The Rottweiler, or Rottie, is a smart, devoted, and affectionate family pet. Despite its size, the gentle giant frequently gets along well with children and occasionally serves as a search and rescue dog or a guide dog for the blind. Let’s get to the hairy question at hand: do Rottweilers shed? The Rottie is undoubtedly a wonderful breed.
They do, and Rottweilers will leave dog hair all over your house. They are not hypoallergenic. These puppies, however, shed considerably less than many other well-known dog breeds, such as huskies, German shepherds, and golden retrievers.
We’ll examine the precise amount of shedding that occurs in this breed, the factors that contribute to it, how to reduce it, and what Rottie owners can do to keep both their dog’s coat and their homes tidy and spotless.
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How Much Do Rottweilers Shed?
It is thought that Rottweilers shed moderately. On a scale of one to five, with five denoting the highest amount of shedding, the American Kennel Club (AKC) assigns their shedding a three.
The majority of Rottweilers’ coats are smooth, like those of boxers, Doberman pinschers, and English bulldogs. On their neck and thighs, though, they wear a double coat. Contrary to double coats, smooth coats shed considerably less. Many well-known breeds have a double coat covering their entire bodies, such as Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, huskies, German shepherds, and Australian shepherds.
A double coat has two fur layers: a top coat and an undercoat that is shed in the winter and summer, respectively. Double-coated dogs go through two periods of heavy shedding: their winter coat is shed in the spring, and their summer coat is shed in the fall. They molt their top coat year-round. With true double-coated dogs (like the retrievers and shepherds we listed above), you will notice large clumps of the dogs’ undercoats blowing around your house during these periods of heavy shedding, which is sometimes referred to as coat blowing.
Thankfully, Rottweilers do not actually have double coats. They do shed more frequently in the spring and fall, but not as much as Labradors or German shepherds. Rottweilers shed slightly more during those two seasons of the year because they only have an undercoat on their thighs and neck, compared to dogs with a full double coat, but still considerably less.
If you have dog allergies, however, the shedding of a Rottweiler can spread dander throughout your house and exacerbate your symptoms. The Rottie’s moderate shedding combined with its less-noticeable short hair can make this breed a pleasantly low-maintenance companion for people who aren’t allergic and simply prefer less dog hair around the house.
Reasons Why Rottweilers Shed
Nearly all dog breeds shed – Rottweilers are no exception. Although hypoallergenic dogs don’t shed as much, they do still lose hair. Furthermore, you must invest a lot of time in skincare even if you choose to adopt one of these hairless dogs.
As previously mentioned, Rottweilers moderately shed, but during the shedding season (spring and fall), they may become heavy shedders. But why do they dander more than other dog breeds? Therefore, you won’t be surprised that they will shed; this is why.
Double Coats & Seasonal Shedding
Rottweilers have short double coats, as opposed to single coats. It’s not a terribly difficult concept to grasp – it just means they have two layers of fur. However, more fur means more opportunities to shed hair.
The first layer of the Rottweiler’s coat is called the undercoat, which refers to a dense and short layer that almost mimics wool. You’ll understand what I mean if you stick your fingers deep inside their coat. In addition, it’s designed for effective insulation, just like your wool coat!
Above the undercoat sits the top coat, which is a layer of hairs developed for protecting the dog from external elements. Due to their frequent outdoor activities, most working dogs, like Rottweilers, have this additional layer of defense.
But the real reason why double-coated dogs shed so much is because of the coat-blowing season. Specifically, when Rottweilers shave their coats in anticipation of a sometimes-dramatic change in temperature.
Your Rottweiler needs a thicker coat of fur in the winter because it gets colder outside. To prepare for the warmer summer temperatures, they do away with that coat in the spring. The same thing happens in the fall when they molt their summer coats to make room for their thicker winter ones.
As it differs significantly from regular daily shedding, you’ll be able to tell when your Rottie is experiencing coat blowing. Instead of individual strands falling, Rotties will typically see clumps of hair falling out. Do not panic; this is entirely normal.
Rottweilers Were Bred for Coldness
German-bred dogs are called Rottweilers. Temperatures in the land of beer and bratwurst can be mild during the summer but can be chilly during the winter. In fact, it’s not unusual for temperatures to drop below -1°C.
Combine this with the fact that Rottweilers were mainly outdoor dogs, bred for driving cattle and pulling carts, these dogs needed protection. As such, Rotties were bred with a thicker fur coat, capable of withstanding harsh temperatures.
It’s not unusual to see more fur on working dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors in colder climate. For instance, Siberian Huskies were developed so they could pull sleds in some of the world’s coldest climates. Huskies also have double coats with even more fur than Rotties.
