Do Huskies Shed? (Revealed!)

An important part of choosing a dog is knowing whether the breed you want sheds or not. I am a big fan of huskies, and I always have been, so I when I was picking out a dog, I needed to know if a Husky would effect my allergies.

Do Huskies Shed?

Siberian Huskies shed a lot of fur. According to 48% of husky owners surveyed, they are extremely heavy shedders. Another 48% of owners (in the same survey) say huskies shed moderately. Huskies are longhaired and shed to help regulate their body heat temperature, mainly two times a year. You cannot shave a husky’s coat either. The best thing to do to help with shedding problems is to brush their coats once or twice a week.

Huskies are such a popular breed because of their fluffy coat, but it can lead to unwanted puppy hair everywhere. There are some things that you can do to minimize shedding.

Shedding

So, Siberian Huskies shed a ton. According to 48% of husky owners surveyed, they are extremely heavy shedders. Another 48% of owners (in the same survey) say huskies shed moderately. To read more on this survey, click here.

Either way, if you get a husky, he or she will shed. It’s just how this breed has evolved.

When I say heavy shedding, this means a trash bag or two full of dog hair. A bigger dog will have more than a smaller. If you have a mixed husky, the shedding may not be as extreme.

Shedding can be a problem for owners. Dogs that shed get hair all over the house. Huskies usually have white and black coats so it is noticable. They can also be a problem for those with allergies.

However, shedding is natural for Huskies and is just something that comes with owning the dog. There is actually some interesting reasons why huskies shed as much as they do.

Why Huskies Shed

It’s interesting that the hair that Huskies sheds is the undercoat, not the silky top layer of fur that you see.

Siberian Huskies were originally found in, you guessed it, Siberia. This northeastern region of the Asian continent is bitterly cold. Huskies, who are descended from wolves, had to adapt to live in such a wintery place.

So, Huskies have two layers in their coat. Their top coat, the part that us humans see, is long and comes in many colors. This top coat is what keeps the dog safe from the sun and dry.

They also have an undercoat. This undercoat is thick and fluffy. This is what keeps a Husky nice and warm.

With this double layer, huskies are able to live in negative 60-degree weather if needed.

Not only does the double layer keep them warm in the winter, but it also protects them from the heat in the warm months. This might seem crazy that the same fur that keeps a dog warm in the winter also keeps it cool.

Huskies may not be as thick and fluffy in the summer, just as a way to regulate their body temperature. They will shed more in preparation for a shift in the weather.

So, shedding comes when a new upper coat starts to grow in and pushes out the undercoat. This is called “blowing coat” most frequently. This is when shedding will be very heavy.

When Huskies Shed

Huskies will normally shed two times a year. They will shed in the spring and in the fall. When the shedding takes place, it will usually last 3 weeks.

This will be when a new coat is coming in to get rid of the other. This will be the time that those with allergies will have the hardest time with a husky.

There are some particular dogs in this breed who will shed all year round, unfortunately.

Huskies have adapted to live in all types of weather. However, since they are from the dog-sledding atmosphere of Siberia, some have a difficult time adapting to certain climates.

These climates are going to be places where it is warm all year round. So, if you live in a warmer region, you are more likely to experience a husky that sheds all the time. To be fair, it’s not just huskies, most dogs will shed in warm weather to adapt.

However, dogs that do shed all year round will typically not have as heavy of shedding all the time – which is good news.

Even if you do have a Husky that sheds at all times during the year, they are cute, lovable, and energetic dogs that are worth the fuss, right?

Abnormal Shedding

Sometimes, Huskies might be shedding too much. Not like a “are you kidding” too much but a serious concern type shedding. If you do not have a year-round shedding husky and he or she starts to lose a lot of hair not in season, there could be something wrong.

Dogs can lose hair when there isn’t a new coat to replace it, which can be a bit of a worry. It can be a symptom of something else taking place

Here are some cases when a husky will shed out of season:

• A parasite – mites, fleas, or lice (watch for a dog who is always itchy)
• Pregnancy or lactation – if your husky is not spayed check for this. 
• Reaction to a medication – Watch if new medication leads to itchiness or extra shedding
• Infection – fungal or bacterial
• Food allergies – Pay attention when you change dog food
• Liver, thyroid, kidney or adrenal disease
• Cancer
• Immune Disease
• Sunburn – Huskies that have been shaved are at extra risk for this

Sometimes all you will need to do is switch dog food. Sometimes it happens because your dog got put on a new medication.

If you notice excessive shedding, you can and probably should take your pup into the Vets, especially if you notice a change in personality as well.

It may not be anything, but it is always better to check if you are worried. Peace of mind is a beautiful thing.

These things are not especially common in Huskies, so you don’t have to be on high-alert. It’s just good to know ahead of time.

Tips for Shedding Season – Keep Your House from Being a Mess

There really is nothing you to do to your husky that will stop him or her from shedding. It’s natural, it’s right, it’s how they live.

There are no current special hybrids of Siberian Huskies that do not shed.

Like I mentioned earlier, it can be hard to deal with having pet hair on your couch cushions constantly. Huskies do shed in the spring, where allergens are already at a peak and having extra dander in the air can be really tough.

It’s also just a hassle to always have to sweep and vacuum every surface your dog has walked across or sat on for 3+ weeks. Huskies may seem impossible to have in the home after a while.

Don’t get discouraged.

There are some things that you can try to eliminate dog hair in the house when it is shedding season, things that husky owners swear by.

What to Do About Shedding

One of the best things that you can do for your husky (and for you) is to brush them regularly. There are some heavy-duty brushes on the market that collect the fur.

