Why don’t poodles shed much?

Why don’t poodles shed very much?

Poodles don’t shed very much Because poodles have hair, not fur! “Hypoallergenic” dogs are dogs who have hair that is very similar to our own hair and doesn’t fall out in nearly the same amount/in the same seasonal pattern as fur.

Poodles, Yorkshire terriers, and many Crossbreeds between Poodle and Other dogs are all hypoallergenic. 

When Poodles shed, their hair primarily gets trapped within the other curls. … This is because Poodles have hair as opposed to fur, which means it consistently grows instead of falling out like fur.

Poodles Have Hair or Fur and Poodle Fur is different from other Furry dogs

Poodles have hair, not fur. While most dogs have fur, poodles are one of a handful of breeds that are considered to have hair. 

Poodles only have a single-layer coat that does not shed, and their hair can even respond to hormonal changes in the body, like human hair.

Difference between Fur and Hair

“What exactly is the difference?” you may enquire. Initially, this seems to be the case. It is still in need of being brushed. Why is it the same for everyone?” you may wonder. In a way, that is true.

The differences and similarities between hair and fur are minor, and there are some tiny discrepancies between the two, but at their core, they are identical.

A question was put to Ross McPhee, a curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, concerning the differences between hair and fur in this article.

When questioned whether there was a statistically significant difference between the two, he said that there was not. He has provided the following response to this question:

When we look at the hair on poodles in comparison to the fur on other dog breeds through a scientific lens, we can see that, although fur and hair are similar, they also have distinct traits that vary from person to person and dog to dog, as well as across individuals.

Keratin is a protein molecule that is employed in the production of both fur and hair. Both have a genetic makeup that is quite similar.

The differences between the two are mostly dependent on how they seem, feel, and are cared for, among other factors.

Texture Differences Between Poodle Hair and Fur

What is Poodle Hair Texture like?

Hair is the thicker of the two and has the ability to develop longer. Hair can grow for as long as you want it to, unlike fur, which must shed at specific lengths.

Hair can be straight, curly, or wavy, and it can quickly get tangled if you are not diligent and attentive to their grooming requirements.

What is Dog Fur Texture Like?

Furry dogs have a top coat and an undercoat, giving them a thick, fluffy look. Fur is often denser and shorter in length than hair. This is because optimal fur development demands more follicles on their skin.

In any season, the undercoat of a dog’s hair is normally a fluffy, fine coat that assists in body temperature management. This double coat is not always present, but it is a characteristic shared by most canines with hair.

When it comes to cleanliness, both fur and hair have their own set of issues and advantages. We’ll talk over grooming standards in more depth later in this piece.

Growth Cycle Differences Between Fur and Poodle Hair

There’s a big difference in how fur and hair grow. Their different development cycles explain why they have such different looks and feel, as well as different ways of managing and caring for them.

Poodle hair grows longer, but the growth period is shorter, resulting in less shedding. Hair and fur must go through the same growth stages, but they do so at different rates.

Poodle Hair, Fur and Allergies

Since poodles have hair rather than fur, they are typically considered to be a safer breed for those who suffer from allergies.

Although this is sometimes true, it is not usually related to the variances in fur and hair kinds. There are a variety of viewpoints on this.

It is easy for dander to accumulate under the curly layer of a poodle’s fur, yet poodles do not shed their hair.

It is possible that the buildup of dander just under the coat of hair may cause problems for those who suffer from dander-related allergies. Therefore, they must be groomed on a regular basis in order to enable dander to escape and avoid the build-up of dirt and debris.

It is easy for dander to accumulate under the curly layer of a poodle’s fur, yet poodles do not shed their hair.

It is possible that the buildup of dander just under the coat of hair may cause problems for those who suffer from dander-related allergies. Therefore, they must be groomed on a regular basis in order to enable dander to escape and avoid the build-up of dirt and debris.

Dog hair, on the other hand, sheds regularly and gathers dander as it travels around the house.

