One of the factors that was important to you when choosing a dog was how much they shed. You don’t want to chase your canine friend around each day with a vacuum cleaner, sucking up tufts of fur. If you’re thinking of getting a Boston Terrier, you may be curious about their propensity for shedding. Do they shed a lot and why does it happen?
Boston Terriers shed to clear out dead hair so they can grow more. They’re like many other dog breeds in this regard. As for how much they shed, the Terrier loses very little fur. They’re even considered hypoallergenic.
To you, it’s great news that the Boston Terrier doesn’t shed much. Still, you have some more questions, like whether you can reduce shedding even further and, if so, how. In this article, we’ll explain more about why Boston Terriers shed and if there’s anything you can do to stop it.
Why Do Boston Terriers Shed?
There isn’t some big, mysterious reason as to why Boston Terriers shed. They’re trying to get rid of dead hair or fur to make room for more.
Every dog does the same, although how much fur they lose varies by breed. As we explained in the intro, Terriers aren’t big shedders. The reason for this has to do with the texture and composition of their coat.
Dogs can have either a single coat or two coats. The canines with two coats or a double coat have an undercoat and a top coat. The undercoat boasts a thicker texture designed to provide the dog with insulation. It also makes your dog look super fluffy. The top coat consists of guard hairs. When you pet your dog, you feel its top coat.
Some dog breeds have adapted over time with an undercoat, such as the Samoyed. This coat kept them warm in the frigid Siberian tundra, but it also leads to terrible shedding. In fact, the Samoyed is known as one of the worst shedders out there.
Getting back to Boston Terriers, this breed doesn’t have an undercoat, only the top coat. Guard hairs grow back at a much slower rate than the undercoat, taking maybe a year to reclaim their former length. For that reason, they shouldn’t come out quite as easily, leading to less shedding.
Due to their low shedding quotient, Boston Terriers are considered hypoallergenic. This means the dog is less likely to trigger allergic symptoms in their human owners.
How Much Does a Boston Terrier Shed?
You’re never going to find clump of dog hair on your couch or living room floor with a Boston Terrier. (At least, you shouldn’t. If you do, please call a vet.) Still, at certain times of the year, they can admittedly shed worse than others.
The first of these times is during the spring. This is popular shedding season for dogs. The weather has turned warmer and so your pup is transitioning from their winter coat to their spring one. Then, in the autumn, expect a little worse shedding from your Boston Terrier.
Another factor that can play a role in how much your Boston Terrier sheds is the dog themselves. Some Terrier owners report their dog sheds moderately while others note their canine companion never sheds.
Since the fur of a Boston Terrier is short and not very fluffy or thick, it’s not such an eyesore if any lingers around your house. It’s also easy enough to clean up.
Is There Any Way to Minimize Shedding?
If your Boston Terrier is in the former camp where they shed more than desired, you don’t have to live with a mess all the time. Instead, you might want to try one or more of these methods, as they can lessen shedding in Terriers.
Keep Them Unstressed
Stress isn’t good for man or dog. While your Boston Terrier doesn’t have to deal with the daily rigors of human life, certain events can stress them out and make them more prone to shedding. These include bringing new animals into the home, losing another pet, having a baby, or moving into a new home.
The above life events are unavoidable, but keeping your Boston Terrier healthy (with playing and exercising) and happy (lots of one-on-one time and snuggles) can minimize their stress. That should control their shedding as well.
Bathe Regularly
To encourage the dead hair cells to come out on their own, make sure you plunk your Boston Terrier in the tub or sink about monthly for a bath. Make sure you’re using a shampoo and conditioner that’s formulated for dogs.
Brush Often
While it’s true you might not have a dog that sheds heavily, every breed can benefit from a good brushing. It’s recommended you get into the habit of combing out your Boston Terrier twice weekly. If your dog is one of those who likes getting a good brushing, then feel free to do it every other day or so.
Like bathing, your dog brush can shake out the lose fur on your Boston Terrier. Not only that, but with how closely you study your pup’s coat, if they happen to get infested with ticks or fleas, you’ll spot it right away.
Check Their Diet
You might not have expected diet to play a role in how often your Boston Terrier sheds, but it absolutely does. If your dog doesn’t get enough omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids as well as fat fibers, and protein, their coat won’t be in its best shape. A dog coat in poor condition might be more likely to shed.
Keep Them Hydrated
Besides feeding them a healthier diet, you also want to make sure your Boston Terrier has access to water all day long. This should always be clean and fresh. By staying hydrated, your pup will not only maintain the health of their coat, but their skin as well.
Consider a Vaccination
If none of the above works for their shedding, you might want to bring your Boston Terrier to your vet. Not only should your dog receive regular vet care and check-ups, but it’s possible the veterinarian can do something more. For instance, they could vaccinate your dog against diseases that could lead to excessive shedding.
Tips for Grooming Your Boston Terrier
Do you plan on brushing your Boston Terrier for the first time? You might not be sure where to start with their grooming. Luckily, Terriers are a far lower-maintenance breed compared to dogs that shed a lot. You won’t have to spend hours brushing your Boston Terrier, which is great for both dog and human.
Here are some grooming tips to make this process as simple as possible:
• Use the right brush for the job. A brush with natural bristles is one such option, as is one with firmer bristles. You do not want to pick any ol’ hairbrush you have lying around in your bedroom.
• Go ultra easy when brushing. Since Boston Terriers don’t have a very thick top coat, they’re susceptible to skin tearing if you brush too roughly. They’re not like to have knots in their fur, so there’s no need to overdo it.
• Try a hound glove, a type of rubber glove with bumps all over the palm. This can smooth your Boston Terrier’s fur while gently forcing out some dead hair. You can use the hound glove on its own or follow it up after a brushing session.
Conclusion
Boston Terriers shed to get rid of dead hair. As a single-coated breed, Terriers don’t shed nearly as much as canines with double coats. Further making your life easier is that the Boston Terrier has short, neat fur that’s not a headache to clean up.
While it’s normal to expect more shedding than usual in the spring or autumn, otherwise, the shedding should be very manageable. If yours isn’t, it could be your Boston Terrier is stressed, dehydrated, or not eating the right diet.
With regular grooming and bathing, you can keep your Boston Terrier’s shedding under control. Best of luck!
Author Nicole Malczan