If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting a Mastiff, the large animal is not one you’ll soon forget. The massive animal has an ancient, rich history, with evidence of the breed existing as far back as 2500 BCE. They came to North America on the Mayflower and are now popular pets for many pet parents.
The Mastiff stands 27.5 inches and weighs 120 to 130 pounds. The question on many potential pet parents’ minds is, does the Mastiff shed a lot? The Mastiff is an average shedder with a short, straight, coarse coat. You only need to brush your Mastiff once a week to remove dead hair; they don’t shed as much as other breeds.
Do Mastiffs Shed a Lot?
You can expect your Mastiff to shed once or twice every year with the seasonal changes. Of course, there will be a certain amount of shedding at all times, as with any dog, since it helps the dog cool off. You probably won’t find a ton of hair on your floors and carpeting, but during seasonal sheds, you may find it stuck to your furniture, carpet, and clothing.
So, if you’re looking for a massive dog that doesn’t shed much, the Mastiff is probably the right pet for you. If your Mastiff is shedding a lot, and you’re concerned, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed by your vet. We’ll talk about unnatural shedding in the section below.
What Are the Causes of Excessive Shedding?
There are many possible reasons why your Mastiff may be shedding excessively. If you feel that your dog is shedding excessively, first look at its hair. Does the skin under its fur look normal? Is the skin flaky, dry, or discolored? Does the Mastiff’s fur have a healthy sheen to it? If you think your Mastiff has a health issue with his fur, it’s best to contact your vet for an appointment to determine if there’s an underlying cause for the shedding. Here are some of the reasons your dog may be shedding excessively:
- Using the wrong shampoo/human shampoo
- An imbalanced diet
- Skin parasites
- Being in a stressful environment
- Hormone imbalances
- Tumors
- Other skin-related diseases
Can I Reduce or Control My Mastiff’s Shedding?
While Mastiffs don’t shed as much as some breeds, they do shed. While you can’t stop your dog from shedding, and it wouldn’t be healthy for your pet if you could, you can do a few things to reduce and control it.
- Find the right brush for your dog’s coat and brush each weekly
- Feed your Mastiff a healthy diet
- Use a de-shedding tool to remove tangles
- Keep your dog hydrated with plenty of fresh water
- Give your dog regular baths
What Are the Benefits of Managing Your Mastiff’s Shedding?
There are quite a few benefits to managing your Mastiff’s shedding. For one, the less the dog sheds, the less fur you’ll find on your furnishings and carpet. Taking the time to groom and brush your Mastiff is bonding time for you and your pet, which every pet parent and their furry friend needs. Brushing your pet regularly also lets you find bumps, bruises, parasites, and anything that could hurt your furry friend ahead of time so that you can make an appointment with your vet before the problem worsens.
In other words, the results of grooming your pet are a happy, healthy Mastiff, less fur in your home, and less shedding.
There are a lot of pet shampoos on the market, but not all of them will keep your pet's skin and coat happy and healthy. The Hepper Pet Shampoo products are pH balanced and made with natural, safe ingredients like soothing oatmeal and aloe vera. Our shampoos will keep your pet clean, smelling fresh, and fully moisturized! The hardest part is deciding whether to get to traditional shampoo or the rinse-free version! Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right option for your pet’s next bath!
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
For Bathing
|
Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo |
|
Check Price |
For Between Baths
|
Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo |
|
Check Price |
Final Thoughts
Mastiffs are massive dogs that will drool everywhere, but they only shed an average amount. They shed the most during the change of seasons, so you don’t have to worry about finding clumps of fur all over the house for the rest of the year. If you think your pet is shedding excessively, you need to contact your vet in case there’s an underlying cause. To reduce shedding, it’s best to follow the tips above and maintain a routine grooming schedule.
Featured Image Credit: Kat_marinina, Shutterstock
