Hello dog moms and dads! My name is Bri, and I am a loving parent to a 10 year old American Bulldog named Bruce.
We adopted Bruce when he was 7, and he has been nothing but perfect ever since and we love that dog more than we ever thought we could!
We have owned multiple different dog breeds over the years and learned a lot about each breed every time. However, we had never owned an American Bulldog before Bruce.
While we would not trade him for anything, we probably should have done a little research about the breed before bringing him home. This dog SHEDS.
I know what you are thinking… he’s a dog, duh of course he sheds. I get it, but Bruce’s shedding is unlike anything I have experienced!
Luckily, we have learned how to manage it so it does not drive us crazy. That being said, I know that American Bulldogs are not the only dog breed that sheds.
I have always tried to help pet parents learn more about different breeds, their shedding and how to manage it. Today, we will cover the Rottweiler!
I have never owned a Rottweiler myself, but several of my friends and neighbors have. I will share what I have learned through my time spent with Rottweilers as well as my own personal research.
In this article I will cover the history of the breed, what their coats are like, how much they shed and how you can maintain that shedding.
I will even give you some recommendations on tools and methods on managing their shedding!
I personally think to really understand a breed and how they operate, you have to know where it came from. Just like people!
That is why I like to start with the history of the breed. So let’s get started!
History of the Rottweiler
Ah, the strong and sturdy Rottweiler. Talk about a beautiful dog!
These big pups were bred by the Romans as they marched across the countryside to conquer the world.
They are also the base breed for many German dog breeds, such as the German Shepherd, which makes sense if you notice the similar coloration and body type!
Rottweilers eventually became working dogs that gained their recognition in a town called Rottweil. See where this is going?
They were vital in protecting herds from prey and bandits along the route from the pastures to the market in town.
Their formal name is the Rottweiler Metzgerhund, which means the Butcher’s Dog of Rottweil.
Once the railroads came to the picture, Rottie’s were scarcely needed for cattle protection. This breed was very useful in several other fields, however, including police dogs and personal protection pets.
These incredible dogs are the ultimate heroes and are famous for their services as guide dogs and search-and-rescue dogs.
They were even famous for their skills in search-and-rescue after the tragic World Trade Center terrorist attacks in New York City.
Nowadays, you will still find them doing their duty as working dogs! However, many families just have them as a loving house pet.
What is a Rottweiler’s Coat Like?
Rottweilers have short, straight and coarse coats that are mostly black with tan markings on their feet, chest, snouts and eyebrows. Yes, eyebrows.
They have a thick undercoat that you can see clearly on their chest and legs which helps moderate their temperature. These pups have an overcoat that is sleek to help them repel water.
Their fur is, as I said, coarse but also soft to the touch and lays flat.
Do Rottweilers Shed? How Much?
| Actually yes Rottweilers do shed but they do not shed as much as you expect them to. The American Kennel Club categorizes them as seasonal shedders, but also mentions that they will shed pretty moderately throughout the year. |
Most short-haired dogs shed like crazy year-round, so this was a pleasant surprise. We will go into more detail about their shedding next.
When do Rottweilers Shed the Most?
Many dogs shed pretty regularly throughout the year. However, there are definitely some stages of a dog’s life where they will shed more than others.
Let’s take a look at some of the major factors that influence how much a dog sheds.
Stage of Life
This one is pretty important! Dogs shed different amounts of their fur during the different stages of life.
For example, a new puppy will not shed nearly as much fur until they start to mature. It is different for every breed, but most puppies will not start shedding for a couple months.
Once they start to lose their puppy coat, you will notice a drastic increase in shedding. This is totally normal!
They are just shedding their puppy fur to make room for their adult coats. Many animals go through this process whether it be their fur, feathers, or skin!
Shedding Season
This is definitely the biggest factor that influences how much a Rottweiler, or any dog, sheds throughout the year. Rottweilers, as I already mentioned, shed pretty consistently throughout the whole year.
However, they shed like crazy during the two shedding seasons. These seasons are during the transition from summer to winter and from winter to summer.
During shedding season, dogs shed their previous coats to make room for the next one to grow in. This helps them regulate their body temperature which is vital to their health.
Rottweilers especially will shed their thick, warm winter coat when the weather starts to get warmer, and will need constant brushing to help manage their shedding.
Diet and Exercise
While it may not seem like it, diet and exercise can greatly impact your dog’s shedding. Rottweilers are very active dogs and need the right nutrients and exercise to keep them healthy.
Without the proper nutrients, a Rottweiler’s skin and coat will lack luster. It can even lead to their fur being dry and patchy, which will lead to an increase in shedding.
Health starts from the inside out, so make sure your Rottweiler is getting the right nutrients and plenty of activity!