If Rottweilers had been bred to have, say, the coat of a Chihuahua, they would be simply too cold and not be as effective on the field. Either way, we still don’t recommend leaving your Rottie in the polar vortex outside.
Outdoor Or Indoor Rottie Makes a Difference
You might notice alterations in the Rottweiler’s shedding routine depending on whether you keep it inside or outside. Because modern Rottweilers are frequently used as guard dogs, many owners keep their dogs outdoors.
But if you keep your Rottweiler outside, sunlight has a significant impact on how often she sheds. A Rottie’s coat is smarter than you think. And by that, I mean the coat is a highly sophisticated insulation system that adapts to various factors.
According to The Nest, the two main signals are daylight and temperature. This is the cause of seasonal shedding, as we have previously discussed. However, this implies that outdoor dogs may be more likely to blow their coats in response to the weather.
On the other hand, indoor Rottweilers that are exposed to consistent artificial lighting and controlled temperatures may have an atypical shedding cycle. Instead, indoor dogs tend to have more consistent shedding year-round, comparatively.
So while outdoor Rottweilers might shed more heavily twice a year, an indoor dog might shed more heavily all year long. However, there’s no guarantee that indoor dogs won’t experience coat blowing to a lesser degree.
Malnutrition Leads to Excessive Shedding
Strong and hardy dogs are Rottweilers. So, in order to maintain their active and healthy lifestyle, they require the appropriate diet. However, did you know that your Rottweiler may shed excessively if they do not receive the essential nutrition they require?
According to Pets WebMD, proper nutrition is sometimes the key to preventing excessive shedding in dogs. Even though commercial pet food producers may have complied with the bare minimum standards, cheap kibbles frequently lack adequate nutrition.
Your Rottweiler’s diet should consist of six basic nutrients: vitamins, proteins, fats, minerals, carbs and water. Unfortunately, dogs are not given enough inexpensive dog food. When shopping for food, try to spend around $4 per pound of food.
Things can be tricky, as two dog foods that contain 27% protein can differ in digestibility. They purposely make it difficult to differentiate by consumers. However, dog foods that list corn as the first ingredient tend to be of higher quality compared to those that list meat.
According to VCA Hospitals, the reason for this is that ingredients such as meat will contain a lot of water. As a result, a lot of the ingredient is lost during the kibbles’ processing. So talk to your veterinarian if you have any worries.
The Rottweiler’s Size
Rottweilers are not small dogs by any means. Instead, they are formally categorized as a large dog breed. There will undoubtedly be more opportunities for shed fur due to the Rottie’s enormous size as well.
Rottweilers can weigh between 77 and 110 lbs for an adult female and 110 and 130 lbs for an adult male. Just as impressive, these big dogs can stand as tall as 27 inches depending on genetics and gender. There is a lot of dog surface area.
For example, Great Danes are relatively low-shedding dogs. But because Great Danes are the biggest purebred dogs in the world, they’re classified as moderate to heavy shedders. There are simply so many dogs that regular coat maintenance is required.
What Causes is Excessive Shedding in Rotties?
As previously stated, Rottweilers should shed regularly all year long. But when do Rottweilers shed more than that?
Dogs, including Rottweilers, can lose more hair than is normal or healthy for their breed due to certain health issues. Suddenly seeing a higher amount of hair around the house could be a sign of one of these problems:
- Poor diet: Lack of nutrition in your dog’s diet will likely result in increased shedding. Look for dog food that contains recognizable whole foods and real meat as the first ingredient.
- Parasites: Both fleas and mites can result in hair thinning and hair loss in dogs. With a veterinarian’s assistance, both can be easily treated.
- Allergies: Numerous dogs suffer from skin allergies, which can cause itchiness, hair loss, and skin infections. Changing your dog’s diet will help if they have a food allergy. Your dog may require allergy testing and medication if they have environmental allergies.
- Other skin issues: A dog may lose hair as a result of numerous skin conditions and inherited medical conditions. Consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about your dog’s shedding habits.
Your dog should always have enough coverage from the sun thanks to their fur unless you have a hairless breed. With the exception of the stomach, which is hairless in many breeds and has finer hair in Rottweilers, your dog’s skin shouldn’t be visible through its coat. Contact your veterinarian if you notice bald patches where your dog once had fur or if you can clearly see your dog’s skin through its coat.
Reducing Excessive Shedding
Rotties always shed some hair because of the way their coats are designed, especially in the spring and fall.
There are some things you can do, though, to lessen the harm!
