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Hypoallergenic dogs: Do Standard Poodles Shed?

poodle taking a bath

Last updated on June 9th, 2021 at 12:07 am


Are you looking for a dog that does not shed?  Standard poodles do not shed much and are considered hypoallergenic.  This makes a standard poodle be a great choice for someone looking for someone who has allergies or does not like to clean pet hair every day.  

Do Standard Poodles Shed?

Standard Poodles do not shed if at all.  These are considered hypoallergenic dogs and are great for people with allergies. These are a very popular breed for these reasons.  People do not want a dog that sheds all over the house, or they may have allergies, and getting a Standard Poodle helps decrease these allergies.

standard poodle playing with toy

What Does a Hypoallergenic dog mean?

While there is no dog that is truly 100% hypoallergenic, some breeds such as standard poodles that are very close, if a dog is considered to be hypoallergenic, then your dog will shed very little if at all.  If you are allergic to your dog, you are allergic to the dander that is on their hair. 

When your dog sheds in your house, they will leave this dander.  This means if you sit on your couch right after your dog was just lying there, you would be coming into contact with their dander. 

If you have a standard poodle, they do not shed and leave their dander where they have been.   This makes them considered hypoallergenic and a great dog for people who have pet allergies. 


Why Don’t Standard Poodles Shed?

The main reason that your Standard Poodle does not shed is that it has hair and not fur. Many people think that hair and fur are the exact same thing; they are not totally wrong.  If you look at the microscopic makeup of hair and fur, you cannot tell the difference between the two.  Their difference is when it comes to how often hair and fur is shed

Hair is what people and Standard Poodles have.  This hair will continue to grow and will get longer and longer until you decide it is time for a haircut. 

The fur is what is seen in labs or Chihuahua.  Their fur will grow to a certain length, stop growing and then fall out.  These dogs will not need their hair cut but will constantly shed. 

How to Minimize Allergens Caused by Standard Poodles

If you are allergic to your pet`s dander, there are some things that you can do to help decrease the amount of hair and dander that your Standard Poodle may leave behind. 

These are five things that you can do to help decrease pet dander around your house:

Bath Your Standard Poodle Very Often

When you give your dog a bath, you are removing the dander from your dog’s skin.  You can give your Standard Poodle a bath at most once a week.  If your dog has a skin disease, you may have to use a special shampoo to help keep your Standard Poodle’s skin healthy and happy.  It is best to use a shampoo that is oatmeal-based as these do not dry your dog’s skin. 

These are two great shampoos to use for dogs with skin infections

poodle laying on a bridge

Brush Your Standard Poodle Very Often 

Brushing your Standard Poodle very often will help remove any dead hair that may be stuck in their fur.  This will also help decrease any allergens from falling off your dog and landing around the house. 

Using a slicker brush will help remove any loose hair.  This is the best brush if your Standard Poodle has longer hair.  If your Standard Poodle has hair that is very short, using a soft bristle brush is best. 

Groom Your Standard Poodle Very Short

Most people love the shaggy look of their Standard Poodle, but if you keep your Standard Poodle groomed very short will help decrease the amount of hair and allergens that they can spread around your house.  

If your dog has long hair, they may lick themselves a little more to keep clean.  The proteins that are found in the saliva can also cause you to have an allergic reaction. You can easily learn how to groom your Standard Poodle very short or even take them to a groomer for a short haircut. 

Use Supplement to help your Standard Poodles skin

By giving your Standard Poodle skin supplements that contain omega fatty acids will help give them a nice shiny coat.  This will also help decrease any dander that they shed around the house.  

You can easily find omega fatty acids in your Standard Poodle’s food or treats that you give them. Some very popular treats that you can use to help keep your Standard Poodle’s hair shiny are:

Making sure that your dog gets enough omega fatty acids in their diet will help keep with hair soft and skin free of infections.  You can use treats or oils added to their diet to help make sure that they get the added nutrients to your Standard Poodles diet. 

Use a No Shed Spray

There are sprays that you can use to decrease the amount that your dog sheds.  These are more commonly used in dogs who shed way more than a Standard Poodle but can also be used for your Standard Poodle.  These sprays also help keep your dog smell good so that they do not have to have baths as often. The Furminator deShedding Waterless Pet Spray is a great option to use on your Standard Poodle.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a dog that does not shed, a Standard Poodle would be a great choice.  These dogs are commonly used to make many of the new designer “doodle” breeds because of their no shedding properties. Having a Standard Poodle will decrease the hair that is shed around your house and will help decrease any allergens if you or someone in your house is allergic to pet dander.