Do Pointers Shed?

Dog hair can certainly be a nuisance, so it’s important to ask whether pointers shed or not. When choosing a dog, it can be helpful to know what kind of dog hair situation you’re getting yourself and your family in to.

Pointers are considered to be light to medium shedders. English and wirehaired pointers shed lightly; German shorthaired pointers shed a medium amount. Weekly brushing and occasional baths should keep the shedding to a minimum for pointers.

It’s a well-known fact that dogs shed, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. Pointers are fantastic dogs and can be a great choice for your family despite the shedding. There are always things you can do to be proactive in keeping your home clean, your dog healthy, and your life generally hair-free.

Pointers Shedding

Pointers have short, fine hair that’s smooth against their body. Pointers don’t shed as much as a lot of other dog breeds; however, they still do shed. They are considered average shedders and are easy to groom.

Their hair typically includes a mix of white and some other darker colored hair. This means that you can have dog hair showing up on white and black articles of clothing. It’s unfortunate but true.

Pointer shedding is not excessive and can differ slightly between breeds. Even though they shed they don’t have demanding grooming requirements. But, they do have some. Experts say that it’s best to brush your pointer at least once a week to promote skin and hair health.

The brushing also gets rid of loose hair before it can cover your home. They also recommend giving your pointer baths as often as needed. Regular attention also needs to be given to other important grooming tasks such as nail, ear, and teeth care.

Pointers are rather rambunctious when it comes to getting them to sit still for grooming. If you train them as puppies to get used to the process, then they will be happy and willing to cooperate when the time comes for grooming.

Consistency is key when it comes to controlling your pointer’s shedding. When they’re young, it’ll require a lot of patience; however, as they age, grooming will be no problem at all and will save you from having to constantly clean up dog hair.

Sometimes people look to crossbreeds to solve their pointer shedding problems, but there is no way to get rid of a dog’s shedding 100%. Dogs need to shed their dead hair just like we do. We lose hair all the time and don’t think twice about it.

Overall, pointers aren’t terrible shedders, and there are plenty of ways to keep their hair in control and to help your house stay clean longer.

The Difference in Shedding Between the Pointer Breeds

A common occurrence among the breeds is that the heaviest shedding throughout the year comes at two times: spring and fall. Shedding does continue throughout the year, but it definitely gets worse during those times of the year.

The table above helps to demonstrate the subtle differences between some different pointer breeds and their hair types. Shedding behavior is connected to the type of hair that each breed has.

English Pointers

English pointers have very fine and short hair, hair that is typically white. They have spots all over their bodies that can include colors like liver, lemon, orange, and black; however, the base color is almost always white.

These dogs do shed, but only lightly. They will require occasional brushing with a recommendation of brushing at least once a week. Not only does brushing help you, but it’s also good for your dog.

German Shorthaired Pointers (GSP)

German shorthaired pointers shed a tad heavier than English and wirehaired pointers do, but they still don’t shed a ton when compared to other dog breeds.

It is recommended that you brush GSPs once or twice a week. They have a bit longer fur, but it’s still considered short and relatively fine. German shorthaired pointers don’t have as much variety in their coat colors. They are almost always a combination of equal parts of white and liver/brown.

It’s ultimately up to you how often you brush your pointer. Do what’s best for you and your individual circumstances.

Wirehaired Pointers

Wirehaired pointers have a bit longer hair than the other two breeds mentioned, but the hair is more coarse and stronger. The hair doesn’t fall as often, and most of the time it gets caught in the thick coarse strands of the other hair and doesn’t make it to the ground.

This may seem great, but it also means that you’ll have to spend more time brushing your wirehair when the time comes. It is only recommended that you brush them occasionally or as needed, but owners say that it’s better to brush them consistently to avoid too much hair build up.

Brushing your Wirehaired will go a long way to keeping your house clean of hair and help to promote a healthy and shiny coat.

Grooming for a Healthy Pointer

If you want to minimize how much your pointer’s shedding affects you, it’s important to get in a regular routine of grooming. For shedding specifically, it’s extremely helpful to brush them regularly.

