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As a Patterdale owner, I often get asked the question ‘Do Patterdale terriers shed?’ It’s something that many potential new dog owners want to know when considering the breed. The short answer to this question is yes, they do, but of course it’s much more complex than just a yes or no question.
Do Patterdale Terriers Shed? Yes – Moderately!
Patterdale terriers are considered to be moderately shedding dogs. Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as a non-shedding dog, although you can get hypoallergenic breeds which the Patterdale is not! A Patterdale terrier won’t shed as much as a Labrador or an Alsatian yet won’t be as shed-proof as a Maltese or Cockapoo! In my experience, even my Jack Russell Terrier used to shed more than my current Patterdale terrier – quite often I would go out feel like I was wearing half of my dog!
Patterdale terriers may trigger dog hair allergies and so it is always best to spend some time with the dog that you are looking to buy or adopt to make sure that it’s the right dog for you.
Rough or Smooth Haired Patterdale?
You will find that because the Patterdale terrier is not a Kennel Club registered dog, you will find diversity within this type or breed of dog. You can get both smooth and rough haired Patterdale terriers and as a general rule, the short smooth haired patterdales (like mine!) molt a bit more than the rough coated ones.
Why not try a Patterdale Cross?
If you love the Patterdale terrier characteristics but don’t fancy a moderately shedding dog, you could consider some of the Patterdale cross breeds that are available which combine the energetic personality of a Patterdale with the hypoallergenic coat of another breed. For example, a Patterpoo (a cross between a Patterdale and a Poodle) might be a good option for you.
Patterdale Terrier Grooming
Another other option is to buy or adopt a Patterdale terrier and maintain good coat health through the dogs diet and regular brushing. Daily brushing of a Patterdale terrier with a good wire dog brush will limit the surplus fur likely to fall out around the house. You should also bath your Patterdale roughly every 3-6 months. You might also like to read this article about Patterdale Terrier grooming.
One last thing – remember to use a flea treatment regularly on your Patterdale terrier – those fleas love their dense warm fur!
You might also like to read about Dog Bandanas and Long Haired Patterdale Terrier.