Your Dogo Argentino has a smooth and short white coat that sheds regularly. However, their shedding is less noticeable compared to long-haired dog breeds. The breed shouldn’t be labeled as hypoallergenic with the amount of fur they take off. In fact, no dog is.
Also, there may be times when your Dogo sheds more than usual. This could be a sign of concern, and knowing the possible causes will help you treat the problem correctly. Learn everything about this Argentinian dog’s shedding tendencies and more through today’s post.
How Much Do Dogo Argentinos Shed?
The Dogo Argentino sheds a fair amount. This can be problematic if you suffer from dog allergies. If your Dogo is well taken care of, they will be less likely to shed heavier than expected as it would mean they have healthy skin and coat.
The advantage of having a short-haired dog, though, is that they’re easy to groom. Also, minimizing the presence of stray fur on your couch is achievable by doing specific steps such as:
- Vacuuming.
- Installing HEPA air filters.
- Limiting your dog’s areas.
Why Do Dogo Argentinos Shed?
Shedding is a normal process for dogs and other animals with fur or hair; in fact even humans do. A recurring cycle of letting go and regrowing hair helps maintain a healthy coat for your Dogo Argentino puppy.
There are 4 stages that occur in this entire shedding system, and being familiar with each phase will help you understand better why your four-legged dog has to let go of their old coat constantly:
- Anagen: This is considered the growth phase. The fur grows at a specific length that’s genetically predetermined.
- Catagen: The growth period is over by this stage. The hair is cut off from the blood supply and cells that help it grow. Catagen lasts around 10 days.
- Telogen: The hair rests for at least 3 months while a new hair develops underneath it.
- Exogen: The old hair is pushed out and released from the follicles. A new hair then starts to emerge.
4 Ways to Minimize Your Dogo Argentino’s Shedding
There’s no way you can totally stop your Dogo Argentino from shedding. This is why hypersensitive owners can’t risk having this dog, as their shedding rate isn’t low at all. Plus, the breed is large, which means you may have to deal with more hair compared to a shedding pooch that is as small as a Chihuahua.
There are ways to minimize it, though, luckily. The amount of fur present in your home can be changed drastically if you follow these 4 practical ways to combat your dog’s heavy shedding:
1. Weekly Brushing
At a minimum, a Dogo Argentino needs to be brushed weekly. But once the shedding season starts, you may have to run the bristle brush more frequently, around 2-3 times each week.
A deshedding tool can also be used so you can rake all the hair that is about to fall out. This grooming tool has tiny metal blades that penetrate deep into your dog’s coat. It’s an absolute must-have, especially when they’re shedding a lot.
2. Regular Bathing
Baths can help a lot as well. This removes the loose and dead fur on your Dogo’s coat after a brushing session. Ideally, the Argentinian breed should be washed every 3 months, but you can run the water in the tub if they start to get dirty, considering they have a white coat.
Be careful not to overwash them, however. Too frequent use of products on their skin and coat can lead to skin dryness as chemicals strip off their natural oils.
3. High-Quality Diet
Dogo parents need to realize how important diet is when it comes to shedding. A Dogo Argentino that eats low-quality meals is more likely to shed in high levels compared to the other dog that receives complete and balanced nutrition enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids.
Whatever the dog eats, their overall health is reflected in their outward appearance. Healthy meals prevent your Dogo from having weak and brittle fur. On top of that, the shedding will occur at a normal phase and not irregularly.
4. Essential Supplements
Adding supplements to their diet will ensure that they get the needed nutrients that they may not have gained from their main meal. This can also be added into your Dogo’s feeding bowl if the vet finds out they’re low in certain nutrients or vitamins.
The most common supplements for dogs are those that are rich in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which can be available in liquid, powder, or treat forms.
6 Reasons Why Dogo Argentinos May Shed More
There are 6 reasons why your Dogo Argentino may shed more. Know all the possible causes, so you’ll be equipped better in case over-shedding occurs:
1. Season
All dogs, including your Dogo puppy, shed more during spring and fall seasons. Their bodies have to adjust to the changing temperature. That means during spring, your canine will have to let go of their winter jacket in preparation for the warmer months.
Meanwhile, during fall, the summer coat will have to be replaced with a thicker one to keep them warm during winter.
2. Stress
A sudden change in routine, like moving from one house to another, can cause stress to your dog. When this happens, they’ll try to comfort themselves in specific ways, such as overgrooming. This, in turn, causes abnormal shedding.
3. Allergies
Diet-related shedding is a result of food allergies. This often happens when you suddenly switch brands concerning commercial dog food. PetMD suggests that introducing new dog food should be done gradually.
If your Dogo doesn’t show signs of an upset stomach, you can offer another small portion along with their old food in their next meal.
4. Use of Products
There’s a reason why dog parents shouldn’t use their products on their dogs. Invest in dog-appropriate shampoo and conditioner to maintain the normal pH balance of your dog’s skin.
Not doing so can cause reactions such as losing their fur abundantly.
5. Medication
Depending on what it is, shedding can occur if your Dogo is under medication. Long-term use of steroids or a high dosage can trigger fur loss. It’s the same if you use topical flea treatment products.
Also, regarding health, a Dogo with hypothyroidism may experience hair loss or thin fur. Getting them treated can reverse these effects.
6. Mites
Mites and other parasites are other culprits of hair loss, too. They may damage an affected area, leading to weak hair, hair loss, patchy and bald spots, and inflammation, according to Dr. Jangi Bajwa.
Can You Shave a Dogo Argentino?
It’s not the best idea to shave your Dogo Argentino. After all, their coat is there for a reason. It gives them protection against the sun’s harsh rays and adds warmth when the environment gets cold.
Also, shaving may cause long-term or irreversible damages to your dog’s coat. Some report their canine’s coat has grown brittle or dull after getting it shaved and despite giving it years to grow back to normal, there has been no changes in its appearance and texture.