As was discussed above, the pointer breeds differ slightly on how much they shed. In general, you should brush your pointer with a firm bristle brush or a rubber mitt once a week (at least) to get rid of the loose hair.

You can find great options for both of these brushes on Amazon.com. For a firm bristle brush option, you can try the one I’ve linked here.

I prefer using the rubber mitt because it’s easier to handle and, honestly, more fun. The rubber mitt fits over your hand literally like a glove because that’s what it is. Your kids can easily use it, and the only thing they have to do is pet the pointer.

If you want to try out the rubber mitt, I’ve linked one here that would be a great option for pointers!

Brushing your dog promotes healthy hair and skin. When you brush your pointer, you are removing dead hair and helping to spread their natural oils throughout the hair and skin. This helps them to stay healthy and have a shiny and smooth coat.

It’s good to remember that brushing, bathing, and taking care of the pesky and tedious pet grooming procedures can help your pointer as well as you. Your pointer will have a happier and healthier life when these basic necessities are met, and you’ll have a healthy and good looking dog.

The more routine these procedures become, the easier and less tedious they will feel. Trust me, they’re all worth it!

Grooming Pointer Puppies

Just like with anything else associated with pointers, it’s important to train them from puppyhood on how to act when being groomed. Pointer puppies (and adults) who aren’t used to the grooming process will not want to cooperate.

Grooming is so much more than just brushing your pointer and giving them the occasional bath. Here is a list of what general grooming for your pointer should look like:

• Brushing
• Bathing
• Nail Clipping
• Ear Cleaning
• Teeth Cleaning

Brushing

Brushing your pointer will take you leaps and bounds down the path towards shedding control.

For all pointers, it is generally suggested that owners give them a good brushing once a week. For wirehaired pointers, you may not need to be as vigilant; you can try extending it to once every two weeks depending on your individual dog and how happy you are with the amount of shedding.

To keep your house from collecting too much loose hair while you brush your pointer, try going outside for this activity. You could even send your kids outside with the dog to play with them and brush them.

The great thing about brushing your pointer is that it’s one of the easier grooming tasks. It feels good and is very effective for removing unwanted hair.

Brushing your pointer will not only get rid of the excess dead hair but help to keep their skin and hair healthy. The natural oils that are found on your dog’s skin are easily distributed and spread throughout your dog’s coat when they’re brushed. This helps to give your pointer a shinier and healthier coat!

There are many benefits to brushing your pointer, but the one people seem to gravitate towards most is to reduce the negative effects of shedding in their lives.

It seems that pointers shed the heaviest in the fall and spring, so it’s important that you have a routine to counteract that particular type of shedding each year.

Bathing

Many people think about brushing their dog as the best way to minimize shedding, but a good bath can also help. Pointers should be given a bath as needed. There are no minimum requirements, but there definitely are some maximum ones.

It’s important to never over-bathe your pointer because it can strip the oils from their skin. Their skin can become dry and cracked which is painful and uncomfortable for your dog. Dogs weren’t mean to shower every day as we tend to.

They don’t even need a bath weekly. A lot of owners will give their pointers a bath once a month or less depending on the individual needs and activity level of the dog. It’s up to your discretion, but do not go overboard!

When you do give your pointer a bath, it’s important to be calm and encouraging. Baths can be scary or cause anxiety in dogs that aren’t used to it. Be patient and firm.

Since pointers have such fine coats, it’s recommended to get a gentle dog shampoo. Consult your veterinarian to find out what kind is best for your individual dog.

Tip: Try using a rubber mitt (used for brushing your dog) in the bath to help remove excess hair and give your dog a soothing massage.

Giving your dog a bath can really help get rid of a lot of loose hair. Using a brush during the process can help ensure that most of the dirt and dead hair is washed out. Maybe try giving your pointer a bath at the worst point of the fall and spring shedding times.

