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

The 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.
A recent survey by Vileda revealed that three in five 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 Pet Pro range, has teamed up with pet expert, and influencer, Cat The Vet to spill the beans on the breeds most likely to leave your home covered in fluff.
Cat said: "Unless you've got a non-shedding dog breed like a poodle cross, you'll know all about the pet hair struggle.
"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.
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.
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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 Vileda's Pet Pro Electrostatic Brush - which you can keep in your bedside drawer.
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."
Make cleaning a BREEZ E
The expert said: "Having the right products on hand is vital to streamline your cleaning routine.
"We designed the Vileda Pet Pro Always Clean Broom for ultimate ease and speed. Its rubber bristles attract and collect dirt and pet hair from any floor type – including hard floors, carpets and rugs.
"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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