Did you know that we Poodles as hypoallergenic dogs? This fact might leave you wondering if all the Poodle size varieties, such as the Toy Poodle, shed or not.
Just like all dogs, Toy Poodles do shed, but not in the way we presume. Read on as we further answer your question, ‘do Toy Poodles shed?’
Do Toy Poodles Shed?
All mammals would shed hair, as it will go through a hair growth cycle. At the end of the hair growth cycle, excess hair will naturally disappear, allowing new hair to grow.
Toy Poodles still shed but far less compared to other breeds. They still shed:
- Dander – loose hair and dead skin, which are invisible to the naked eye.
- Hair – Poodles shed hair not firmly attached to the skin, though it usually sticks to their coat, which is why they don’t shed often.
- Saliva – Toy Poodles slobber, so their saliva can get on their hair. Once the saliva dries, they fall from the skin.
Why Does the Toy Poodle Shed Less?
What makes Poodles, including the Toy Poodle, different from other dog breeds is their hair. They don’t have fur like most dogs, which helps with their minimal shedding! Furthermore, Toy Poodles are also considered the smallest Poodle size in the American Kennel Club. That means less body area for minimal shedding.
Poodles shed less because of their tightly curled coat, which traps dander, dead hair, or saliva. Because of this, Toy Poodles don’t release too much dead hair or dander into our floor, furniture, or air. They would also shed hair every 21 days, compared to other dogs that shed fur every few days.
They also have a single coat, whereas other dog breeds have a double coat. Double-coated dogs shed more because their undercoats experience seasonal shedding, besides the normal shedding all year long. Poodles don’t shed when the seasons change.
Toy Poodles will also require daily brushing to maintain their dense coat’s quality and smoothness. While this may sound tedious, it’s a good thing! Regular grooming will eliminate the dander and dead hair trapped in your dog’s curly coat, so you get all the shed hair from their brush rather than wait for it to fall off.
However, even a low-shedding dog like the Toy Poodle can lose even more hair than usual if they have skin conditions or health issues. For instance, dogs with skin infections, hormonal imbalances, nutritional diseases, or inflammatory diseases lose more hair. They are also likely to shed more, especially when left unclipped if you don’t groom them well.
If your Poodle experiences excessive shedding, do take them to the veterinarian, who can prescribe medication, shampoo, or other treatments to deal with it.
All these factors are what make Toy Poodles shed less and also what makes them hypoallergenic.
Is the Toy Poodle Hypoallergenic?
Because the Toy Poodle doesn’t shed much, does that mean it’s hypoallergenic? Numerous people applaud the Poodle for having a ‘hypoallergenic coat,’ but they aren’t strictly hypoallergenic.
Hypoallergenic refers to ‘below average allergens,’ with allergens being substances that trigger an allergic reaction if eaten or inhaled. We find allergens in dander and saliva. Do note that ‘100% hypoallergenic’ dogs exist.
A Poodle is hypoallergenic because there’s less of a chance that it releases allergens and triggers allergic reactions. However, they can still trigger allergies, especially in very sensitive dog owners. If people are allergic to dog saliva and small amounts of dander, they can still suffer from an allergic reaction. However, that chance lessens in a Toy Poodle, as they don’t shed as much and most dander remain trapped in their coat.
Does this mean Toy Poodles are a perfect companion for allergy sufferers? Yes, though if you are sensitive and more prone to allergies, you’ll need to take proper precautions to ensure your Toy Poodle won’t trigger or worsen it.
Fortunately, there are ways to keep your Toy Poodle’s hair loss to a minimum, which prevents any allergic reactions. Follow these tips:
- Groom your Toy Poodle regularly. Bathe your Poodle every 4-6 weeks or if his daily exercise involves a lot of mud and dirt. When bathing him, use a premium dog shampoo that promotes less hair fall.
- When cutting your Toy Poodle’s hair, you can choose among the Puppy Clip, Continental Clip, or English Saddle Clip. Regular clipping is a must to prevent their hair from getting too long. and shedding more.
- Your Toy Poodle requires regular brushing (once a day with a slicker brush or pin brush) to remove all the dander and hair trapped in his coat.
- Vacuum your home regularly, cleaning any Toy Poodle dander and curly hair hiding on your furniture, floor, or curtains!
- Keep your Poodle away from certain parts of your home, such as the bedroom. That prevents you from inhaling invisible dander or loose hairs while you sleep.
People with allergies shouldn’t worry much about the Toy Poodle. As long as you have the time for daily grooming and cleaning, they make lovely family pets, even if you have allergy-sufferers at home.