They’ll be shedding more than usual, and it can be helpful to give them a bath at optimal times to help get rid of all the hair that they’re losing.

Many owners choose to wash their dogs in the bathtub inside, but another good option during the summer may be to wash your pointer in a kiddie pool out back.

A few downsides to this option are that they can get away, get distracted, and quickly get dirty again quickly once they’re set free. I know my dog wants to roll in anything she can find once she’s released from the bath, so I usually keep her inside until she’s completely dry.

Your preferences will differ depending on where you’re located and what options are available to you.

If you do wash your dog inside in the tub, it’s important to wash your bathtub after. The hair can build up and surround your tub in an unflattering and dirty ring.

That’s not a pleasant thing to have around you when you’re taking a shower and trying to get yourself clean. A quick rinse or even a deep clean can go a long way to keep harmony between the dog’s grooming and your own.

Nail Clipping

Clipping your pointer’s nails won’t do anything to help them shed less, but it’s very important in the overall care of your dog.

Nail clipping is essential because long nails can break or tear making walking a painful task for your pointer. You want their nails to be kept short and neat.

Pointers are very active and having long nails while running or walking on hard surfaces can be really damaging. Nail care is a big part of keeping your pointer happy and healthy.

Ear Cleaning

Ear cleaning is another grooming task not related to shedding, but it needs to be done.

Cleaning pointers’ ears is also an important task when it comes to grooming routines. Pointers have characteristically floppy ears which makes it hard to get air flowing through them consistently.

This little physical characteristic of theirs can lead to ear infections which are dangerous and painful. It’s best to avoid them instead of waiting to treat them.

Your pointer won’t be a fan of this activity, but if you start them early, they will quickly get used to it.

Teeth Cleaning

Teeth cleaning is not as popular a grooming practice as nails and ears, but it is vital. You want to keep your pointer’s teeth clean to avoid infection or disease. Consult your veterinarian for proper methods of cleaning your pointer’s teeth.

You will also want to talk with your vet on the best ways to trim your dog’s nails and clean their ears. Veterinarians can recommend products and processes that are safe for you and your pointer.

The key to easy and stress-free grooming for your pointer (and any dog for that matter) is to start them as puppies. If you take the time to work with them as puppies then they will be much calmer and more willing to work with you as they grow.

Having your pointer from puppyhood can be a great advantage when it comes to grooming. You’ll be able to train them on how to act when they’re being groomed and that will, in turn, make it so that shedding is a small problem in your household instead of a major one!

That’s what I call a win-win scenario especially since puppies are so susceptible to teaching and are always eager to please!

Here’s a video from Standing Stone Kennels that helps to demonstrate how to get your pointer puppy used to getting their nails clipped and ears cleaned.

It requires tons of patience as well as a lot of stopping and starting, but the more consistent you are, the better off you’ll be for future grooming sessions. Don’t be discouraged if you try everything demonstrated in the video and you’re still having to fight your puppy for these tasks.

Don’t despair. This is a long process, but the more consistent and gentle you are with them, the faster they’ll catch on and learn what is expected.

Puppies can be determined and frustrating. Time is key when it comes to any kind of training. Be prepared to fight a few battles. The rewards will certainly extend long-term and outweigh any grief you feel during the actual training.

Pointer Cross Breeds and Shedding

Shedding is a big topic of discussion when potential owners are in the market for a new dog. Many people go in search of crossbreeds of several dogs in hopes of getting one that doesn’t shed much or is considered “hypoallergenic”.

Pointers don’t shed an obscene amount, to begin with, but two pointer breed mixes that have shown lighter shedding are the Pudelpointer and the Boingle.

Neither one of these crossbreeds have a perfect track record for not dropping hair, but they have the same general shedding behavior as an English pointer does.

Pudelpointers

Pudelpointers are a mix between the classic “no shed” breed, poodles, and a pointer. Breed mixes are tricky and you never know what you’re really going to get in terms of inherited genes and traits; however, it is recognized that the Pudelpointer sheds like a pointer.

