Although it can be frustrating for humans, dogs shed naturally as part of their natural life cycle. It is essential for the health of most dogs’ skin and fur to shed.
Shedding is the process by which dogs get rid of old or damaged hair. If a dog sheds fur, the amount depends on its breed, the season, and whether they have one or two coats.
Just like most dog breeds, Belgian Malinois shed fur. Depending on the size of the dog and the time of the year, they may shed large amount of hair.
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Do Belgian Malinois Shed?
The Belgian Malinois shed just like any other dog breed (or animal with a coat for that matter). Spring and fall may see heavy shedding, though they shed moderately throughout the year.
Normal processes include shedding. Even non-shedding dogs change their coats as their hair grows old and dies. Only the amount of loose hair you have on your floor or in the air differs.
In terms of shedding, the Belgian Malinois is among the least problematic breeds.
The Malinois is not the only breed that makes a mess. You should still be prepared to handle Belgian Malinois shedding appropriately since it is a considerate process.
How Long Do They Shed?
The excess hair that your Belgian Malinois will shed will be annoying for a while after your Belgian Malinois sheds either their winter coat or their summer coat.
The good news is that they won’t shed for long periods of time, but will continue to shed at the same rate throughout the year.
A Belgian Malinois typically sheds their fur once every two to three weeks. Following the shedding period, they should return to normal fur shedding patterns. In other words, you shouldn’t be dealing with this issue for long.
What Causes Them To Shed So Much?
If you have a Belgian Malinois, you may wonder why they shed so much hair.
Unless this is purely because your Belgian Malinois is a double-coated breed, it could also be since they shed twice a year as part of their natural cycle. There are some dogs that do not have double coats.
It was bred this way to protect Belgian Malinois, which is a working dog, from harsh weather conditions.
The outer coat of a double coat is usually straighter hairs, which serve to protect and dry the undercoat. Denser and softer than the topcoat, undercoats are thicker.
Dogs can benefit from this since it insulates their bodies, which can prove useful in all weather conditions. These pups would have been protected during the harsh winters of the Belgian mountains when the Belgian Malinois was bred for herding sheep.
You need to consider the coat type of the Belgian Malinois when thinking about shedding in this breed. Double coats are characteristic of Malinois. They consist of an undercoat that is soft and dense, as well as a furry topcoat that is rough and straight.
No matter the weather outside, their coat keeps them dry and protected. The Malinois will also be more comfortable in the water if they are trained to swim, although not all Malinois will like the water.
Despite their unique coat colors, Belgian Malinois are relatively unknown. There is a black tip at the end of all their hairs. Sable coats are also known as this color. On the muzzle, they have a black mask, and on the ears, black earring.
How To Prevent Shedding
You can manage your Belgian Malinois fur shed by using a couple of methods. They will help prevent shedding and keep your dog’s coat healthier.
Regular Brushing
To maintain your dog’s regular shedding, brush them roughly twice a week. It may be necessary to brush them four to five times a week during their seasonal shedding period. It is relatively simple to maintain their short fur.
You will save yourself from collecting abandoned hairs from your floor by brushing your Belgian Malinois’ fur.
If you do this regularly, it will make this process easier for you. In order to prevent loose fur from accumulating in your home, brush your dog outside when it shed seasonally.
Proper Diet
It is best to start with a healthy diet for your dog to reduce excessive shedding. Unlike high-quality dog food, cheap dog food contains a lot of fillers that are difficult for dogs to digest.
Select a dog food that contains meat as its primary ingredient rather than a food that does not.
In addition to costing more upfront, better quality foods are better for your dog for a variety of reasons.
Meat-rich dog foods provide better overall health and control shedding and dry skin because they are easier to digest and absorb. Despite better nutrition, shedding cannot be completely eliminated.
Healthy Snacks
You can keep your dog hydrated by feeding him moisture-rich foods, such as slices of apples (without seeds), bananas, cucumbers, and cooked lean meats (without bones).
