Do Pitbulls Shed? (Pit Bull Shedding Guide)

If you’re considering adopting a Pitty and want to know whether or not he’s likely to fill your home with hair, you’re in the right place.

The short answer is yes, they do shed!

However, Pitbulls are NOT an individual breed of dog. The name “Pit Bull” is actually used to describe a type of dog developed from bulldogs and terriers, so there’s more than one individual dog that is referred to as a Pitbull.

That said, most pit bull-type dogs are moderate-to-high shedders.

Read on to learn more about Pit Bulls, how much they shed and what they’re like to groom, so you have a better idea of what to expect before adopting!

Pit Bull Shedding – What to Expect

As mentioned, the Pit Bull (AKA Pitbull, Pitty, or Bully) is not an individual breed of dog, it’s a type of dog developed from bulldogs and terriers. And according to Wikipedia, there are four breeds that make up the pit bull-type:

• American Bulldog
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier

Each pit bull-type breed is either a moderate shedder or somewhere in that ballpark, and most have a tendency to shed more fur seasonally.

So, overall, we’re giving them a four out of five for shedding.

Many people think dogs with short coats don’t shed much, but that’s a common misconception. There are plenty of short-coated dogs that shed heavily.

The length of the hair can make a difference as to how noticeable the shedding is compared with a longhaired dog, but you may be in for a surprise if you think short fur equals non-shedding.

It’s also worth mentioning that, as with most dogs, Pittys tend to shed more heavily during certain seasons, for example late spring/early summer. And while this can increase the fur you see floating around, it’s perfectly normal, they are simply adapting to the changing season.

Either way, shedding (or molting) is to be expected. Almost all dogs do this to varying extents as it is part of the natural hair growth cycle. And while Pitbulls are far from low shedders, it could be worse. Some dogs, like the German Shepherd for example, shed so heavily it’ll make your Pit Bull look like a Hairless American Terrier.

Note: Sometimes shedding can be caused by things such as fleas, allergies, poor diet, or any number of potential underlying health issues. So if you have any concerns about your dog’s shedding, it may be worth contacting a qualified veterinarian.

Are they hypoallergenic?

Pit Bulls are not considered to be a hypoallergenic dog breed. Mostly because their coat produces lots of dander and when they shed, they spread this dander around the home. So if you have pet related allergies, you may find that there are more suitable breeds.

How do you stop the shedding?

You can’t stop a Pitty from shedding completely, shedding is what dogs do. They’ve been doing it for thousands of years, so I’m guessing they’re not about to stop now. But the good news is, you can learn to manage the shedding through simple, yet important, things such as proper diet, exercise, hydration and regular grooming.

Related: 13 Ways to Stop Your Dog Shedding Excessively

At the top of the list here is diet. There’s no special dog food that can eliminate shedding, but it’s definitely worth selecting a high quality dog food as this may improve your dog’s overall health and wellbeing, and help keep his coat in optimal condition. Also, dog foods that contain things like Omega-3 and Omega-6 are known to help when it comes to shedding.

In any case, once you have that sorted, the next thing to consider in the battle against molting is the grooming side of things. So let’s take a closer look at this now.

Grooming a Pitbull

Pitbulls have short, smoorth, low-maintenance coats. Which makes grooming them very straightforward compared to most dogs.

All they really need is a quick brush once or twice a week to maintain their coat, keep them looking great and to remove any loose fur.

It’s up to you what sort of brush you use, but what we find works well on short-coated dogs like the Pitty is either a medium bristle brush or rubber brush. These are both easy-to-use, inexpensive brushes and are ideal for dogs with short hair.

Some like to use a deshedding tool during heavier periods of shedding because these can save you some time and effort, but these are typically more expensive and not really necessary for dogs with such short, smooth coats.

Either way, brushing can be a very effective way to maintain your dog’s coat and keep as much hair out of your home as possible. Not only does brushing limit how much fur he drops onto your floors and furniture, but it can help spread his natural skin oils evenly over the coat, which in turn can promote healthier, stronger hairs.

What about bathing?

There’s no set rule, but bathing every two-to-three months should do the trick. Just be sure to use a good quality dog shampoo when you do bathe him to avoid drying out or irritating his skin. This matters because dry, irritated skin is something that can lead to excessive shedding and it’s just not good for your dog.

Other than that, grooming is mostly about making sure his nails are trimmed and that his teeth and ears are clean. The usual stuff really.

Bottom Line

Pit Bulls are often described as loyal, courageous, trustworthy and good-natured dogs. Like Rottweilers, they are sometimes stereotyped as aggressive. But how well-behaved any dog is has a lot to do with how well they are trained, socialized, and the leadership of the owner.

In any case, Pittys do molt and there are more suitable dog breeds for allergy sufferers. But on the plus side, they are very easy to groom. So it’s not difficult to control the shedding and keep your home relatively free of dog fur.