There are dozens of dog breeds that don’t shed their hair but are Shih Tzu dogs one of them? Non-shedding dogs are also referred to as hypoallergenic dogs, and they’re the perfect choice for people who suffer from allergies.
And YES, Shih Tzu’s are among the breed of dogs that do not shed their hair. This is great news for any of you reading this that suffer from allergies.
Having allergies to dogs isn’t uncommon; in fact, up to 60 million Americans and over 600 million people worldwide have some sort of allergy to dog hair and pollen.
What makes Shih Tzu dogs different from other breeds is their hair. Where most dogs have fur, Shih Tzu has hair that is less prone to shedding.
In fact, it’s actually the combination of dander, dead skin, and fur that can bring on the sniffle in people who are allergic.
Because Shih Tzu’s are hypoallergenic, they are among the best breeds for people with allergies.
Do Shih Tzu Shed?
Most Shih Tzu owners report minimal to no shedding from their pets. Now it’s worth pointing out that even hypoallergenic dogs such as Shih Tzu’s will lose some hair; this is perfectly normal.
Shih Tzu’s have “regular” hair (like humans) rather than fur, hair is a lot finer than fur and will grow continuously.
It’s not uncommon for other breeds of dogs that do shed to leave big clumps of fur around the house, and pet owners spend most of the day vacuuming.
This doesn’t happen if you own a Shih Tzu, you might find the odd strand on the floor very much like human hair fall, but definitely not clumps.
Due to the human-like hair found on a Shih Tzu, regular grooming is a must, and having your Shih Tzu clipped once a month is recommended.
Not only will this keep their coat in great condition, but it will also decrease the amount of hair fall, which is already minimal.
Shih Tzu Hair Growth Rate
Shih Tzu dogs are relatively high maintenance and have a fast-growing, luscious coat that requires brushing at least once per day and is ideally professionally groomed every 4 to 6 weeks.
Many Shih Tzu owners opt for their dog‘s coats to be clipped short which makes it far easier to maintain and it makes for a happy dog during the hot summer months.
The growth rate varies from dog to dog, but generally, you can expect a Shih Tzu’s hair to grow back after clipping within 6 weeks to where it was prior to clipping.
Maintaining Shih Tzu’s Hair So It’s Silky Smooth
Due to the type of hair on this breed of dog regular shampooing is required to make Shih Tzu hair silky and tangle-free.
I recommend that you use dog shampoo products that are moisturizing and contain very little fragrance.
For Shih Tzu, the We Love Doodles Store Natural Dog Shampoo is a great option.
Some dogs are prone to itchy skin, and this can be exaggerated if fragranced dog shampoos are used.
Grooming is also essential for silky, tangle-free hair.
The coat of a Shih Tzu typically has an over and undercoat, the longer the hair on your dog the more likely you notice falling hair due to the undercoat losing hair that is then caught in the outer coat and will slowly build up.
Regular grooming will ensure that any loose hair is removed.
Why Am I Allergic To Other Dog Breeds?
So you already know Shih Tzu’s don’t shed, but for those of you that suffer from allergies towards dogs, your reaction is not so much due to the dog’s hair but rather the dander (flakes on the dog’s skin) and the saliva.
Yes, dog hair can play a small role in your allergic reaction, for example, dust, and other allergens such as pollen can build upon a dog’s thick coat which in turn can trigger allergic symptoms if you’re already sensitive.
If you suffer from hay fever, you know what I’m talking about; the symptoms are almost identical, like congestion, sneezing, nasal swelling, asthma, and rashes.
Again, this isn’t triggered by the dog hair per se but it’s more to do with the allergens stuck in the hair.
It’s worth noting that there are a few theories out there that suggest that if you’re exposed to dogs or cats at an early age, you are less likely to develop allergies to pets later on in life – food for thought.
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