If you’re considering adding a cairn terrier to your family, you may be wondering about shedding and how much hair these dogs lose.
While cairn terriers do shed, they are considered a low-shedding breed and are much easier to manage than some other breeds.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 9 reasons why cairn terriers don’t shed as much as other dogs and how easy they are to keep groomed.
Do Cairn Terriers Shed
Cairn Terriers are a popular breed of a small dog, known for their independent spirit and playful nature. But what about shedding? Do Cairn Terriers shed their coat? Read on to find out the answer!
The following are common reasons why cairn terriers don’t shed as much as other dogs and how easy they are to keep groomed:
1. Cairn Terriers Have A Double Coat
One of the primary reasons cairn terriers don’t shed as much as other dogs is because they have a double coat.
The outer coat is coarse and wiry, while the undercoat is soft and dense.
This combination helps to trap hair and prevent it from being shed into the environment.
The outer coat also repels dirt and debris, which further reduces the amount of shedding.
Cairn terriers only require minimal grooming, which also contributes to their low-shedding status.
Brushing them once or twice a week is sufficient to remove any loose hair and keep their coat healthy and looking their best.
2. They Don’t Shed Seasonally
One of the reasons cairn terriers don’t shed as much as other dogs is that they don’t have a seasonal shed.
Unlike some breeds, their coat doesn’t change with the seasons and they don’t blow their coat once a year.
This means that you won’t have to deal with extra hair around the house during shedding season.
Another reason cairn terriers don’t shed much is that they have a double coat.
The outer coat is coarse and wiry, while the inner coat is soft and downy.
The two coats work together to trap hair and dirt, so it doesn’t end up on your furniture or clothing.
And, because the outer coat is so dense, it actually repels water and dirt, which means less bathing and grooming for you!
Finally, cairn terriers are hypoallergenic, which means they produce less dander than other dogs. This makes them a great choice for families with allergies.
So, if you’re looking for a low-shedding breed that is easy to care for, a cairn terrier may be the perfect choice for you!
3. They Don’t Have Undercoats
One reason cairn terriers don’t shed as much as other dogs is that they don’t have undercoats.
Undercoats are the thick, downy layer of fur that some dogs have beneath their outer coat.
This layer of fur helps to insulate the dog and protect them from the elements.
Without an undercoat, cairn terriers are less protected from the cold and more prone to heatstroke, but they don’t shed nearly as much.
Another reason cairn terriers don’t shed as much as other dogs is that they have fewer hair follicles.
This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s actually true! Dogs with fewer hair follicles shed less because there’s simply less hair to shed.
Cairn terriers have an average of 10,000 hair follicles, while other breeds can have up to double that amount.
Cairn terriers also have shorter hair than most other breeds.
Their coat is only about 1-2 inches long, which is much shorter than the 3-5 inches you’ll find on many other breeds.
This may not seem like a big difference, but shorter hair means there’s less surface area for shedding to occur.
4. Their Coats Are Water-Resistant
One of the reasons cairn terriers don’t shed as much as other dogs is because of their water-resistant coats.
These coats keep the hair from getting wet and falling out, which means less shedding overall.
Additionally, the coat helps to repel dirt and debris, so your cairn terrier will be less likely to track in all the outdoor elements when they come inside.
5. They Don’t Need Much Grooming
Cairn terriers are one of the lowest-shedding breeds of dogs, which means they don’t need to be groomed as often as other breeds.
In fact, most cairn terriers only need to be brushed once a week – and even that can be cut back to every other week during the summer months when they’re not shedding as much.
Thanks to their short coats, cairn terriers are also very easy to bathe – you can usually get away with bathing them every few months unless they happen to get particularly dirty.
6. You Can Use A De-shedding Tool On Them
One of the reasons cairn terriers don’t shed as much as other dogs is that they are easy to de-shed.
You can use a de-shedding tool on them to remove loose hair, and this will help to keep their coat healthy and free of tangles.
De-shedding also helps to reduce the amount of hair that your cairn terrier sheds, so it’s a win-win!