Furthermore, they contain nutrients that prevent your dog’s coat from shedding and help keep it smooth and shiny. You should, however, only feed your dog high-quality dog food for the remaining 5%-10% of their daily intake.
Provide Plenty Of Clean Water
When the skin is dehydrated, excessive shedding can occur, as well as illness. Keep your dog’s water supply clean and fresh at all times. Add moist foods to your dog’s diet to increase its water consumption.
The use of wet dog food can help your dog stay hydrated since wet food contains up to 78% more moisture than dry food
Use Deshedding Tools
When dogs’ winter coats start shedding in the spring, use deshedding tools, and in the fall, when their winter coat begins to grow back. Indoor dogs shed year-round if they live mostly or entirely indoors.
Rubber curry combs can be used to deshed dogs with short coats. Undercoat dematting rakes or shedding blades are probably necessary for dogs with long or thick coats.
Olive Oil
Dogs that shed at home can be treated with olive oil. In addition to improving skin and coat health, omega-3 fatty acids are found in it. Dogs with healthy coats tend to shed less when they have a healthy coat.
Adding olive oil to your dog’s meal on a daily basis is recommended. A good alternative to olive oil is fish oil, which also contains omega-3 fatty acids and has numerous health benefits.
Moreover, omega-6 fatty acids can enhance coat health since they contribute to it.
Get Rid Of Parasites
A significant contributor to shedding in dogs is ectoparasites, especially fleas and ticks. Excessive shedding is caused by these parasites, which itch and bite dogs.
A canine’s shedding problem can be resolved by eliminating fleas. This will improve your dog’s health and make cleaning easier for you.
Are They Considered Hypoallergenic?
Hypoallergenic dogs are not considered Belgian Malinois, no. Fur shed by them will contain allergens because they shed a lot.
You shouldn’t get a Belgian Malinois if you’re allergic to dogs. Your allergy will only be aggravated by this frequent shedding.
You will find that your allergy gets worse during the seasonal shedding period, even though they shed only a moderate amount of fur most of the year.
A hypoallergenic breed of dog will be the best choice if you have an allergy to dogs.
There is shedding of fur on Belgian Malinois. Their shedder status is moderate, as they shed regularly all year round. Despite this, due to their double coats, they also lose their fur more frequently than other breeds.
Essentially, they are getting rid of heavy or light coats that are no longer needed. Keeping your Belgian Malinois brushed weekly will help you prevent fur from accumulating around your house.
It is not uncommon for people to have allergies to dogs. Taking in dog hairs is often misunderstood as causing sneezing or breathing difficulties.
Human allergies to dogs are actually caused by dander, saliva, and urine. Our noses are inundated with allergens because of the hair on our dogs.
Dander, urine, and saliva are all produced by dogs, as you probably guessed. Dogs cannot be completely hypoallergenic, therefore.
There are, however, dog breeds known for having low shedding, like the Poodle, which do not spread their allergens throughout the house. As a result, unless you have severe allergies, you shouldn’t have any problems around them.
Is It Possible To Stop A Dog From Shedding?
There is no way to prevent a dog from shedding. Dogs that shed less can be chosen.
The concept of hypoallergenic dogs does not exist, though some breeds have fewer problems than others. Dogs with such hair produce less dander, shed less, and have hair more like human hair.
Pet dander and pet fur allergies are common in these pets, which makes them ideal pets for those with these allergies. In addition, they are a great option for dog owners who do not want their dogs to shed.
You may be able to reduce the amount of fur in your home by grooming your pup, but there are many other benefits to grooming your dog. Taking your pup for a bath and brush can be a great way to bond.
As well as checking your dog for bumps, parasites, and dry skin, this also gives you the chance to spot any new ones. Dogs that are groomed are healthier, happier, and shed less.
The Belgian malinois sheds moderately and while there are certainly other dog breeds that shed less or more, there’s more to consider than shedding when trying to choose the right dog for your family.
Finding a way to deal with the shedding or prevent it from becoming a mess in your home can be a nice way to still make it possible to bring one of these great dogs into your home.
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For more information about the Belgian Malinois Breed, check out the video below:
