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Do Tibetan Mastiffs Shed? (Tibetan Mastiff Grooming Needs)

Tibetan Mastiffs shed little throughout the year but shed heavily once a year. This takes place during spring as they shed their winter coat. Their shedding depends on the climate. If you live in a cold place, you won’t see much fur around your house.

Tibetan Mastiffs are well-known for their fur. But despite this large fur coat, they don’t shed much throughout the year. 

The grooming process of a Tibetan Mastiff is not complicated. It is easily done at home, with a pin brush and a metal comb.

In this article, we’ll cover all there is to know about why, how much, and how often Tibetan Mastiffs shed. We’ll also provide some grooming tips and additional information on this breed’s fur.

Do Tibetan Mastiffs Shed?

Yes, Tibetan Mastiffs do shed. They have one to two “seasonal sheds”. This typically happens as they shed their winter coat in the springtime. Despite their long coats, they are light shedders. Taking care of their coat is an easy process.

Fortunately, Tibetan Mastiffs don’t shed much. There are two to four weeks per “seasonal shed” when Tibetan Mastiffs shed more than usual. 

This means that you will see significant amounts of fur during their seasonal shed.

If you pay attention to your dog’s shedding habits, you can avoid these huge quantities of fur around your house. Once you learn its blowing periods, it will be easier to groom its coat.

Why Do Tibetan Mastiffs Shed?

As Tibetan Mastiffs normally don’t shed much, irregular and frequent shedding should be addressed. It is caused by food, changes in temperature, and medical issues. Allergies of fleas also lead to shedding. 

There are many reasons behind your Tibetan Mastiff’s shedding. Some of them are normal, such as season shedding, while others can be dangerous. Monitor your Tibetan Mastiff’s habits to find what’s causing it to shed.

Here are some common factors that affect shedding and hair loss:

  • Temperature
  • Food
  • Medical conditions
  • Allergies

See a veterinarian if you think that your dog’s shedding is caused by a health problem.

Temperature

Tibetan Mastiffs Shed depends on Temperature
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Shedding in Tibetan Mastiffs depends on temperature. During seasons with hot weather, they shed more.

If it’s cold outside, they will only shed small amounts of fur. This way they keep themselves warm. If you live in a colder climate, your Tibetan Mastiff will shed even less than this breed already does.

Food

Food is also a reason why Tibetan Mastiffs shed. If they overeat, they shed more than usual. This is caused by the amount of oil the body produces.

Drastic changes in their diet and poor meals are also reasons behind your dog’s shedding. They result in a nutritional deficiency that harms your Tibetan Mastiff’s coat. [1]

Medical Conditions

Medical conditions such as Hypothyroidism lead to shedding. This disease is common in dogs. It is caused by the low levels of the thyroid hormone. This condition presents many symptoms, including flaky skin and hair loss. [2]

If you think your Tibetan Mastiff’s shedding is a cause of Hypothyroidism, take it to the vet as soon as possible.

Allergies

Tibetan Mastiffs Allergy
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Shedding also occurs if your Tibetan Mastiff has an allergy. Look out for what causes your dog’s allergies and protect it from those triggers. Other symptoms of allergies are scratching or biting the skin and small red bumps. [3]

Tibetan Mastiffs Shedding Frequency

Tibetan Mastiffs shed heavily once or twice a year. This helps them adjust to hot or cold temperatures. You will notice the heaviest shedding during spring. They shed less during the fall.

This breed has two seasonal sheds. 

The first one occurs in spring. Spring is when your Tibetan Mastiff prepares itself for high temperatures. With summer coming soon, your dog will shed a significant amount of fur. This helps it prevent overheating.

Your Tibetan Mastiff also blows its coat in fall. During fall, Tibetan Mastiffs molt to get rid of their summer coat. This process allows your dog to grow a thick and warm coat, to prepare itself for the cold winter temperatures.

Tibetan Mastiff Coat Type

Tibetan Mastiffs have a thick, double coat. They have a dense, soft, woolly undercoat and a long, hard-textured topcoat. The undercoat is the one that sheds in warm weather. 

