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Boston terriers have a youthful spirit and a dignified appearance. Their black and white coats make it look like they’re always wearing a tuxedo, which contributed to their nickname, “the American Gentleman” (even though some of those gentlemen are actually gentle ladies). But, beyond being black-tie-ready, what else does the Boston’s coat have in store for its owners? Do Boston terriers shed?
Unfortunately, Boston terriers DO shed, and they shed in black and white, which means you’ll find black hair on your light upholstery and white hair on your dark upholstery. However, this breed sheds less than many other popular dog breeds, and there are steps that Boston terrier owners can take to minimize shedding around their house.
We’ll take a look at how much Boston terriers shed, whether this breed’s coat is good for allergy sufferers, and what Boston owners can do to minimize shedding and take care of their dog’s coat.
Boston terriers shed a small amount of hair year-round. They have a smooth coat, which is one of the nine types of coats recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), and the AKC ranks this breed’s shedding level as a two on a scale of one to five. Boston terrier shedding is comparable to French bulldogs and boxers, which are also smooth-coated dogs.
Other smooth-coated breeds, including English bulldogs, bull terriers, Rottweilers, and pugs will shed slightly more than a Boston terrier. But all the smooth-coated breeds shed less than dog breeds with a double coat, like golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, Australian shepherds, and huskies.
Double-coated dogs shed a moderate amount of hair year-round with two heavy shedding periods when the seasons change in late fall and spring. During heavy shedding seasons, these breeds blow their undercoat, and pet owners will find large tufts of hair blowing around their house. Even with frequent brushing, double-coated dogs will leave large amounts of hair on clothes and furniture.
Fortunately, Boston terriers don’t have an undercoat. While you will still find occasional hairs on your clothes and furniture, it will only be a small amount, and it will be easier to manage with occasional brushing and vacuuming. And because Boston terriers have short coats, their shedding will be less noticeable than a fluffy dog like a golden retriever or German shepherd.
Unfortunately, Boston terriers are not hypoallergenic. While dog fur is not what triggers allergic reactions — dander is the main culprit, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) — shedding does spread allergens throughout your house.
The dander from dead skin cells attaches to the dog's hair follicles. When a dog sheds, it releases dander into the air and onto your clothes and furniture. For people with moderate to severe pet allergies, any amount of shedding can trigger an allergic reaction.
People with very mild pet allergies may do better with a low-shedding dog like a Boston terrier than they would with a heavy shedder like a Labrador retriever, but for most people with pet allergies, it’s better to choose a non-shedding breed.
If you love the Boston terrier's spunk and size, consider one of these allergy-friendly small dogs instead:
But, be warned, there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs. If you have allergies, you should try living short-term with a breed before you adopt. Consider fostering or pet-sitting the breed to decide if living with that breed will trigger an allergic reaction.
If you don’t have allergies but like to keep a tidy home, there are several steps you can take to manage Boston terrier shedding and reduce the hair in your environment.
A healthy coat sheds less than an unhealthy one. To keep your Boston’s tuxedo coat at its best, try these techniques to support their overall skin and coat health and reduce shedding in the process.
When Boston terriers have a healthy coat, they should only shed lightly. If you notice excessive shedding that’s leaving bald or sparse patches where you can see your dog’s skin through their coat, talk to your vet. Excessive shedding can be a sign of fleas, mange, or another underlying health issue.
Yes, Boston terriers shed, but this dog’s smooth, short coat sheds significantly less than breeds with a double coat, like Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, and Pomeranians. If you bring home a Boston terrier, you can expect to see light shedding year-round.
For dog lovers who are concerned about shedding because they like to keep a tidy house, the American Gentleman can still make an excellent low-shedding choice. They’re easy to clean up after with occasional vacuuming, and their low-maintenance coats only need to be brushed once a week to remove dead hair and distribute the natural oils. Add a fish oil supplement to their haircare routine, and your little gentleman (or woman) will sport a sleek, shiny tuxedo coat.
But, if you’re an owner who needs a hypoallergenic dog, the Boston terrier is not an ideal choice for you. This dog’s shedding will still spread dander around your home, triggering your allergies. Instead look for a non-shedding dog breed, like a miniature poodle, bichon frise, miniature schnauzer, or Yorkshire terrier.
For more information on your favorite dog breeds, visit the Native Pet blog.
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