I'm a vet – here's the five dog breeds that shed the most and how to avoid a hairy home

The Irish Sun

2 days ago

DOG and cat owners are daft about their furry friends.
But many have one big pet hate - how much fur they
leave
all over your
home
.
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Cleaning up after your pet doesn't have to be a chore
A recent
survey
by
women
would rather share the sofa with a pet than their partner when watching telly.
But with many households struggling to keep on top of cleaning up after their fluffy friends, one pet expert has revealed the top shedding breeds that will wreak havoc in your home.
Vileda, the expert cleaning brand behind the
Cat said: "Unless you've got a non-shedding dog breed like a poodle cross, you'll know all about the pet
hair
struggle.
READ MORE IN FABULOUS
"While some breeds shed all year round, for most, their coats change with the seasons."
She adds: "Did you know that how much your dog sheds is all down to their genes?
"Some breeds are seasonal shedders, losing their coats twice a year in a big 'blow out' – think Akitas and Huskies. Others, like Labradors, shed non-stop!"
Coming top of the list of doggy offenders are Labradors. These gorgeous
dogs
have a dense undercoat and a thicker outer coat.
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This allows them to regulate their
body
temperature - but also means they have lots more fur to shed.
In second place is German Shepherds which also have a double coat. They tend to shed their coat fully twice a year, in
spring
and
autumn
.
The Supervet's Noel Fitzpatrick reveals how a dog exposed man's affair in the most astonishing way
Meanwhile, third on the ranking is an Akita. Another double coated dog, they tend to leave clumps of fair coloured hair during the main shedding season.
But don't throw in the towel if you're struggling to
win
the battle against fur and dander.
Cleaning expert Clare Bolland, from Vileda, has some brilliant
hacks
to keep your home gleaming, even with the fluffiest of breeds.
She says: "On average, we spend more than four hours a week on cleaning tasks caused by our
pets
and 35 per cent of pet owners admitted they underestimated how much cleaning they'd have to do before getting their pet.
"But there are loads of handy hacks to make cleaning quicker and easier – leaving you more quality time to spend with your pet.'
Brush them OUTSIDE
Clare warns: "Brushing your dog or cat regularly will seriously cut down on indoor shedding – and the trick is to do it outdoors.
"Take them into the garden at least once per week to brush their coat.
"Doing this inside might not seem like a big problem, but fine hairs will be dispersed in your home – then settling and creating more
work
to clean up later.'
Fur-free forty winks
Clare said: "We
love
our pets so much that 79 per cent of us let them
sleep
in our beds.
"But here's the main tip: change your bedding every three to four days. Even if your dog or cat looks clean, they'll bring dirt and debris into your bed that hides in their fur or on their paws. That ends up on your sheets, pillows, and duvet cover."
Stray pet hairs will cling to your bedding and
fabric
headboards.
The expert added: "Leave it too long and it can become trapped inside your pillows, duvet, and mattress, making it even more difficult to remove later down the line."
Her secret weapon is
Clare says: "A quick once-over of your bed each morning removes pet hair in minutes, so you can enjoy plenty of cuddles from your furry friend every night. And give your duvet and pillows a good shake when you change your bedding to stop fur getting embedded."
TOP SHEDDING OFFENDERS
HERE are the top offenders according to the pet experts:
Top five dog breeds for shedding:
Labradors
German shepherds
Akitas
Huskies
Basset hounds
Top 5 cat breeds for shedding:
Maine Coon
Long haired moggy
Short haired moggy
Ragdoll
Persian
Make cleaning a BREEZ
E
The expert said: "Having the right products on hand is vital to streamline your cleaning routine.
"We designed the
"The angled bristles make it quicker to reach and clean corners, and it's easy to clean: simply rinse it under the tap after use.'
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The expert says getting the right products is key