1. Brush Your Rottie on a Consistent Basis
For the majority of the year, you can control shedding by giving your Rottweiler a soft brushing once a week. However, you should increase the frequency of brushing when the Rottweiler shedding season begins (spring and fall). In some instances, it might be best to brush every day to keep up with the shedding.
Brushing will help get rid of all the loose hair and can especially make a difference in the undercoat where hair can really build up and “get stuck”. Make sure you brush outside to prevent any loose hair from getting inside your home. Good brushing and time spent outside are two things that your Rottweiler will probably adore!
You can use a variety of brushes when brushing your Rottie to get the best results, but not all brushes are created equal.
I suggest starting with a rubber curry brush or a “shedding brush” as it’s sometimes called. When there are heavy shedding seasons, this kind of brush is extremely helpful because it has soft rubber teeth that will help remove the old, dead hair that is just waiting to be shed. Click here to visit Amazon and see one of my favorite rubber curry brushes. It not only has a ton of favorable reviews, but it is also inexpensive.
I advise using a tool like the Furminator after the curry brush. Most puppies appear to enjoy the feel of this brush, which is specifically made to remove hair from the undercoat. It goes without saying that this is ideal for the upcoming coat blow. Click here to check out the Furminator on Amazon and read some positive reviews from Rottie owners.
You can also see the brush in action (along with a whole pile of Rottweiler undercoats) in this video:
2. Give Your Rottweiler Baths on a Regular Basis.
Generally speaking, how active your Rottweiler is and its environment will determine how frequently they need a bath. If your Rottweiler spends a lot of time outside, likes to roll around in the mud, or enjoys digging holes, he’ll need a bath fairly frequently.
But during the shedding season, you might want to give a Rottweiler who is already clean a bath just to catch up on the hair!
But be careful not to bathe your dog too frequently as this can dry out the skin and coat of your Rottweiler and cause the hair to become brittle. Damaged, brittle hair is more likely to break and fall out which means even more shedding in your house!
Generally speaking, you can give your Rottweiler a bath every four to six weeks. Use a good, mild dog shampoo if you plan to bathe your Rottweiler more frequently than that. I usually suggest this one from Vet’s Best on Amazon, but you could just give your dog a rinse with plain water if your only concern is controlling shedding (and not getting rid of any dirt).
3. Make Sure Your Rottie is Eating a Healthy Diet
The diet of dogs has a significant impact on their coats. Dry skin, brittle hair, and increased shedding are all symptoms of a poor diet or some other nutritional deficiency. The amount of food your Rottweiler consumes is influenced by its age, weight, and level of activity. If you need assistance in selecting the ideal food, you can read some of our reviews of Rottweiler-specific foods, but your veterinarian is always the best source of information.
Rottweilers typically need a diet high in protein and a variety of micronutrients. Furthermore, omega-6 fatty acids can enhance the health of the entire coat, which will lessen shedding. According to veterinarian Dawn Logas omega-6, fatty acids can “be helpful just to give a shine to the coat, add some luster back, and help replace the oils in the skin.”
In most cases, dogs get enough fatty acids from their diet, but if your dog still needs a little help, you can always add in a fish oil supplement made specifically for dogs. This Vita Pet product, which you can view on Amazon, is one of my favorites. My dog is more than content to eat these directly from my hand!
4. Keep Your Rottweiler Hydrated
Hydration is something that’s frequently disregarded when it comes to managing shedding, despite the fact that it’s closely related to diet. According to AKC Pet Insurance, “The amount of loose fur you have to clean up around your home can increase if your skin is dehydrated, which is a major contributor to hair loss.”
But how much water is enough?
According to Fetch (a division of WebMD), a 100-pound Rottweiler should drink 12 and a half cups of water per day. In order to prevent dehydration, keep an eye on your Rottweiler’s water intake, especially during the time when they are shedding.
5. Reduce Stress and Anxiety
When it comes to your Rottie’s excessive shedding, stress can be a major contributing factor.
But stress can be challenging to manage.
Many puppies experience some degree of separation anxiety, even though we might not think that our brave Rottweilers are feeling particularly stressed in their incredibly loving home. As they anxiously await your return, these dogs might shed more.
Separation anxiety is a complicated problem, so I recommend checking out this ASPCA resource to learn more. However, adding in some distractions can go a long way if you’re concerned that your dog has a mild case of separation anxiety or some other type of anxiety. Most dogs can benefit greatly from a Kong toy if you don’t already have one. Put in a small amount of their preferred treat or even some kibble, then just let them get to work. Click here to purchase a Kong from Amazon.
