Do Goldendoodles Shed?

Have you ever heard of a Goldendoodle? Well, in case you haven’t, it is a relatively recent hybrid of dog that is a cross between a poodle and a golden retriever. These fluffy little guys have a reputation of being considered hypoallergenic. But what does that mean?

Do Goldendoodles shed?

Yes, Goldendoodles shed, but not very much. They are considered hypoallergenic, which means that the Goldendoodle will not leave fur or dander around as they move about. However, this does not mean that they don’t shed. Goldendoodles shed fur, but the loose hair gets trapped within the dog’s own coat, preventing it from falling off and ending up in the air.

With this in mind, if you are a dog lover and happen to be allergic to them, Goldendoodles are a great pet choice! However, if you are thinking of selecting this pet due to allergies, here are some things you need to know about Goldendoodles

How Bad Do Goldendoodles Shed?

If your Goldendoodle has a flat or straight fur coat, this comes from the Golden Retriever side and will shed almost as a Retriever does. The curly type coat traps the fur and can be brushed out rather than naturally falling out around the house.

What Does it Mean for a Goldendoodle to Be Hypoallergenic?

A lot of people get a bit confused or don’t completely understand the term hypoallergenic. When something is hypoallergenic, that means it is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. In reference to Goldendoodles; it means that the dog’s shed fur will not fall out of its coat and cause discomfort for those who are sensitive or allergic.

This is great news for dog lovers who are unfortunate enough to be allergic to them.

However, being hypoallergenic does not mean that the Goldendoodle does not shed. All animals will shed their fur to some extent. Some more than others and in the case of the Goldendoodle, it may shed more or less depending on which of its parents it takes after more in appearance.

Even a Goldendoodle Isn’t Completely Hypoallergenic

Truth be told, no dog is truly hypoallergenic. This is because of a protein found in dogs’ urine, saliva, and dander. This protein is called Can F1.

People tend to have allergic reactions when they come into contact with Can F1 through their pet’s dander or when hair comes off their coat. Even though a Goldendoodle won’t actually drop shed fur off its coat, you still have some things to look out for that can cause an allergic reaction:

• Goldendoodle Saliva: Goldendoodles, as with all dogs, contain Can f1 in their saliva. With this in mind, it is easier to have an allergic reaction with the “hypoallergenic” dog than you may think. If you have dog allergies, but can’t resist a Goldendoodle, be careful to avoid being licked by your furry friend. If you are licked, be sure to wash the area right away.

• Goldendoodle Urine: If you’re house training your Goldendoodle, your pup having accidents in the house is bound to happen during the training process. Goldendoodle urine also contains the Can f1 protein. To limit your exposure and allergic reaction, be sure to wear gloves when cleaning the urine or you’ll surely have an allergic reaction.

How Often do Goldendoodles Shed Their Fur?

As a product of their breeding, Goldendoodles do not shed very much. However, they will shed more or less depending on the type of coat they’ve been born with, as there are different variations that occur due to breeding.

Essentially, the amount of shedding and type of coat the Goldendoodle will have will depend on how much influence the parent dogs’ genes have on the Goldendoodle.

Does Your Goldendoodle Have a Long or Short Coat?

There is a gene responsible for the length of your Goldendoodle’s coat. It is called FGF5. If the Goldendoodle’s coat is shorter, it is most likely due to it being from an earlier generation of the dog breed. Either F1 or F1b. In today’s generation of Goldendoodles majority that you see now will be of a breed with a long coat.

What Determines the Amount of Shedding in Goldendoodles?

As determined by studies that have been conducted in 2016, it was determined that there are two genes that directly impact the amount of shedding within a dog. They are RSP02 and MC5R.

The discovery of these genes has been of great assistance to dog breeders to develop what they call a “shedding index” which is scaled from 0 to 4. The index is used to indicate whether a dog exhibits zero shedding – which places it at 0 on the index – or if the dog sheds quite a bit, which will put it at a level 4 on the index.

Furnishings on a Goldendoodle

In the canine world, “furnishings” refer to the longer bits of hair on a dog, such as eyebrows, mustache, and beard. When a Goldendoodle has furnishings, it can also be called a “proper coat.” Without furnishings, then, can be called an “improper coat.” Dogs with furnishings tend to shed less than those without.

Gene Testing for Goldendoodle Shedding

Like any trait, the furnishings can be predicted in puppies through genetic testing. Breeders can now test for the MC5R gene and RSP02 gene which is the furnishing gene that is present within all dogs. This testing allows breeders and researchers to figure out in advance how much the Goldendoodle will shed visibly in its adulthood.

Selecting a Low-Shedding Goldendoodle Based on These Characteristics and Traits

To choose a Goldendoodle with the lowest amount of shedding on the index, you will need to select a puppy with the proper furnishings that test positive for the “A” variation of the MC5R gene which is responsible for low shedding in the Goldendoodle.

How do I Address Shedding with a Goldendoodle That Sheds Visibly?

If you already own a Goldendoodle as a pet and it happens to shed visibly, don’t be discouraged. There are steps you can take to control and reduce the amount of shedding that is exhibited by your furry companion. Here are some tips to help you work around your Goldendoodle shedding:

1. Try Keeping Your Goldendoodle Indoors

If you’re Goldendoodle is a shedder, you may find some relief from flying fur if you keep your dog inside as much as possible. According to studies conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), dogs can potentially shed less when kept indoors.

This is due to the dog receiving less exposure to seasonal shifts in daylight that the dog is exposed to when outdoors. When your Goldendoodle, indoors, its exposure to daylight is more consistent year-round and may reduce seasonal shedding.

2. Brush Your Goldendoodle on a Regular Basis

Brushing your Goldendoodle on a regular basis will be extremely beneficial to their coat. It will help remove the hair that is trapped within their coat that has not fallen off during shedding and will also reduce the amount of visible shedding that you will need to address at a later time.

3. Pay Attention to When Your Goldendoodle Begins to Shed Suddenly

Shedding is a normal process that all dogs go through to a certain extent. However, pay close attention to your dog if you notice that they are shedding a bit more than usual as this can mean other things. In the event that there are other unusual symptoms in your pup, you may want to get it checked out.

Skin irritation, systematic stress, infections, and various other things could be causing your Goldendoodle to shed a bit more than usual, and you may need to take your dog to the vet to determine the actual cause of the excessive shedding.

To Conclude

Yes, it’s true. Goldendoodles, like all dogs, do shed their fur, even if it is not visible. However, a shedding dog isn’t the end of the world, even if you have allergies.

It is important to remember that the Goldendoodle will shed more or less depending on which parent dog it takes after more. If you happen to be allergic to dogs and want a Goldendoodle as a pet, it’s still a great choice, due to its normally hypoallergenic coat.