Do Rottweilers Shed? (Find Out Now!)

If you have a dog with short fur, you might assume that it doesn’t shed as much as a dog with longer hair. However, you would be wrong. Some people aren’t even aware that short-haired dogs shed! So, the question we have is, do Rottweilers shed?

Rottweilers shed about as much as a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever. However, since their coats are much shorter, it doesn’t look like they shed as much. By taking care of your Rottweiler’s coat, you can ensure you keep the shedding to a minimum to keep the fur off of your furniture.

Let’s look at some of the shedding habits of a Rottweiler, so you know what to expect when adopting one of these beautiful dogs into your home. That way, you can ensure you’re prepared to keep up with the mess!

How Much Do Rottweilers Shed?

Dog owners have a misconception that since Rottweilers have shorter hair, they don’t shed very much. However, they do shed quite a bit even though their fur isn’t long.

Rottweilers tend to shed even more during the spring and fall because they have a double coat. Since they need to survive the temperature changes, they get rid of their old coat and grow a new one to either thicken or lighten it, depending on the season.

Shedding is a natural process within the animal kingdom. Even though it can become annoying, especially if your dog is darker and your furniture is lighter, it’s important you understand it’s a necessary process.

The amount a Rottweiler shed is comparable to that of German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. These two breeds are very notorious for heavy shedding, but keep in mind that their hair is longer. The fact Rott’s have shorter fur makes the shedding seem less.

Why Do Rottweilers Shed So Much?

To understand why Rottweilers shed so much, we need to understand more deeply where they come from. Rottweilers are ancestors of a breed of dog which is now extinct. The descendant of the Rottweiler we’re talking about is the Molossus. This was a mastiff-like dog who passed down specific characteristics to some of the breeds we see today. 

One of the characteristics that have been passed on is the “double-coat.” This means that the coat has a topcoat, which is generally the coarser coat most visible to us, and the softer, warmer undercoat acts as insulation.

Why Do Rottweilers Have Two Coats?

The undercoat is meant to protect dogs such as Siberian Huskies and German Shepherds from the elements in the winter and other colder seasons. When we brush our Rottweilers, we are able to see the much lighter fur underneath. This undercoat is also much thicker around the dog’s legs and neck as added protection from the elements. 

During the warmer seasons of the year, that soft, insulating undercoat is not needed. These are the main times of the year you will see your Rottweiler shed the most. When this happens, it is often referred to as “blowing the coat ” What this means is, the dog’s body is preparing for the change in seasons by becoming thicker in the colder weather or less dense for, the warmer months. 

Because the dog’s coat changes because of temperature, the amount your Rottweiler will shed is dependent on where you live and how much time your dog spends outside or indoors with you. 

Factors That Affect Shedding In Rottweilers

There are many factors that can affect the amount of shedding that happens in dogs, including Rottweilers. We’ve listed a few of those below.

Seasons

When the seasons change, this will change the shedding habits of your dog. Usually, during the Spring, your dog will shed its undercoat so that it can keep itself cool when the summer comes. 

When the weather turns cold, your Rott will shed any dead hair and then grow back their undercoat to keep their bodies nice and warm as the snow comes. 

Type Of Coat

Certain dog breeds only have one coat which is called a single coat. These dogs do not have the insulating undercoat that sheds during the warmer months of the year.

Your Rottweiler does have a “double-coat,” which will affect how much they shed. The “double-coat” is seen when brushing the dog’s fur back to expose the lighter, softer, thicker coat underneath. 

Age

As your Rottweiler ages, he will begin losing his hair. This happens to most dogs as they age as a result of the dogs’ decreased cell activity.

This is part of his aging process, but it tends to leave the dog more exposed to outside factors and injury, which may require them to have a little extra care taken with them. 

Nutrition

If your dog lacks specific nutrients he needs, his coat will be one of the first ways you can tell. People who give their dogs foods they have mixed for them tend to lack the nutrients required to stay healthy.

When dogs are fed high-quality foods that contain all the nutrients they need, their coats will be shiny and healthy. They will also lose less of it when they are not blowing their coat.

Foods that contain too much of certain nutrients can also be damaging to your dog’s coat. It may become dull and patchy. You may also notice changes in color or flaky skin.

Hormonal Cycles

When a female dog goes into heat, it is stressful on their body. The elevated estrogen levels may cause an increased loss of hair than she might be used to.

When female dogs are in heat, they are stressed. This may also be something that causes them to shed more. If your female Rottweiler isn’t in heat and losing hair out of season, you should watch her to make sure there is no underlying health issue.

How To Reduce Rottweiler’s Shedding Problems

When groomed and fed correctly, you will be able to keep your Rottweiler’s coat in good shape. You should only need to groom your dog once a week with a brush to remove excess hair that may be trapped in the coat and to distribute the pup’s natural oils from its skin. 

The natural oils on their skin keep them looking healthy and feeling great. When compared to other breeds, Rottweilers are easy to groom and maintain in regards to their fur.

Causes Of Excessive Shedding

There is a huge difference between regular shedding and excessive shedding. If you notice your dog is shedding a lot more than usual, it’s crucial that you take them to a vet and have them checked out. Below are a few reasons that your dog may be shedding a lot more than expected. 

Cushing’s Disease

One of those is Cushing’s Disease. Cushing’s Disease is caused by an overproduction of the hormone Cortisol by the dog’s body.

Cushing’s disease symptoms also include an increase in needing to go potty, increased thirst, and weight gain. Your dog’s vet can treat this condition.

Ringworm

Ringworm is caused by a fungus and not a worm. Ringworm will cause the dog to itch, which will result in hair loss. Where the hair is lost, you will notice irritated skin that is scaled and crusty.

This irritation is the most obvious sign your dog has ringworm. Again, your vet will help you with this issue in your dog, but you may also need to treat the dog’s environment. 

Mange

Mange is a type of infection caused by a tiny, parasitic mite that lives on dogs. There are two types of mange which are Demodentric and Sarcoptic. Demodendric is the type of mange that leaves your pup with bald patches. Sarcastic mange will give your dog urges to scratch, which can also leave them with bald patches. 

Generally, the skin under the missing patches of fur will not look irritated, but mange should be treated quickly by a vet as it can do a lot of damage from missing hair, which can take a long time to grow back on your dog. 

Yeast Infections

Puppies tend to be more prone to yeast infections. Specific areas on the puppies should be regularly checked, such as the folds of their skin and behind their ears. This is usually where the puppies tend to stay wet from the mother’s licking, and they are usually the areas where the yeast starts to grow. 

Some breeds are more prone to this than others, such as breeds that are more wrinkly, naturally, but it can happen to Rottweilers, as well.

Watch for a bad smell, hair loss, or more oily than usual on the pup if you think your Rottie has a yeast infection. An anti-fungal shampoo can be used to clear the infection up before making a trip to the vet for a more potent medication. 

Hypothyroidism

The last reason we’ll look at that could cause your Rottweiler to be losing hair is a condition called hypothyroidism. If you notice your pup seems more tired than usual and starts gaining weight, he could be suffering from this condition.

Hypothyroidism also causes patches of hair to be lost and causes their fur to become dry and brittle. If you think your dog has hypothyroidism, you should see a veterinarian immediately.