Weimaraners are beautiful gray dogs with short sleek hair. This breed is probably most recognized for their striking silvery coat. People that are not familiar with Weimaraners are always curious about the unique color and shine of my dogs’ coats. A question that comes up a lot is how much do Weimaraners shed?
Weimaraners shed consistently throughout the year. They tend to shed a bit more than usual in the spring as the weather gets warmer. Luckily, the short gray hairs that shed out are not very noticible, so shedding is not usually a huge complaint with Weimaraner owners.
Even though shedding is not usually a big issue in this breed, there are things you can do to help minimize it.
Why Do Weimaraners Shed?
Weimaraners can shed for numerous reasons. Most of the time shedding is just a normal part of life, but occasionally it can signal an issue, especially if the shedding is excessive. Weimaraners normally lose very few hairs from being petted and maybe a small amount of hair will be left behind where they sleep. If your Weimaraner loses a lot of hair when you are petting him or leaves a pile of hair behind on the couch or dog bed, he may be shedding excessively.
Some reasons Weimaraners might shed are:
- Normal or seasonal shedding
- Pregnancy or nursing
- Hormonal imbalances such as a Thyroid issue
- Poor nutrition
- Parasites such as fleas or lice
- Allergies
Obviously, many of the above issues will need to be addressed by a veterinarian. Since I am not one, I am only going to focus on minimizing the natural shedding that is normal for a Weimaraner.
Bathing To Reduce Shedding
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Weimaraners do not require frequent bathing. Bathing too often or with the wrong products can actually dry out the coat and skin and cause even more shedding. A good bath can be a big help to get rid of dead hair that is about to fall out.
I usually bathe my Weimaraners once every 2 or 3 weeks, unless we have a show coming up or they get into something stinky (a favorite thing for Weims), then it may be more frequent.
It is important to use a shampoo made specifically for dogs when bathing a Weimaraner. These shampoos are formulated with the proper pH suitable for dogs. Human shampoos are often too harsh for a dog. Sometimes I use a shedding formula if I am trying to get a stubborn coat to shed out fast, typically if I have a show coming up in a few weeks. Most of the time I just use a good, multi purpose dog shampoo like this one.
Many shampoos are concentrated and need to be diluted before using. Be sure to read the label on your shampoo bottle and follow the directions for the particular brand you have. I never put the shampoo directly onto my Weimaraner’s coat. I usually use a sponge or washcloth dipped into the diluted shampoo and then scrub my dog with that. This helps to distribute the shampoo evenly and also helps to loosen old dead hair.
It is important to rinse the shampoo out of your Weimaraner’s hair thoroughly until no more bubbles are present when rinsing. This helps to prevent the coat from becoming dull and drying out.
A conditioner formulated for dogs can be used if you like. I rarely use a conditioner on my Weimaraners because they are usually really soft after just shampooing. If you use one, follow the directions on the bottle and be sure to rinse out completely.
Brushing to Reduce Shedding
Brushing your Weimaraner at least once a week will greatly help in reducing shedding. You can brush more than that if you like. Weimaraners usually love to be brushed so this will most likely become a welcome treat for your pup.
I use a natural bristle brush like this one for everyday grooming of my Weimaraners. These brushes are great for short haired dogs and really help to get loose hairs removed. For more vigorous de-shedding I use a ZoomGroom brush. It is a rubber brush that really grabs on to the coat and removes loose hairs. I don’t use the ZoomGroom for everyday brushing but will use it every 2 weeks or so.
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When brushing your Weimaraner always gently brush in the direction that the hair lays. Brushing against the lay of the hair or brushing too vigorously can damage the coat and cause discomfort. Keeping brushing pleasant will be enjoyable to your Weimaraner and make him or her a willing participant. If your Weimaraner seems to not like being brushed, you may be brushing too hard.
Blowing or Vacuuming the Coat
If you have access to a groomer’s blow dryer, it is a great tool for helping remove old dead hair. This type of dryer is different than the hair dryers humans use. It used a strong flow of forced air to blow the water off of a coat, not dry the water off (which can dry out a coat). Here is an example of a quality forced air dryer that some professional groomers use. These dryers are pricey and in no way essential to caring for your Weimaraner, but are wonderful to have, especially if you show your dog.
I have used the hose attachment on my household vacuum to remove shedding hair from my dogs. I had to socialize my dogs to the loud noise and awkward sensation of being vacuumed, but it didn’t take long for them to actually enjoy it. It is kind of like a massage for them. Doing this really helps to remove shedding hair.
Dealing With Hair in the House
Even with the best grooming practices, Weimaraner hair can still fall out in the house. I vacuum and sweep my floors daily to keep hair to a minimum. I also vacuum my couches because my dogs are allowed on them. It doesn’t take much effort to keep Weimaraner hair to a minimum in the house. It takes me less than 10 minutes to quickly vacuum and sweep.
For the hairs that do manage to make their way onto your clothes, a lint roller is a great tool to have on hand. I am sure to have several of them at all times. I keep one in my truck, a small one in my purse and a few in my house. Trust me, these things are great! A quick roll over your pants and shirt gets any unwanted hairs off.