Maltipoo is a mixed breed of Maltese and poodle. Regarding the question of the topic that if Maltipoos shed or not? That being said that YES, this breed sheds but way too little as compared to other breed’s ton of fur. Let’s dig into the history and its relevance with the shedding.
How allergy is to shedding?
This type of breed was created by the Americans for the allergic keepers. Major allergic reactions occur due to the proteins in the dog’s saliva, dander, and urine. Although they shed a little still there are chances to catch allergies from the other sources if you are extremely allergic. This dog is considered hypo-allergic which means that overall the severity of the symptoms would be less. That is why it is different from the other dogs and well-tolerated by allergic people. Sometimes the allergic reactions are left undiscovered and begin after bringing the dog home. In that case, you should first interact with the bud you going to adopt.
Causes of shedding:
There are some environmental as well as genetic causes of the shedding. The most common cause of shedding is the compulsively licking of the anxious dog by itself in neurodermatitis. The uncontrolled licking gets to a point where there is no coat left and the bare skin is exposed to infection.
Apart from this, some medical disorders can also lead to excessive shedding. Sunburn, stress, fungal infections, and parasites are some of these issues. Also, due to thyroid imbalance, there can be some hormonal issues. it causes brittle hair and inflamed skin which can also relate to shedding.
- Alopecia
- Flea allergy
- Hypothyroidism
- Dermatitis
- Acanthosis nigricans
If there is a sudden and great shedding rate of your pet and the condition gets worsen then you should consult with the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Demand of attention and care:
Generally, the behavior of the dog depends on the environment and the nature of its caretaker. In the case of Maltipoo, the situation is unique. They are very caring, affectionate, and friendly and can sleep in the laps of the owners peacefully. They like attention very much and require proper skincare. If proper time and concentration are not given then this breed might suffer from shedding of fur.
Shedding time of year:
There are both natural and environmental factors affecting the shedding of the Maltipoo. Shedding is a natural process and you can control it but there is no way to cease it. There can be other multiple reasons for shedding that can be restricted. As there is a proper time of everything happening around the dog. From its treat time to bath time, playtime to a sleep schedule, everything is fixed. The shedding of the dog’s fur is also included in this series of events. The rate of shedding may increase or decrease but it depends on the type of weather the dog is experiencing.
Shedding seasons:
Switching from winters to summers or the other way around is a drastic change for humans and dogs as well. The extreme effect of the seasonal changes is observed on their thickness of fur. With the transition from winter to summer and again from summer to winter, dogs’ fur shed more than normal. At this time of the year, the dog is already shedding a lot so there is no room for the new coats. Also, a lot of care and grooming is required to avoid environmental situations escalating the shedding problems and to keep them fit and healthy.
Life stages and shedding:
Aging is an inevitable and unstoppable process. It can’t be denied at any level of life. Nobody gives a thought to the fact that there is a very deep relation of shedding with the age of the pup. A puppy does not shed like an adult dog. They start shedding the puppy coat while maturing and continue to do so throughout the adulthood period. There will be more shedding than normal when they start to age. More attention and concern are required by the dogs at this point in life.
What coat has to do with Maltipoo’s shedding of fur:
Even though they don’t shed fur much but if owners are neglecting it then the joke is on them. Naturally, the coat pushes out the damaged hair and is replaced with the new hair which is quite noticeable. But if you are brushing the Maltipoo’s hair in its growing stage then the shedding would be almost non-existent. Typically if you have to place them in a category then they would fill in the low shedders.
Growth of coats:
There are growth cycles of the coats during the shedding phase. Mostly this phase occurs at the end of the year and you will see your room with sprinkled dead hair. In double-coated there is seasonal huge shedding of the hair but as this breed doesn’t have an undercoat so there is minimal shedding around the year. The time and amount of shedding can vary in the same breed.
Appearance and type of coats:
Maltipoos have four appendages with light fur. Mostly Maltipoo’s are white but black, brown, and red can be found too. The fur can be silky or wavy. Which color you select while adopting it is your choice but the type of fur has a great effect on the amount of fur shed daily.
Stress and Shedding:
Although it is a dog, Maltipoo can also get stressed sometimes. Emotional changes can lead to hair loss, just like humans. Hence, If you are not getting the reason behind excess shedding then it might be due to Stress. This stress can be because of changing home or the death of any loved one. In this situation, try to keep the dog happy, spend some quality time with it, go on the regular walk, and take care of all the other stuff as well.