Pests and Skin Conditions
Fleas, ticks, biting flies, mites; they all have one thing in common: they drive dogs CRAZY! All of these pests can lead to excess scratching and licking which often results in loss of fur.
Skin conditions can be a result of these pests, such as mange and alopecia. However, allergies can also be a skin condition that creates a problem for any dog, not just Rottweilers.
How to Combat Rottweiler Shedding
Rottweilers are incredibly smart dogs, and do not take too much effort to control their shedding. In fact, just getting into a good routine will help you maintain their shedding and it is really simple!
Grooming is going to be the most important part of keeping a Rottweiler’s fur off your clothes and furniture.
They do not require frequent baths or grooming, but a weekly brushing and as-needed bath will definitely help keep the hair where you want it.
When it comes to baths, it is easy to dry out a dog’s skin if you bathe them too much. Make sure you get a good quality shampoo that has natural ingredients and is free of artificial perfume!
We really like the Burt’s Bees line for dogs because it has soothing ingredients like honey and oatmeal which are great for a dog’s skin.
Rottweilers like to get dirty, so don’t be surprised if you have to give them a bath a couple times a month!
Equipment to Help Combat Rottweiler Shedding
There are some great tools out there that will help you keep your home, car and clothes fur-free. The holy grail for me is three items, which are a brush, a lint roller and a vacuum.
I will start with the brush. I have always been a big fan of the furminator brush for heavy shedders like my dog Bruce. However, it is also a good idea to have a short-bristled brush on hand too.
Furminators are incredible at getting through a dog’s undercoat which is definitely important for Rottweilers.
However, if you use them too much, the metal teeth can actually make their dry skin more irritated.
This is why it’s a good idea to keep that short bristled brush on hand to give them a more gentle brushing between Furminator treatments.
Next, you need a lint roller! Traditional lint rollers are typically the same with the sticky paper that you have to replace every so often.
I try to be as eco friendly as I can, which is why I looked for an alternative to traditional lint rollers. I use a ton of the sticky sheets with how much Bruce sheds and that is a lot of waste!
That is why I love my MagikBrush. This is a dual-sided lint brush that is reusable and works SO well. Plus, you never have to replace it so it saves you some money!
The last tool I could not live without as a dog mom is my vacuum.
There are plenty of great vacuums out there, but we have the Dyson vacuum for pet hair and let me tell you – it is the Golden Goose of all vacuums.
This thing is incredible. It is cordless which makes it so much easier to do the whole house. Plus it is literally meant specifically for pet hair and I have yet to see it fail!
The attachments come in all different shapes and sizes so I can use it on my furniture, steps, car and in tight corners. I am obsessed!
Are Rottweilers Considered to be Hypoallergenic?
HA, no. Seriously, a dog being hypoallergenic is nearly impossible. There are definitely breeds that are less of an allergen trigger than others, but I can assure you the Rottweiler is not one of them!
Rottweilers shed consistently. Not only their fur, but also dead skin cells. That pet dander is typically even worse when it comes to inducing allergic reactions!
Do Some Rottweilers Shed More Than Others?
This is kind of a loaded question, and the answer is yes and no. Two normal, healthy Rottweilers living in the same house will probably shed about the same.
However, if two Rottweilers live in different climates, say one warm and one cold, they might show different patterns in their shedding. Obviously a dog living in a colder climate will not shed as much as one living in a warm climate.
However, for the most part, they shed about the same.
Health Reasons for Increased Shedding in Rottweilers
Unfortunately, excess shedding is not normally a good sign. As I said before, health starts from the inside out.
If a Rottweiler is showing increased signs of shedding, it could be a symptom of a number of underlying health issues. One of the worst and most drastic is different forms of cancer.
Dogs will often experience loss of fur when their internal organs are being attacked by cancer cells. Now that does not mean you need to go into panic mode if you find a bald spot on your dog!
Hair loss can be caused by a number of other things that are less serious and treatable. Allergies are a big one!
Bruce literally has a bald spot on his tail from his allergies. For whatever reason, that spot was where his skin would get irritated the most and hot spots would form.
Eventually that spot scarred over so the fur never grew back in full. This happens a lot with allergies!
Other conditions that might show hair loss could be mites causing mange. This is also treatable, although it is a bit more of a pain to get rid of the mites.
Either way, it is crucial to keep a watchful eye on how much your dog sheds. This will help you recognize any abnormal shedding.
This might just save your dog’s life!
Final Thoughts: Do Rottweilers Shed?
Rottweilers are incredibly intelligent and loyal dogs. If you are considering bringing one into your home, make sure you do your research first.
Don’t let their shedding stop you! Hopefully this information helps you learn more about them so you can control their shedding and give them all your love.
Happy Pup Parenting!