Are Schnauzers Hypoallergenic? And Do They Molt or Shed?

My sweet, hard-working mom was raised on a small farm. Her childhood was filled with horses, dogs, chickens, and a large watermelon patch. At what point she become highly allergic to all of her childhood animals is not clear. All I know is that as an adult she is dangerously allergic to pets and animals of all types. When we decided that a pet dog would be great for our kids, we had to take her allergies seriously. My husband, in particular, did some heavy research into which dogs were hypoallergenic enough to be possibilities for us. We settled on Schnauzers, and here’s what we found.

Are Schnauzers hypoallergenic? Yes, all Schnauzers are considered to be hypoallergenic because of their low tendency to cause an allergic reaction in humans. This is because Schnauzers shed and drool very little and, as a result, they don’t leave behind many protein-filled dead skin cells called dander. Dander can be found in shed hair, drool, and even urine.

All Schnauzer breeds, Giant, Standard, and Miniature, are great choices for families or individuals with allergies.

While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, Schnauzers top the list of pets who can be tolerated by those of us with allergies because they produce so little pet dander.

However, there are some misunderstandings as to why Schnauzers are hypoallergenic, whether they shed or molt, and when to be concerned if your Schnauzer begins to shed a lot.

Let’s cover those specifics.

Why Are Schnauzers Hypoallergenic?

It’s all too common to associate a dog being “hypoallergenic” with a dog who “doesn’t shed.”

The reality is that a pet allergy is not actually a reaction to the hair. Even with dogs or other animals who shed a lot of hair, it is not the hair itself that causes the problem…it’s the dander.

What is Pet Dander?

Allergic reactions are produced by pet dander, and dander is simply a collection of dead skin cells that are shed along with hair and fur, but also shed in urine and drool.

Humans with animal allergies are reacting to proteins (allergens) that are secreted by the animal’s oil glands. These allergens are then shed with dead skins cells as a normal part of growth, renewal, and elimination processes. As a result, dander tends to be collected and present in hair, fur, urine, and saliva.

In animals who shed a lot of hair or fur, or who tend to drool a lot, pet dander is spread far and wide through its environment. Unsuspecting allergic humans will naturally have reactions that range from mild to severe.

Schnauzers have a low tendency to shed and drool, and as a result, don’t produce much dander.

Do Schnauzers Shed?

Yes, Schnauzers shed.

However, your Schnauzer’s shedding is similar to your own natural shedding. It’s a good and accurate comparison to keep in mind, especially since excessive shedding from your Schnauzer may signal a health problem. We’ll cover that later in this article.

For now, just know that Schnauzers will generally not leave noticeable hair on your flooring, bedding, or furniture any more than you do. They may shed slightly more at the beginning of new seasons, but it may not even be noticeable to you.

In addition to understanding why Schnauzers are considered to be hypoallergenic, it’s good to understand the nature of their coat and what it takes to maintain it.

Schnauzers Have a Double Coat

Because Schnauzers don’t shed their coat like other dog breeds, their coat requires a lot more maintenance from you.

Schnauzers are born with a double, wiry coat that requires brushing and ongoing grooming. The outer coat is thick and wiry, and the undercoat is much softer.

Since Schnauzers don’t shed their coat, you need to hand strip (meaning, hand pluck) their outercoat and undercoat, or you can use clippers to essentially remove the wiry outercoat and simply maintain the soft undercoat with regular clipping.

Traditional Schnauzer grooming practices require full and regular hand stripping, but many current Schnauzer pet parents opt for some combination of using clippers and hand stripping, or simply removing the outer coat with clippers.

What is Hand Stripping?

For dogs with a double coat, such as Schnauzers, hand stripping is the process of removing dead hair.

The topcoat hair is removed by plucking them with fingers or by using a stripping knife. A stripping stone is generally used to remove the dead undercoat hair. There is some debate over whether or not this process is painful. Only dead hair should be stripped away, and an experienced groomer should be able to do it painlessly.

Hand Stripping is required for show dogs, and is the only way to maintain an officially recognized and traditional Schnauzer coat.

However, using clippers to groom Schnauzers is becoming much more common.

Do Schnauzers Lose Their Puppy Coat?

Unlike other dog breeds, Schnauzer puppies do not lose their “puppy” coat.

Many breeders and groomers recommend fully brushing or hand stripping the puppy coat at about 8 weeks old.

Differences in How Much the Various Schnauzer Breeds Shed

As a breed, there isn’t a lot of difference in how much Miniature, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers shed.

They all have a double coat (unless the outer coat has been clipped), and all require the same type of coat maintenance.

The primary difference comes down to size.

In general, Standard and Giant Schnauzers may seem to shed slightly more. However, this is only because of their size and the sheer amount of hair their coat develops.

How to Maintain Your Schnauzer’s Hypoallergenic Coat

Because Schnauzers do not shed easily, maintaining their coat is a necessity. You will need to brush and groom his coat daily to prevent an accumulation of dirt and to prevent matting. Your Schnauzer’s wiry coat can become tangled easily, and food is easily trapped in his beard.

Here are some tips to help you in grooming and maintaining your Schnauzer’s hypoallergenic coat.

Brushing

The wiry coat of Schnauzers must be maintained and groomed, and you should do it regularly to prevent matting. Daily maintenance using a wire brush is the best way to go, but if mats appear, you’ll want to untangle them (if possible) or simply trim them out.

Trimming Eyebrows and Ears

You should also trim the hair around the ears and eyes regularly using blunt-nosed scissors. Gently washing your Schnauzers eyes with a warm washcloth with help to minimize the build-up of black eye discharge that commonly collect at the inner corner of the eye. Schnauzers also grow a fair amount of hair inside their ears, and you will want to gently clean and inspect them each week.

Cleaning the Beard Daily

Your Schnauzer’s iconic beard is a distinguishing, eye-catching feature. It’s also a trap for food, water, and ultimately, dirt and bacteria. You’ll need to wipe it after each meal, and actually wash it each day for the best upkeep.

Bathing

Schnauzers, especially Miniature Schnauzers, tend to have oily skin. Bathing at least once per week will help to keep his coat and skin clean. You may not need to bathe a Standard or Giant Schnauzer as often. Bathing will also help to prevent (or treat) any Schnauzer bumps or comedones that have developed as a result of the oil. Read my article What are Schnauzer Bumps (Can They be Popped or Infected?) for helpful details and steps.

Hand Stripping or Clipping

You might consider paying extra attention to his coat in the fall and spring since he may shed slightly more during the change in seasons. You have the option of hand stripping or using clippers to keep your Schnauzer well-maintained. There are many at-home grooming tools and options, and having your Schnauzer professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks is recommended.

Worrisome Reasons for Excessive Shedding in Schnauzers

Now that we’ve established that Schnauzers are hypoallergenic, do not shed much of their hair (and in fact, need help shedding their dead hair), let’s talk about some reasons behind excessive shedding and how to address it.

For Schnauzers, shedding excessive hair is not common or normal. While you may need to work with your veterinarian to determine the full cause, the most common reasons are due to stress and disease or illness. If you Schnauzer is shedding excessively, it is also possible that he is not purebred.

Here are common reasons for excessive shedding:

Genetic factors

Genetic factors are the result of the breeding process and selection of the sire (male) and the dam (female). Reputable breeders will always breed for improvement and to minimize genetic weaknesses. However, not everyone follows excellent breeding practices. Even if your breeder followed best practices, there may be a genetic predisposition to extra shedding as a result of the sire and dam pairing. Your breeder should always be able to provide your Schnauzer’s pedigree so that you can follow up with genetic research or questions. If you want to confirm that your Schnauzer is purebred, genetic testing is also an option.

Stress

Schnauzers may also shed excessively due to stress. Your Schnauzer puppy may shed when you bring him home. Adjusting to a new environment can be stressful and he may shed more noticeably as a result. Adult and senior Schnauzers can also become stressed for a variety of reasons, and shedding may be one sign of their distress. Read my article Is my Schnauzer Stressed? (How to Tell and What to Do) for a list of signs and solutions.

Diseases and Disorders

Loss of hair can also be associated with hormonal imbalance. If your Schnauzer produces too much estrogen or cortisone, he may noticeably lose hair. Hypothyroidism causes overall hair loss, and ringworm causes hair loss at the infection site. Schnauzer bumps (Comedone Syndrome) can also cause hair loss around the bumps, but doesn’t cause overall shedding. You may want to read our Comprehensive Guide to Schnauzer Health Problems for a details on the symptoms and treatments for common Schnauzer health issues.