I’m sure this mix happened in hopes that shedding would decrease dramatically, but owners of this breed see light shedding.

The grooming recommendations are the same as an English and German Shorthaired pointer; they should be brushed at least once a week and given a bath as needed.

This breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Boingles

Boingles are a cross between a pointer and a beagle. I thought the name was a little strange, but it’s definitely fun to say.

Boingles are no closer to being a shed-free dog than the Pudelpointer is. This breed has a recommendation to brush daily. They shed an average amount and also only require baths when needed.

The moral of the story is that even crossing a pointer with the most recognized light-shedding dog breeds won’t eliminate the shedding problem.

It never comes out perfectly how you want it to when it comes to crossbreeding. It’s better to accept that having a pet typically will always come with the added bonus of shedding.

The thing that you can always control is how you handle the hair, which can help life be just as good as if your pointer did have the ability to never shed. Wouldn’t that be nice?

The best way to counteract shedding in a pointer is just to make grooming a routine. It’s not difficult and they don’t require a lot of attention, but it’s better to get rid of the hairs before they become a problem that builds up in your home.

Hypoallergenic Pointer Breeds

The title of this section is a bit confusing given what I’m about to tell you. You may have already come to this conclusion after our discussion about the pointer crossbreeds, but it needs to be said: no pointer breed is truly hypoallergenic.

A lot of people go in search of hypoallergenic dog breeds so that they can have the best of both worlds: a loving family dog while not suffering from allergies brought on by pet dander.

This isn’t realistic if you’re very sensitive. All pointers shed and, therefore, drop dander throughout the house. Pointers shed less than a lot of other dog breeds, but they shed enough to cause really sensitive individuals problems.

Of course, there are ways to protect you and your family from too many allergens while still having a loving dog as a part of the family.

If you want some more information, check out this article: Are Pointers Hypoallergenic? Tips for Families with Allergies that includes some great information about living with allergies with a pointer.

Tips for Keeping Your Home Hair-Free

The best tip I can give you for keeping hair from building up in your home is to simply invest in a good vacuum.

I wish there was a magical solution, but a good vacuum can go a long way to keeping your place clean and you feeling good about it.

It may seem like a really taxing thing to have to dedicate so much time to keeping your house clean, but not as much time is needed as you think. Vacuuming your floors once a week can go a long way to making you feel better.

Some owners have invested in the robot vacuums on the market today. You are able to program them and let them loose on the house throughout the day.

Keeping your floors hair free doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money, though. The simple act of brushing your dog makes it so that less hair is being tracked into the house in the first place. After that crucial step is taken, it’s not hard to clean up the strays that fly loose.

Some DIY hacks that I’ve seen out there also include getting your broom a little damp (or washcloth) and using that on your floors to collect those finicky and hard to catch dog hairs.

Another thing that’s popular among busy dog owners is having a lint roller in your home and car. It’s easy to catch stray hairs on the couch or on your clothes when you have a lint roller handy! A quick brush-down can eliminate the problem in seconds, and they’re not expensive to buy!

It may also be beneficial to make parts of your home off-limits for the dog. This may include bedrooms and couches if you’re really concerned about the spread of hair.

Remember that there is always going to be a chance of dog hair making their way into those rooms being carried in on shoes or clothes, but it will be a lot less than if the dog was lounging in there 24/7.

The number one thing you should get out of this post on shedding is how helpful it is to brush your dog. It’s the easiest and most effective task. I wish life always worked out that the simplest thing you can do it the best thing you can do!

Make it a routine that you brush your pointer at least once a week, and you will see a significant decrease in loose hairs around your home. Brushing outdoors will help keep hair out of the house more than anything else.

Pointers are very loving creatures; they prefer to be living in your home with your family. They want to be around you interacting and living life. This is a great thing about them. Making sure they’re groomed well can make that lifestyle a reality without too many shedding consequences.

Yes, pointers shed, but that doesn’t have to mean that they aren’t the right choice for you. Being proactive and developing routines can go a long way to making shedding less of a problem than one might think.