Exercise is another excellent way to reduce stress and get your Rottweiler outside so they can urinate outside instead of on your couch. It’s hard to be anxious when your Rottie is physically and mentally tired! If you’re looking for recommendations, check out the list of our favorite Rottweiler games!
6. Create a Safe Space for Hair
Okay, this isn’t exactly going to reduce your The shedding of a Rottweiler will make your home a little less hairy, though.
Make sure your Rottweiler has a cozy spot to lounge and rest that is not in the living space. This can really make a difference during the period of heavy shedding and coat blowing because Rottweilers frequently like to be in the middle of the action, though they don’t have to spend all of their time there.
A good dog bed and an extra blanket are all you need; nothing fancy.
Don’t Shave Your Rottweiler (Even Though It’s Tempting)
Do not shave or clip your Rottweiler’s coat, regardless of the strategy you select to reduce hair loss in this breed. Rotties have double-layered coats, so shaving or clipping too closely disturbs the natural protection the coat is supposed to provide.
A Rottweiler may experience some problems as its coat regrows after a shaving-clipping episode. It might have a different appearance from before and even develop in clumps. Because the undercoat is likely to regrow thicker, it could also lead to heavier shedding.
How to Keep a Rottweiler’s Coat Healthy
The coats of rottweilers require virtually no upkeep. This is one benefit of choosing Rottweilers over non-shedding canines like poodles, which frequently need to be groomed. In fact, dog owners looking for a compromise between a manageable amount of shedding and grooming will find the Rottie to be a fantastic choice. Since they don’t shed much, rottweilers require little grooming.
Simply give your Rottie a bath once or twice a month to maintain the health of their coat. To get loose hair follicles to emerge during bath time (rather than while lying on the couch), use a de-shedding dog shampoo.
Brushing your Rottie once a week will help to distribute the natural oils from their skin throughout their coat and prolong the health of any new hair growth. Look for a slicker brush or a dog brush with soft bristles if you want to find one that works well for a Rottweiler’s short hair.
To help with shedding, and dry skin, and to promote a healthy coat, round out your Rottie’s skin care regimen with the addition of a fish oil supplement. There are many omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil. According to research, dogs given fatty acid supplements experienced improvements in the health of both their skin and coat.
The Rottweiler’s coat can be kept healthy with regular brushing, monthly baths, and a fish oil supplement.
How to Manage Rottweiler Hair Around Your Home
Many people search for low-shedding dog breeds because of the cleanup involved, not because they suffer from allergies to dog dander or dander itself. If you hate seeing dog hair on your floors and furniture, you can keep your Rottie’s shedding under control with these simple steps:
- Try a robot vacuum: When a robot vacuum is installed, you can instruct it to automatically clean your floors at any time during the week. Once it’s set up, the amount of dog fur on the floors will be greatly reduced.
- Set some boundaries: Teach your dog to stay off the furniture and out of the bedroom if you can resist cuddling up to them on the couch. So, there won’t be any fur in these areas.
- Look for lint rollers: Take a few of these and keep one in your car and one by your front door. Hugging your Rottie might make you a little hairy, but you can quickly tidy up before you leave.
- Rethink your furniture and flooring: Your pet should be considered when remodeling or purchasing new furniture. Hard floors are simpler to keep clean than carpet, but a dark carpet will help hide a Rottie’s shedding. In a dog-friendly fabric, dark furniture upholstery will achieve the same result.
Don’t let a little shedding get in the way of your love for the Rottweiler breed if you adore it in every way. With some preparation, it’s simple to control.
Caring for Your Rottweiler’s Coat
Since Rottweilers shed, people with allergies might want to avoid owning one. Dogs are, however, low-maintenance pet for many dog owners.
Rotties shed occasionally, with the spring and fall seasons being slightly heavier. More often than not, retrievers and shepherds shed less. An unusually high rate of shedding could be a sign of an allergy, poor diet, or skin condition. If your Rottweiler sheds fur more frequently than usual, consult your veterinarian.
The coat of a Rottweiler is simpler to maintain than that of many non-shedding dogs; it only needs to be bathed once or twice a month, brushed once a week, and supplemented with fish oil on a daily basis.
The Rottie could become your new best friend if you’re willing to put in a little extra work cleaning (or just spend some money on a robot vacuum and some lint rollers).
Visit the Native Pet blog for more details on your favorite dog breeds.
Final Thoughts
Owning a vacuum is probably a good idea if you own a Rottie. Although they are wonderful dogs, they do shed, especially in the spring and fall. You can benefit from it if you are organized and knowledgeable about how to reduce shedding.