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Black Pepper

I have a Labradodle with papers. She is 10 mo. very entergetic with sweet disposition. Problem, she shed heavely. Help!

Labradoodle are supposed to be low or no shed, right? Pepper sheds so much we must vacume daily. Does anyone have any suggestions? We do not plan to put her up for adoption if we can correct this problem.
R Shearer


Asked by Black Pepper on Dec 20th 2007 Tagged excessiveshedding in Home Grooming
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Marlowe, CGC

Labradoodles are not a breed, they are a mixed breed (commonly known as a mutt). They can have a variety of different coat types, colors, sizes and looks, even out of the same litter. Because they are mixed breeds they do not "breed true" like purebred dogs do. Breeding true means that nearly every dog in every litter is going to fall into a set standard for size, color, coat type and disposition.

If the person who sold you your dog told you that all labradoodles have non-shedding coats, they lied to you. As a cross between a very high-shedding dog (lab) and a low-shedding dog (poodle), the offspring could have a coat just like a lab, or just like a poodle or anything in between.

To help mitigate the shedding that she does naturally, try putting Pepper on a high quality diet of a top of the line food such as Innova, Natural Balance, Canidae, or similar. A good diet can often lead to less shedding in high-shedding breeds. But if she's got a shedding coat, she will always shed.


Marlowe, CGC answered on 12/20/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 5 Report this answer


Lucy

That's a myth.
A labradoodle is a cross between poodles and labrador retreivers. And as with any mix, there is a chance for the puppies to come out with either lab hair, poodle hair or something in between.
...and Labs shed. A lot.
I've had poodle mixes all my life till my current two. Some shed. Some don't.
I'd suggest a few things to help the shedding, but don't expect it to go away. You might have simply gotten a shedder.
1. Go to a groomer and get their coat blown out with the high velocity blower. It'll get all that loose stuff out somewhere other than your house.
2. Furminator. It's a wonderful thing. It's better than all the rakes, shed-less shampoos, etc in the world.
3. Diet. A tweak in diet will often help a coat. Omegas and other "healthy" fats are wonderful for skin and coat.
4. A more powerful vacuum. It doesn't seem to pileup as fast when you can pick it up better. We have a Dyson Animal, but some people say others are better


Lucy answered on 12/20/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 7 Report this answer


Gio

Lucy and Marlow gave great advice, absolutely correct. I just want to add that you might want to speak with the breeder if they gave you "papers" for your dog. Since Labradoodles are not a real breed, but rather a mix of two breeds that has been given a new name, they cannot be registered with any kennel club. So if the breeder lead you to believe that Pepper is a registered dog or a purebred, then you have been conned. Check the "papers" that you have and discuss this with the breeder.


Gio answered on 12/20/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 3 Report this answer


Kobe

Just to add a couple things. I never heard of a labradoodle with papers as they are a mutt. What kind of papers, Im curious. The only way to stop the shedding is try the furminator deshedding treatment. Most groomers do it or you can buy the brush,shampooh and force dryer and do it yourself.


Kobe answered on 12/20/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Layla

They may be referring to the dog being registered with a kennel club such as the Continental Kennel Club who will allow registration of all types of dogs, mixes or not.


Layla answered on 12/20/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


~Sophie~

So if you can't 'correct the problem,' you would give her up?

As the others have said, a good diet and some omega-3s will help out a lot. I see on your page that you feed Purina. That's the first thing that needs to change.


~Sophie~ answered on 12/20/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 3 Report this answer


Sparky

Well who ever told you Ladadoodles don't shed? poodles don't shed but labs shed alot. I would recommed you to purchase a furminator brush and use it daily. It's a great tool for any dogs who shed alot. You will notice in no time the shedding will be much lower. You can find it at most better pet shops and online stores. I would get the med or large depending on your size. Well worth the money you won't regret it. PS Ihumom is a grommer


Sparky answered on 12/20/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Guest

First of all who was the sire and the mother?? The male, if a lab has a stroger "blood" that over toke the mothers ..... just like humans heritage...


Guest 961994 answered on 12/20/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Cadillac CGC

DEFINITELY CHANGE FOODS. . . solid gold, innova, even nutro natural choice are all foods that will decrease shedding. they have better proteins and fats than purina. if you don't believe it because the commercial says its a good food, just flip over the bag and compare it to any of those. you will see. . . purina is an unhealthy and awful food.

please switch your dog for her own health. also, please spay her if she isnt already. labradoodles do not have "papers" like purebreds do and shouldnt be bred, because most mixes end up in shelters due to their unpredictability. you cannot know which breed they will take after. it isnt like a purebred do which should adhere to a standard.


Cadillac CGC answered on 12/20/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Kaya

Labradoodles are cross breeds, anyone that tells you elsewise is lying. They are a mix of labrador and poodle... while many get the poodle gene and are hypoallergenic, this can not be guranteed, despite what anyone tries to tell you... sounds like you got the lab side...

having said that, they do sell solutions you can rub on your pet to reduce the dander (not the shedding, but the dander) to help reduce allergies. Allergy Reflief From Dogs, is what is called. Seems to work pretty well... I've used it on my gals as I have allergies to pets, always have always will, but I love them, so I deal :) But the allergy relief stuff seems to help take the edge off.

Brush regularly to help keep it down... about all I can suggest. I really hope you don't end up putting the dog in a pound... my mainr reason I get so frustrated with these breeders that are irresponsible, sell expensive mix breeds to people telling them they are something they are not... Good luck. Hope you find relief!


Kaya answered on 12/20/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 2 Report this answer


Charlie

Also you can try some shed-control shampoo. I agree with getting a Furminator. Best investment ever.


Charlie answered on 12/21/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Jack

Everyone has given good answers. I think that there is a supplement you can get at the vet's office which helps with the shedding. Unfortunately, I don't know what this is called.

At 10 months, she's also losing her puppy coat, so she might actually be shedding a bit more than she would in a few month's time. You can invest in a wire brush and brush her out every few days, in addition to vaccuuming every couple of days.

Personally, unless you are highlyallergic, I'd not consider having to hoover up the house every day a reason to get rid of any dog.

A puppy cut could help as it would keep hairs shorter and the process would weed out loose hairs.

Some breeders and owners have the mistaken belief that there are some purebred dogs or dog mixes that are non-shedding.

Truth is, there's simply no such thing. Also, no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, either. Doesn't matter if you're talking about a purebred or a mix breed.

Sorry you're having to find out the hard way!


Jack answered on 12/21/07. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 2 Report this answer


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