How Often Do Newfoundland Dogs Shed

 One of the most common questions that we get from non-Newfie owners is, “Do they shed a lot?”

The question is usually asked while the people are standing petting Sherman or Leroy and you can see stray dog hairs wisping through the air. 

Do Newfoundland Dogs Shed?

Yes, Newfoundland dogs do shed.

Newfies have a double coat. The top coat consists of guards hairs and the bottom coat is a dense undercoat.

Most Newfies will lose small amounts of guard hairs and undercoat daily

When Do Newfoundland Dogs Shed?

Newfies shed from 12 am to 12 pm Monday through Sunday. 

They shed all the time, every day and on all holidays. 

When Do Newfoundland Dogs Shed The Most

Newfoundland dogs usually blow their coat twice a year, in the spring and then again in the fall.

The heaviest shedding is normally done in the spring when Newfies are losing their thick winter coat to get ready to deal with the heat of summer.

Coats don’t blow based on temperature, they blow based on the amount of the increase in daylight (your dog’s circadian rhythm)

 

So if it’s snowing in March and your Newfie is blowing coat, that’s normal.

The coat isn’t going to wait until it’s a consistent 60 degrees outside. 

During this time most Newfies will lose hair in large amounts for about 3-4 weeks.

They will lose tufts (big chunks of their undercoat) and grooming daily is a necessity to avoid mats from forming

Your home, your clothes, your yard, and your car will usually be covered in more hair than normal during this time.

Do All Newfoundland Dogs Shed The Same?

Nope.

Puppies that do not have their adult coats will not shed or blow their coat as much as adult Newfies.

Adults coats usually start to come in around 6-18 months and many Newfies don’t reach full coat until they are 3 years of age.

 

You can tell when a puppy is getting their adult coat because it’s usually shiner than the dull puppy fuzz you’ve been seeing. 

See: When Do Newfie Puppies Start Shedding?

How You Can Help The Shed

Grooming your dog several times a week and daily when they’re blowing coat with the proper grooming tools will help. 

Grooming tools that help with shedding are rakes, combs, slicker brushes, pin brushes and my favorite: a Sullivan Comb.

It’s recommended to line comb your dog to remove as much undercoat as possible and to prevent matting. 

A great way to remove loose hair and dog dander before you brush is to blow the dry coat with a high-velocity dog dryer. 

Grooming sprays and leave-in conditioners can also be beneficial to avoid damage to the coat. 

When To Be Concerned With Excessive Dog Shedding

There is a difference between fur loss and normal shedding.

When a dog sheds, even when they are blowing coat, they should not become bald or have sores on their skin. 

Bald spots, hot spots, dry and brittle hair, redness, discharge or pain when the skin is touched are all signs that your dog may be suffering from a medical condition.

Some conditions that can cause excessive shedding in Newfoundland dogs are allergies, hypothyroidism, stress, hormones, mites, ringworm or other types of skin infections and nutritional deficiencies. 

A visit to the veterinarian is recommended for any dog that is experiencing any of the signs above. 

Will The Shedding Ever End?

Nope.

It will get less after they blow their coat for a short time,  but as long as you have a Newfoundland you will have shedding.

It’s one of the many perks that come with owning this magnificent breed.

Taking your Newfoundland to the groomer for the first time to help with the shed? Check out 12 Questions Every Newfoundland Owner Should Ask Their Groomer. 

 

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