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The Tibetan Mastiff has a thick double coat that is soft and cuddly to the touch and requires little to moderate grooming most of the year. The bottom coat is made up of heavy hair that looks and feels like wool, and the top layer of the coat has coarse guard hair that offers protection from the outdoor elements. So, do Tibetan Mastiffs shed? The short answer is that Mastiffs do shed but not excessively, except once a year. The following is everything that you need to know about the topic.
Tibetan Mastiffs Shed Moderately Most of the Time
For the most part, the coats on Tibetan Mastiffs shed moderately and require a minimal amount of maintenance. With weekly brushings (preferably with a slicker brush) and an occasional bath, shedding can be kept under control. The coat can become tangled and trap loose hair as it sheds, so it can seem that your dog is shedding more than they are if you are brushing their coat less than once a week.
It’s always a good idea to brush your dog outdoors so loose hair can fly away and not pile up inside your home. It is important to note that even with regular brushing, a Tibetan Mastiff will shed in the house, so regular vacuuming is important. This will help ensure that the shed hair does not get embedded into the carpet.
Tibetan Mastiffs Shed Heavily Once a Year
Once a year, during late spring or early summer, Tibetan Mastiffs go through an intense shedding period when they get rid of their undercoat to make room for brand-new growth. At this time, owners usually notice much more hair getting shed in their homes, even with regular brushing. To reduce the effects of heavy shedding during this time, you should brush your dog every day instead of weekly. You can also use an undercoat rake, or a tool designed specifically to de-shed the coat, for optimal results. This intense shedding tends to last for anywhere between 2 and 4 weeks before it settles down to moderate levels once again.
You might be able to reduce the amount of free fur by bathing your dog during high-shedding periods.
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The 5 Reasons That Your Tibetan Mastiff Might Be Shedding More Than They Should
Sometimes, dogs shed more than is normal for their breed, and this can happen with any Tibetan Mastiff. There are multiple different reasons that a dog might start shedding more than normal, some of which are harmless and others that might be cause for concern. Here are the most common reasons for overshedding in a dog:
1. Nutritional Deficiencies
If your dog is lacking one or more vitamins or minerals, it could result in poor coat growth and health, which in turn, could mean excessive shedding of unhealthy hair. A deficiency in vitamins like A, E, and biotin, or minerals such as zinc, can impair coat health, leading to excessive shedding and brittle hair. Likewise, a diet deficient in essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, and in a healthy ratio can also affect the coat’s health, causing dullness, dryness, and excessive shedding. These fatty acids are crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and hair growth.
Every pet is unique in their nutritional needs, so we recommend reaching out to a vet for nutritional advice.
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2. Flea and Parasite Infestations
If fleas or parasites can infest your dog, their skin can become irritated and inflamed, which can result in excessive itching and scratching. All that itching and scratching can cause more hair than usual to be shed.
3. Medications
Whether prescribed or over the counter, certain medicines can cause a dog’s coat to shed more than usual for one reason or another. Sometimes it’s due to an allergic reaction, but a veterinarian should be consulted to verify the specific cause.
4. Too Much Sun
If a canine spends too much time in the sun, they can get sunburned just like us humans can. The burned and damaged skin may not be able to hold onto all the dog’s hair while it heals, which means extra shedding.
5. Pregnancy
Being pregnant puts a great deal of pressure on a female dog’s body, and they may lack the minerals and calcium necessary to maintain a healthy coat. So, their owners might notice excessive shedding throughout the pregnancy.
If your Tibetan Mastiff is shedding more than you think that they should be, schedule a checkup with a veterinarian so you can find out why. There is likely a reason for the extra shedding, and the only way to address the problem is to figure out the cause.
Final Thoughts
Tibetan Mastiffs shed moderately throughout the year, but it usually doesn’t take more than a weekly brushing to keep the shedding under control. It’s the once-yearly undercoat shedding that can cause grooming to be more intensive. Even then, daily brushing should still make the process manageable. If your dog starts shedding more than normal, look for signs of illness, and call your vet to schedule a checkup.
Featured Image Credit: mojahata,Shutterstock
