter. Most of the shedding occurs in the under-coat because it is one that regulates the dog’s body temperature when the weather is cold or warm.

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Some of the fur making up the top-coat may also be lost from time to time, but not as much compared to that shed from the under-coat.

Other Reasons Why Your Bernese mountain dog May Be Shedding Fur Excessively

By now, you already know that it is quite normal for Bernese mountain dogs to shed some of their fur once in a while.

Nonetheless, there are other factors that may escalate the shedding process. As such, you should always be on the lookout to ensure that your furry friend is not losing fur due to the reasons that we are about to highlight below.

Flea & Mite Infestation

Bloodsucking parasites like fleas and mites can cause severe skin irritation in dogs. As a result, the dog may resort to scratching, which can potentially cause fur loss.

Most skin parasites can be controlled through regular washing, so ensure that you give your dog a warm bath using a veterinarian-approved soap from time to time.

Stress

Most animals don’t respond well to stress, and Bernese mountain dogs are no exception. They have a tendency of being overly anxious when the environment that they are in doesn’t suit them.

If necessary changes are not made in good time, the stress may trigger chemical reactions in the dog’s body, which may, in turn, cause some of the hair to fall off.

To avoid this, ensure that you give your dog enough attention since this will make him/her feel loved.

Additionally, you should avoid making abrupt changes to your dog’s routine because they will have a hard time adapting.

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Allergic Reactions

Just like humans, there are things that dogs are allergic to. It could be the dog shampoo or the food that your pet is eating.

As such, you should make it your personal goal to know all the things that your dog is sensitive to.

Caution should also be taken when incorporating new foods into your dog’s diet because most allergic reactions come about as a result of what the pet is consuming.

Can Grooming Reduce Fur Loss in Bernese Mountain Dogs?

Grooming plays a special role in ensuring your dog’s fur stays in good condition. And the best way to go about this is by brushing the dog’s fur regularly.

Since Bernese mountain dogs have two fur coats, you will have to use different types of grooming tools to get the job done. This can especially apply if your pet’s hair is overly tangled.

When choosing grooming tools, ensure that you go for ones that can reach the fur in the under-coat region.

Most pet owners prefer using a pin brush because it can groom both the upper and lower regions of the dog’s coat.

Nevertheless, some undercoats may be too thick for a regular pin brush, so you can consider using a de-shedding tool.

As a reminder, always ensure that you go for a grooming tool that won’t hurt your dog. In addition to this, you should read the user instructions before brushing your dog.

How Often Should I Brush a Bernese mountain dog’s Hair?

You can brush your dog’s hair three to four times a week depending on the amount of hair that the pet is shedding.

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However, there is no harm in brushing on a daily basis as long as you do it correctly without causing harm to the dog.

Do Bernese mountain dog Puppies Shed?

Unlike adult Bernese mountain dogs, puppies have a single layer of coat, so they don’t shed as much fur. As a matter of fact, you will barely notice your puppies losing hair.

This will, however, change when they become of age because Bernese puppies shed off their puppy coat over time.

Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Hypoallergenic?

Since they shed a lot of fur, this breed of dogs is not considered hypoallergenic, so ensure that you take the necessary precautions to keep those that are likely to be affected safe.

Final Thoughts

Bernese mountain dogs are some of the most beautiful dog breeds. Aside from their majestic fur, they have an amazing personality and would make good friends.

They are also quite social, so your kids will have a reliable playmate. However, you should keep in mind that they shed a lot of hair during certain seasons and may require regular grooming to control the shedding.

As such, if you are allergic to dog hair, it wouldn’t be wise to go for a Bernese mountain dog.

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