Will my lab shed, and other information

Have you ever wondered, “Does a Lab Shed?” Or maybe you’re considering bringing a Labrador puppy into your family and are curious about the dog hair that will accompany your decision. “Will my lab shed” is a common question asked by those who are intrigued by the Labrador retriever and who are thinking about taking the next step toward ownership. Thinking about a Lab puppy? Visit us here.

Labrador coat type

Not to be confused with the white lab coat worn by your physician, the correct Labrador coat type is considered to be a short, double coat. As the name implies, the Lab’s coat consists of an outer coat and an under coat. 

The big question: will my lab shed?

In a word, yes. A Labrador will shed a lot, primarily in the spring and fall seasons. Most especially, a lab will shed in the spring as the cold weather is receding and the dog no longer has a need for its thick winter coat. Remember the thick undercoat mentioned earlier? The dog has to get rid of that in the spring lest it be too heavily wrapped through the hot summer months. 

How to manage the famous lab shed

You can manage Lab shedding with ease by implementing a few simple routines to your life. Brushing your shedding lab is a huge part of this (more on that later). The other part? Sweep and/or vacuum your home regularly. 3 times per week is good, though some prefer to do these simple tasks daily.

Why an undercoat that the lab sheds?

Another reason for why labs shed goes back to their history. They were bred as working dogs used for retrieving. Their work often required them to dive into rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes to fetch whatever their masters sent them for. That undercoat with which you are by now quite familiar, was useful to keep them warm during their tasks. This is especially important since a lot of retrieving is done during the fall and winter months when the water (and air) is cold. 

Labrador colors

Moving on to other facts about the Labrador’s beautiful coat, a Lab’s fur can come in one of three colors: black, chocolate, or yellow. There isn’t a loser among the three when produced correctly! You can read more about the colors produced in Labrador retrievers on our page about that topic. 

How does a Labrador’s coat feel?

A lab’s coat can feel slightly coarse to touch. This is because of the outer coat. The outer coat is waterproof and just as important to the retrieving job as the warm and cozy undercoat. The outer coat can produce a mild oil that assists in the waterproofing, so don’t be surprised if your hands feel super soft after petting your furry friend. 

Dog hair vs. dog fur

What a great question, especially in a world saturated with Lab mixes and designer breeds of all types! A purebred Lab has fur. The big difference between dog fur and dog hair is that hair (looking at you, designer dogs) requires regular trimming and grooming. Think of it like your own hair. A fur coat is much easier to maintain. Just brush regularly, with frequency determined by the breed. A Lab usually needs to be brushed once or twice per month, with more during periods of heavy shedding. 

Labrador coat care

The best way to care for your Lab’s coat is by brushing them often. A couple of times a month is ideal all year around. During the seasons when your Lab sheds, several times a week is perfect. Occasional bathing is also good. We recommend 3-4 routine baths in a year. 

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