7. They Don’t Have A Lot Of Hair
One of the reasons cairn terriers don’t shed as much as other dogs are that they don’t have a lot of hair.
These dogs have a double coat, which means they have a top layer of longer hair and a bottom layer of shorter, denser hair.
The top layer of hair protects the dog from the elements and keeps them warm, while the bottom layer is waterproof and helps repel dirt and debris.
Because they don’t have a lot of hair, there’s less to shed! Another reason cairn terriers don’t shed much is that their coat is very dense.
The dense coat helps trap any shedding hair, which means it doesn’t end up on your furniture or clothes.
If you do find some loose hairs, they’re usually easy to brush out with a comb or slicker brush.
Cairn terriers are also considered a hypoallergenic breed, which means they’re less likely to cause allergies in people who are sensitive to pet dander.
This is because their coats don’t produce as much dander as other breeds.
8. They Have Short Hair
One of the main reasons cairn Terriers doesn’t shed as much as other dogs, is because they have short hair.
This type of coat doesn’t hold onto loose hair the way a long-haired coat does, so there’s less hair to fall out in the first place.
Additionally, short-haired coats are easier to brush and don’t require as much grooming as a long-haired coat.
Cairn terriers also have a double coat, which means they have a dense outer layer of fur and a softer undercoat.
The outer layer of fur protects the dog from the elements and doesn’t shed as much as the undercoat.
The undercoat is where most of the shedding occurs, but it’s not visible because it’s hidden by the outer layer of fur.
Double-coated breeds like cairn terriers only shed their undercoats once or twice a year, and even then, it’s not as noticeable as it would be with a single-coated breed.
If you’re looking for a low-shedding dog, a cairn terrier is a great option.
9. You Can Keep Their Shedding Under Control With Proper Diet And Nutrition
Cairn terriers are considered a low-shedding breed, but that doesn’t mean they don’t shed at all.
In fact, all dogs shed to some extent – it’s just that some breeds shed more than others.
Cairn terriers fall on the lower end of the shedding spectrum, which means that their hair loss is relatively easy to control.
One of the best ways to keep cairn terrier shedding under control is to feed them a healthy diet.
A nutritious diet will help keep their coat healthy and prevent excessive shedding.
Make sure to consult with your vet to find the best food for your cairn terrier.
In addition to a healthy diet, proper grooming is also essential for controlling shedding.
Regular brushing will help remove loose hair and keep your cairn terrier’s coat looking its best.
Takeaway: Cairn terriers are low-shedding dogs that are easy to groom and don.
Read more: Do Cairn Terriers Like To Be Held: 9 Reasons They Do
Grooming Tips For Cairn Terriers
Here are easy ways you should keep your cairn terrier’s hair groomed:
- Shampoo regularly, using a mild soap or diluted shampoo.
- Blow dry your cairn terrier regularly, using a cool, dry cloth.
- Remove mats and tangles from your cairn Terrier’s coat regularly with a brush or comb.
- Trim the hair around your cairn terrier’s muzzle and neck regularly.
- Avoid using harsh shampoos, lotions, and sprays on your dog’s coat.
- Provide plenty of fresh, cool water and fresh, clean food.
- Exercise your cairn terrier regularly.
- Monitor your cairn Terrier’s health and behavior regularly to determine if any changes need to be made to his grooming routine.
Simple Methods To Control Shedding In Cairn Terriers
The following are common ways you can help control shedding in your Cairn Terrier:
- Control the diet – feed a high-quality diet that is low in shedding.
- Control exercise – keep your cairn terrier exercised, so they don’t have time to shed.
- Control environment – keep your cairn terrier in a clean, comfortable environment.
- Control stress – keep your cairn terrier happy and contented to reduce stress levels.
- Control allergies – identify and treat any allergies your cairn terrier may have.
- Control infections – take care of your dog’s infections to prevent them from shedding.
- Control parasites – parasite control can help reduce shedding.
- Control grooming – be mindful of how often you groom your cairn terrier and make sure the grooming process is thorough and comfortable.