Brushing is not pulling out hair or cutting it. Brushes are used to get the loose hair out from being buried in the coat. Often hairs get tangled or matted together. Using a brush fixes this little problem. The hair will come out in pile instead of coming out all over the house.

When “blowing coat” is occurring, brush your Husky daily. This may seem like a lot but it will help hair from getting everywhere. It’s recommended that you brush your Husky for 30 minutes.

You should probably brush your Husky once a week otherwise.

The top-selling brush on Amazon is the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush. It has 4.5 stars and thousands of good reviews. Check it out if you want a great brush. It’s currently only $15.99 as well, and it will definitely get a lot of use.

Another thing that will help with shedding and dander around the house is vacuuming after brushing. Give your Husky a treat to distract him or her and vacuum the loose hair and the surrounding area to make sure there won’t be hair coming out when your dog starts running around.

Indoor Huskies might not shed as much because they don’t have to shed as much to regulate to the climate. If you don’t mind having an energetic dog in your house, try keeping your dog in a big area inside, like a basement.

Some owners recommend keeping a shedding pet outside, so the hair stays outside. You can also brush your dog outside, so you keep a lot of the hair out of the house as well.

Bathing your dog is a good way help with shedding. Use a good pet shampoo and really massage in into your Husky’s coat. This will get rid of dirt and some dead hair.

Rinse well and use a little bit of conditioner to make sure the skin is not dried out underneath the coat.

Don’t bathe a husky too often. Every month or so will be plenty.

Here are a great shampoo and conditioner combo – perfect for a husky. It’s an all natural brand and it has good reviews. You can make a one-time purchase or subscribe to the product if you love it already.

What Not to Do About Shedding

There are a couple of other things that you should avoid doing.

Do not cut or shave your dog’s hair. Don’t do it. Shaving your husky will hurt your dog.

The top coat of your dog is meant to protect your dog from the sun. Shaving or cutting this fur can lead to having a sunburned dog.

The second coat keeps a Husky’s body temperature regulated. If you shave this layer, your dog is more likely to have heat stroke or heat exhaustion. The undercoat is a layer of insulation, without it Huskies cannot keep themselves cool.

Shaving your dog will leave them unprotected for months. Just stick with brushing, it is a lot safer.

If you have allergies, do not let your puppy roam around in your bedroom. Having hair that you are allergic to in an area where you sleep is not a good idea. No matter how much you love your dog, no matter how much you like to snuggle, make sure you are not putting your health at risk.

Don’t cheap out on food. Cheap dog food is less likely to have the nutrients that your dog needs. Getting all the right vitamins and minerals will help your Husky not shed as much. Get dog food with real animal protein. Splurging, in this case, is important. Not all dog food is the same.

Also, don’t keep using the same dog food if your dog keeps losing hair and looks improperly nourished. It may not be “bad” dog food, just not the right one for your pup.

Lastly, don’t let some shedding discourage you from getting a Husky. Of course, for those who allergic, it is better to get a hypoallergenic dog. However, Huskies are great dogs and great with kids, so a little mess is definitely worth it.

Other Dogs that Shed a Lot

If you are allergic to dogs, or you are absolutely turned off by the idea of shedding, there are some other furry friends that you should put on your “no list” when you are deciding what dog to adopt.

Here are 10 other dogs that are known to shed:

1. Akitas – They come from a cold, mountainous area so, like Huskies, they have a thick double coat to keep them warm.
2. Cardigan Welsh Corgis – These small and friendly dogs have a double layer coat that will shed all year.
3. Belgian Sheepdogs – These hairy dogs will shed a lot too. All 4 breeds.
4. Bernese Mountain Dogs – Having adapted to live in the cold mountain tops, these beautiful beasts will no doubt shed all over.
5. Dalmatians – Even though Dalmatians have short hair, they will still shed.
6. Golden Retriever – You can tell just by petting one of these puppies that they shed a ton. There are hybrid retrievers that do not shed as much.
7. Chow Chow – Is it any surprise that these dogs shed? They will shed every day, so invest in a good brush.
8. Alaskan Malamute – Similar to Huskies, these dogs were sled-dogs so they have thick coats for the winter. They might be the dog breed that sheds the most.
9. German Shepherd – They blow coat two times a year, just like huskies, but often will shed year round.
10. German Shorthair Pointer – The name might make you think these puppies don’t shed – but they do!

Dogs That Don’t Shed

You might consider the list above dogs to avoid, if shedding is a big problem for you and your family.

Here is a quick list of dogs that have little to no shedding:

• Australian Terrier
• Dachshund (Wiener Dog)
• Italian Greyhound
• Shih Tzu
• Poodle
• Scottish Terrier
• Goldendoodle
• Labradoodle
• Whippet

These dogs are on the smaller size, generally than a Husky so, hopefully, there is a dog on this list that you can love.

These dogs are such great companions, especially to those who have allergies. I had a roommate in college that had a Scottish Terrier and she was just the sweetest thing.

All of these dogs will have different personalities, too. So if you are considering adopting a “hypoallergenic” dog, I would recommend researching personality traits and energy levels to make sure you have a dog that will thrive in your home.

Related Questions:

Do Huskies shed more than German Shepherds? German Shepherds and Huskies shed about the same. Both dog breeds have two main seasons when they shed, but depending on climate, they can both shed year round. Huskies however, have a thicker coat than German Shepherds.

Can Huskies be indoor dogs? Huskies are high-energy dogs and are known for being stubborn. They also shed a lot. If you do not mind dog hair and train your Husky well, you should have little to no problems with keeping him or her indoors.

How do I stop my Husky from shedding? There is nothing you can do to keep your Husky from shedding. The dog sheds to regulate body temperature. You can do things like brushing and bathing your dog to minimize shedding. Feeding your dog quality food will also lessen the amount of shedding.