Do Chihuahuas shed? This is a legitimate question if you are researching dog breeds that are of interest to you. Indeed, all prospective dog owners should ask lots of questions and do their fair share of research before adding a canine companion to their household. If you are considering this irresistible Mexican breed equipped with quite some character, you want to learn about its shedding habits.
Evaluating if Chihuahuas Tend to Shed
All dogs shed to some extent, unless you go with one of those hairless exotic looking dog breeds. Of course, there are dogs that are heavy shedders and those that shed on the lighter side. The Chihuahua falls somewhere in between, being mostly a medium level shedder with just some slight variances between the smooth coated Chihuahuas and the long coated Chihuahuas.
Shedding in Chihuahuas typically takes place all year round, but you are more likely to find Chihuahua hairs during the spring and fall when their coat changes. The good news is that even though Chihuahuas shed, due to their small size, there is really not that great amount of hair to lose! However, if you start feeling a bit overwhelmed by stray hairs showing up around your home during peak shedding times, there are some strategies to resort to in order to minimize cleaning.
How to Minimize Shedding
If you already have your heart set on a Chihuahua but dislike the fact that they shed, you will be happy to learn that you can considerably minimize the amount of hairs you find around the home. If you already own or are interested in owning a long coated Chihuahua, it helps to groom these guys more during peak shedding season. While this will not stop the shedding, at least it will help collect the falling hairs preventing them from accumulating on your upholstery and clothes.
There are some great products on the market now that are quite effective in collecting dead hairs. One of the most famous brands is the ''Furminator',' offering a line of effective deshedding tools for dogs of all coat types and sizes. The use of such tools along with their product line of special de-shedding shampoos can be a winning strategy over the battle against those stray hairs found around your home.
Other popular grooming products are slicker brushes, undercoat rakes, pin brushes, and combs. To help you with cleaning the hair up from sofas, couches, clothes, and general upholstery, you can vacuum or use hair rollers that will catch the hair by attaching them to the sticky tape. To effectively remove hairs from curtains instead, you can invest in a pet hair magnet that will grab any traces of hair that are embedded right into fabric.
Conclusive Facts About Shedding in Chihuahuas
So the answer to the question ''do Chihuahuas shed?'' is yes, they do, but generally not in an excessive way. There has been a lot of misinformation though lingering about this breed and its shedding habits. Indeed, it is not true that Chihuahuas are hypoallergenic or very light shedders.
The most intense shedding in Chihuahuas seems to occur in the spring in what groomers coin as ''blowing the coat.'' This, as explained, may be minimized with careful grooming. A rubber brush used daily will be helpful for smooth coated Chihuahuas and will also prove beneficial since it will help distribute the oils in the coat. Long coated Chihuahuas, on the other hand, may benefit from daily combings and the use of a natural bristle brush. With daily brushing and the right tools to clean up carpet and upholstery, the battle over your Chihuahua's shedding problem is almost won.
So do Chihuahuas shed? Yes, they do, but you can use these strategies to effectively help minimize the amount of hair found around the home.
References:
Chihuahuas Puppy Guide: Chihuahua
Adrienne Farricelli - Adrienne Farricelli brings expertise in canine topics as a former American Animal Hospital Association employee and certified dog ...
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