Maltipoos pedigree
As we know that Maltipoo’s are a mixed breed of Maltese and poodle. Both parents are fewer shedders. Pedigree depends on the family tree of how much they have been cross-bred with each other. If they have been bred back to back with poodle then the puppies are more likely to have genes of this type. If the backcrossing kept on going with the same pattern then the shedding will be non-existent in a short time.
Shedding in parent breeds:
Both parents of this breed, Maltese and poodle are low shedders, that is why the fur of Maltipoo is also not sprinkled all around.
Genetics and shedding:
Maltipoo exhibits the characteristics of both the parents. If it has inherited the coat genes from Maltese then they will shed at a minimal rate. In the other case if poodle genes dominate then the shedding will be almost none. And if the combination is in between then the fall will be somewhere in the middle of the two.
Does diet slows or helps to shed:
A balanced diet is very important for an active dog. You should be very careful and concerned about the feed given to your energetic Maltipoo. Many brands have processed food specifically for the Maltipoo breed. If you are unable to reach them then be selective about the food collected from the available dog markets. The diet must contain a good amount of carbohydrates, proteins, and a low quantity of fats.
Fur shedding and feed:
Nutrition plays a very decisive role in the shedding of fur. Very prominent changes can be observed if there is a lack of balanced nutrition. You will see more dandruff than normal and the fur might get brittle and dry. This fragility of hair causes more shedding.
Feeding:
The quality and quantity of the food depend on your dog’s age, size, daily activities, and metabolism. You can’t feed every breed the same amount. The recommended daily quantity for the adult Maltipoo is 5/8 to 1.5 cups of refined food divided into two times meals. This meal can be supplemented with leafy vegetables and cooked chicken. Do not provide them free feed as it might get them into metabolic and indigestion problems.
Does Grooming have something to do with the shedding of the Maltipoos?
Routine grooming is an essential and necessary point regarding your dog’s health and long life. Despite the coating nature, whether it is curly, wavy, or straight, brushing and bathing can never be ignored.
Brushing aggravates shedding? Yes or no?
Brushing is really important in fact if you don’t want to catch an allergy from your Maltipoo and to spread the dander all over the house. Regular brushing keeps the top coat clean and increases blood circulation. If the code is not brushed regularly, the hair will get tangled and this will cause more shedding. Whereas, regular brushing will keep the coat smooth and untangled as a result of which there will be no or very less shedding. Also, this is the perfect time to watch for any cuts or infected spots. Brushing multiple times a month and at least 4 times per week is necessary for any type of coat.
Relation of bathing with shedding:
To keep your dog free of allergies, fleas and to remove dander and pollen bathing is very beneficial. Rinsing after every 8 weeks is required to ensure a clean and healthy coat. Air drying a wet dog is also important as the wandering wet dog is not appealing for both of you. Also do not use a blow dry at a high level as it would burn the skin.
Combating shedding problems :
There are many reported mistakes regarding grooming and maintaining the dog’s shedding problems. The owners go sensitive regarding their health and as a result, do more harm than good. The most common mistakes are:
Using the wrong brush:
Even though brushing regularly is necessary but it might irritate your dog’s skin and causes itchiness. Not brushing before bathing will also cause tangling and hair loss. You can’t use the same brush for German shepherd and Maltipoo. It varies from the skin and coat type. A curly-coated dog needs only a standard brush and a dog with flowy-haired requires a slicker brush.
Keeping the dog hydrated:
Dehydration is one of the key causes of hair loss. So, a Maltipoo can shed more than normal if its water requirement is incomplete. A dog should drink water according to its weight as one ounce of water is recommended for every pound.
Using a shedding tool:
You can choose any sharing tool that can remove dead hairs from inside the coat of the dog. it can be a stainless steel tine or a specially designed brush.
Excess of shampoo:
A bath with perfect balanced pH shampoo in luke-warm water is the ideal choice. If the shampoo is not of the right pH then it will dry the hair up and causes brittleness. Also, regular bathing removes the dead hair from the dog coat. Using the shedding shampoos containing omega-3 fatty acid can reduce shedding largely.
Shaving hair close to the skin:
During summer dog owners try to trim their pet’s dog to cool them off but unfortunately, they put scissors too close to their skin that it damages their hair follicles. Damaged hair follicles make the hair weaker and it can lead to excess shedding.
Maltipoo as an ideal pet:
Although a study has shown the shedding of the fur is a good sign for a healthy dog. But in this breed, the shedding is less which makes them very easy and simple to pet. But before adopting keep in mind that their safeguarding and grooming takes a handful of time and money. If the surroundings are kept calm and their general health remains steady then they are the friendliest breed of dogs. The cherry on top in adopting this breed is that as they age their friendly behavior grows.