In addition, here is a specific list of health reasons your Schnauzer may be shedding excessively:

• Cancer
• Kidney, liver, thyroid or adrenal disease (including Cushing’s, which Schnauzers can develop
• Immune disease
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Medications
• Self-induced irritation due to licking
• Contact with irritating or caustic substances
• Parasites (fleas, lice or mites)
• Fungal or bacterial infections
• Allergies
• Sunburn

When to See Your Veterinarian About Shedding

Your Schnauzer will naturally lose damaged or old hair with minimal shedding, and a consistent brushing and grooming routine will help to keep his coat and skin healthy.

Although the shedding process is normal dogs, the frequency and amount of hair that your Schnauzer sheds often depends upon his health.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, consult with your veterinarian for treatment and professional advice:

• Open sores
• Skin irritation, including bumps, redness, rashes or scabs
• Scratching
• Constant face rubbing or foot licking
• Dull, dry fur that pulls out with ease
• Thinning of the coat or bald spots

Just to Be Clear: What Is the Difference Between Molting and Shedding?

While it may not be the most important thing you need to know about Schnauzers, this is a question that actually comes up sometimes.

Some dog breeds very heavily shed their coat at each new season. It seems to have led to the belief that dogs “molt.”

This is only dangerous if anyone believes that Schnauzers molt or that shedding a tremendous amount of hair is normal.

As I mentioned above, Schnauzer puppies can shed a lot of hair (perhaps specifically if their coat has not been brushed well or if they are experiencing stress), and older Schnauzers can shed more noticeably for any the reasons listed above.

At every stage of life, though, all Schnauzers are still considered to be hypoallergenic even if they are shedding more than usual.

However, Schnauzers should generally not shed much, and excessive shedding should always be a signal to you that something needs to be addressed.

So, Do Schnauzers Molt?

Schnauzers technically do not molt. Molting, biologically speaking, is the complete casting off of coverings such an exoskeleton, feathers, horns, and skin (think “snakeskin”) in preparation for completely new growth. Schnauzers do shed hair as much as humans do, but it is minimal.

If your Schnauzer is shedding a lot of hair, it may indicate an underlying problem, and you should consider consulting your veterinarian as soon as possible.

What is Molting?

Molting and shedding look like similar processes, but they’re considerably different in technique and purpose. Some reptile and animals with exoskeletons molt while animals with hair shed. Molting is nature’s method of preparing some animals for a new phase of growth while shedding prepares the animals for different seasonal changes.

As human beings grow, our skin grows along as we age and it gently renews itself with almost imperceptible shedding.

However, some animals naturally possess skin that does not grow. Most of the animals that molt as a result of this reason are found in the arachnid, crustacean, reptile, and insect families. Arachnids like scorpions and tarantulas, along with many types of insects with exoskeletons, naturally molt.

Animals with exoskeletons have their bones on the outside instead of the inside, giving some animals a hardened shell. Because the shell is quite hard, it must be eliminated from time to time as the body of the animal grows to allow room for the growing body.

Snakes shed their entire covering of skin because it does not grow with them, and they don’t have an outer shell to remove.

Birds also molt, not because they require room to grow, but as a response to seasonal changes. Like many mammals, birds experience a hormonal response to seasonal changes. This hormonal change can signal molting. The frequency and degree of molting vary with the bird species. Some birds molt once a year while some do it several times per year.

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A Schnauzer’s skin and coat is one view you have as to his well-being and health. Healthy skin and a healthy coat on the outside are good, clear signs that your Schnauzer is doing well on the inside.

In addition, your Schnauzer relies on hair to protect his skin, assist in regulating body temperature, and to insulate his internal organs from heat and cold. Keeping his coat healthy with a good diet and health care will ensure that he sheds normally and maintains the coat he needs.

Schnauzers tend to shed in essentially the same way, and at the same rate, as we do. You can use that knowledge to gauge whether or not your Schnauzer is shedding excessively and whether or not he potentially needs medical attention.

The fact that all Schnauzer breeds are hypoallergenic keep them near the top of the all-time favorite dog breeds. If you or someone you love has allergies, but would love to have the love and companionship of a furry friend, any breed of Schnauzer might just be the perfect choice.

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