Tibetan Mastiffs have hard and straight hair. They can’t have silky or wavy hair.

The undercoat of a Tibetan Mastiff needs more attention when you groom your Tibetan Mastiff. This coat has to be thinner during high-temperature months. 

Tibetan Mastiff Coat Type
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Are Tibetan Mastiffs Hypoallergenic?

Tibetan Mastiffs aren’t hypoallergenic. The amount of fur they shed triggers allergy symptoms in sensitive owners. It is not impossible to own a Tibetan Mastiff if you are hypersensitive.

Human allergies are caused by a certain protein found in a dog’s body. This protein is transferred to the fur by saliva. This is why some people have allergies to dog fur.

As Tibetan Mastiffs shed low amounts of hair, it is possible to own one without it triggering your allergies. 

If you want to make sure that this breed is safe for you, consult your doctor before getting a dog.

Managing Tibetan Mastiff Shedding

It is easy to manage your Tibetan Mastiff’s shedding. It is a low-maintenance breed. They don’t need more than weekly brushing and occasional baths. The shedding seasons are the only times of the year when your dog needs extra grooming.

You cannot stop your Tibetan Mastiff from shedding. But you can make this process easier for both you and your dog. 

Here are five tips that will help you manage your dog’s shedding:

  1. Brushing
  2. Frequent grooming sessions
  3. Dieting
  4. Hair supplements
  5. Bathing

1. Brushing

Brushing Tibetan Mastiffs

It is vital to brush your Tibetan Mastiff’s coat at least once per week. You should also brush your dog’s fur every time it plays outside. 

A slick brush is perfect for this procedure. This helps with removing dead fur and keeping your dog’s coat healthy and shiny.

2. Frequent Grooming Sessions

If you want to reduce shedding, groom your dog regularly. A grooming session scheduled once a week is enough for your Tibetan Mastiff. Not taking care of your dog will damage its coat. 

Make sure to remove loose hair and tangles every time you groom your Tibetan Mastiff.

For heavy shedding periods, an undercoat de-shedding tool or a shedding blade are recommended. If you don’t know what tool works best for your dog, consult a specialist.

3. Dieting

Food plays an essential role in your Tibetan Mastiff’s shedding. Lack of protein or excess sebum will cause your dog to lose more hair. A balanced and nutritious diet helps reduce shedding.

4. Hair supplements

Hair supplements Tibetan Mastiffs
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You can complement a healthy diet with hair supplements if you want to reduce shedding. They can improve your Tibetan Mastiff’s skin health or the aspect of its fur. Some recommended hair supplements are coconut oil and Omega 3.

Consult your vet before giving your dog any hair supplements to avoid negative reactions or side effects.

5. Bathing

Bathe your Tibetan Mastiff once every two months. Invest in a quality dog shampoo for better results. Make sure you don’t exaggerate how much you bathe your Tibetan Mastiff. This can cause skin and hair damage.

Do not use human shampoo on your Tibetan Mastiff. It leads to skin dryness and hair loss.

Conclusion

Tibetan Mastiffs shed small amounts of fur all year round. They have two seasonal sheds. These occur during spring and fall. The amount of hair they shed depends on their diet, the climate, or individual health conditions.

This breed is easy to care for when it comes to fur. Their grooming process can be done at home by anyone. With quality brushing and a good shampoo, you can take care of your dog’s shedding without taking it to a groomer.

FAQs

How Do I Get Rid of Knots in Tibetan Mastiffs?

To get rid of knots in Tibetan Mastiffs you can use a pin brush, metal combs, or a de-matting tool. If your dog’s fur is too tangled, try using hair oil or a detangling spray. Apply the solution and gently brush through your dog’s fur.

Do I Need to Take My Tibetan Mastiff to the Groomer?

It is not crucial to take your Tibetan Mastiff to the groomer. With the right tools and a little patience, you can groom it at home. If you don’t have time for that, you can take your dog to a groomer.

About Iordache Cristina Maria

Cristina is a freelance writer, student, and animal enthusiast. While she learns about animals, she writes about how they behave, what they look like, and other facts that most people don't know about.

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