In other words, if your dog sheds a lot and you discover that your allergies are growing worse, it is unlikely that the additional hair in your yard is to blame. Pets’ dander and protein molecules on their skin lead them to sneeze and blink their eyes often.

Poodle Hair Spreads Less Dander Than Dog Fur

The majority of dogs with fur lose dander from their coats every 3-4 days on average. As a result, allergens are continually flowing through the air, which presents a significant concern for allergy sufferers.

Poodles lose their dander and other undesirable skin particles on a regular basis, about every 21 days.

Because of their minimal shedding, poodles are a prefered dog breed for allergy patients because of their low shedding.

If your poodle has curly hair, on the other hand, you’ll want to be certain that you’re doing all you can to keep the dander under control and their hair and skin safe from harm.

Poodle Shedding

A Poodle, it is said, does not shed. There are two ways to look at this.

A Poodle lacks the plush double coat that many other breeds have. Poodles have a single coat of curly hair that is densely curled. 

It grows and some hairs fall out just like human hair. When hairs fall out of a Poodle’s coat, they frequently fall back in. As a result, a Poodle does not shed in the traditional sense of a dog.

Hypoallergenic Facts

While Poodles are said to be hypoallergenic, some people (very few) can still be allergic to this breed.

Why is this so? Because varying amounts of dandruff can be found in hair, and some people may be allergic to it. 

Furthermore, allergens, which are microscopic dander elements, are present in all dogs.

Many dog breeds shed this dander every 3-4 days, causing allergic reactions in those who are sensitive to it (roughly 10 per cent of people).

Poodles and other dog breeds, such as Schnauzers, shed their skin every 21 days, reducing the number of allergens that could cause an allergic reaction.

Important General Care for the Poodle’s Coat

Shampoo:  is one of the most important products to use on your Poodle’s coat. We have a section dedicated to the best shampoo for Poodles.

Conditioners: A coat conditioner should be applied to the Poodle’s hair to keep it soft, moist, and tangle-free. 

High-quality brands will contain anti-static compounds to keep the dog’s hair from becoming fly-aways, as well as mink oil, which adds a gloss or lustre to deepen and enrich the natural coat colour.

Finishing Sprays/Coat Dressings:  These products contain a variety of ingredients designed to make the Poodle’s coat shine, as well as anti-static compounds to control flyaways and non-oil conditioners. 

They also help to repel dirt that would otherwise adhere to the coat, and many contain the necessary ultraviolet sunscreen. When no oil is desired on the Poodle’s coat, finishing spray is used during brushing and combing.

Other Dog Breeds That Have Hair, Not Fur

Here are some of the other popular breeds that have hair, rather than fur:

• Portuguese water dog
• Irish water spaniel
• Bearded Collie  
• Giant schnauzer
• Xoloitzcuintli (commonly referred to as the Xolo) and Peruvian Inca orchids are mostly hairless, but what they do grow is hair, not fur
• Bedlington terrier
• Kerry blue terrier
• Wirehaired fox terrier

Wrapping Up:

Despite our desire to believe that every dog has fur as a knee-jerk reaction, poodles do have hair. 

Their curly locks need a lot of care and upkeep, and they should be groomed on a regular basis. If the hair is well handled and cared for, the single layer of hair, rather than a double layer of fur, may benefit those with allergies.

Those with allergies to pet dander can appreciate the reduced shedding and dander emitted into the air.

But keep in mind that hair and fur are both made up of the same thing. Although the appearance, feel, and care requirements vary, they are scientifically equivalent.

References

• AVMA– Vet 
• The Everything Poodle Book (2004) by J.Adams
  Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (2014) by H. Bowler
  The Complete Standard Poodle (1998) by E. Geeson
  Cavapoos or Cavoodles: The Ultimate Cavapoo Dog Manual (2014) by G. Hoppendale
• Poodle Clipping and Grooming: The International Reference (2001) by S. Kalstone

For more about Poodles see our other articles below