Introduction
There are key differences between dog fur and dog hair that determine how a dog’s coat will look and feel. While all dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat, the length, texture, and properties of these coats can vary greatly between breeds. Understanding whether a dog has fur or hair can give you insight into grooming needs, shedding, allergies, and more.
This article provides an overview of the characteristics of fur versus hair on dogs. It covers how to identify if a breed has fur or hair, comparisons of grooming and shedding, and tips for owners. Recognizing and managing the type of coat your dog has is an important part of caring for their health and comfort.
What is Dog Fur?
Dog fur is made up of secondary hairs that sprout from a single follicle. Unlike hair, which usually grows as one solid shaft from the follicle, fur consists of an inner primary hair surrounded by lots of secondary hairs (Source). The secondary hairs provide insulation to help keep dogs warm. Fur tends to be thick and dense compared to hair. It undergoes seasonal growth cycles, becoming thicker in the winter to provide extra insulation against the cold and shedding in the warmer months when less insulation is needed.
What is Dog Hair?
Dog hair differs from fur in a few key ways:
Dog hair is made up of primary hairs, rather than a combination of primary and secondary hairs like fur. Primary hairs grow from a single follicle in the dog’s skin, so hair consists of simple strands.
Dog hair plays an important role in cooling, as it does not provide insulation like thick fur. The individual strands allow air to circulate close to the skin, releasing heat from the dog’s body. This makes hair ideal for breeds originating in hot climates.
Dog breeds with hair tend to shed more than furry breeds. The hair often falls out in clumps rather than being released more gradually along with undercoat during seasonal shedding. Regular brushing and grooming is important for dogs with hair to remove loose hairs and prevent matting.
Overall, dog hair differs from fur in that it lacks an undercoat and consists only of primary hairs growing from single follicles. The individual strands aid cooling but shed more intensely than fur.
Breeds with Fur
Many breeds of dogs have a double coat made up of a soft, downy undercoat and a tougher outer coat that contains fur. This combination helps insulate them from the cold. Some examples of dog breeds with fur coats include:
- Siberian Husky – This breed has a thick, double coat of fur to protect it from the harsh cold. The undercoat is soft and wooly while the outer coat contains longer guard hairs.[1]
- Samoyed – Originating in Siberia, this breed has a heavy white coat with a straight outer layer and soft, thick undercoat. Their fur helps them handle frigid temperatures.
- Chow Chow – With their abundant furry coat, Chow Chows can withstand temperatures far below freezing. Their fur is particularly dense around the neck, giving them a mane-like appearance.
- Newfoundland – The water-resistant double coat of the Newfoundland contains coarse, long guard hairs over a downy undercoat. This allows them to work in cold water.
- Golden Retriever – While not as heavy as some cold weather breeds, the Golden Retriever has a double coat suited for outdoor work and activities.
- Keeshond – This breed from Holland has a mane of thick fur around the neck and shoulders along with a wooly undercoat.
In addition to insulation, the fur coats of these breeds require specialized grooming to remove dead hair and prevent matting.
[1] https://healthyhomemadedogtreats.com/10-dog-breeds-with-fur-between-toes/
Breeds with Hair
Many small dog breeds have hair instead of fur. Some examples of breeds with hair include:
- Yorkshire Terrier – This popular small breed has fine, silky hair that parts down the middle of their back. Their hair keeps growing and needs regular trimming and grooming (Source).
- Maltese – Known for their long, straight white hair, Maltese dogs require daily brushing and grooming. Their hair continuously grows but doesn’t shed much (Source).
- Poodle – Poodles have curly hypoallergenic coats that can be groomed in various styles. Their hair needs regular brushing and clipping (Source).
- Shih Tzu – This energetic small dog has long, silky hair that requires daily brushing. Their hair keeps growing and needs regular trimming (Source).
- Havanese – Known for their long, wavy coats, Havanese dogs need regular brushing and grooming. Their hair tends to mat if not cared for properly (Source).
Grooming Fur vs Hair
When it comes to grooming, there are some key differences between dog fur and dog hair. Dogs with fur generally require more frequent brushing to prevent matting and tangles. Their fur tends to trap dirt and debris, so regular brushing helps remove loose hair and redistribute oils over the coat. Dense fur with an undercoat needs thorough brushing to reach down to the skin and prevent knots 1. Shedding is also heavier in double-coated breeds.
In contrast, dogs with hair often require less frequent brushing as their hair does not mat as easily. Their hair grows continuously and sheds less than fur. However, many coated breeds still benefit from regular brushing to remove dead hair and distribute oils. Proper brushing technique is important to avoid damage to the hair coat 2.
When it comes to shedding, fur tends to shed heavily during seasonal coat blows. Dogs with hair shed less overall, though hair loss is continuous. Shedding is generally less noticeable in coated breeds. Loose hair may get trapped within the coat rather than falling out, so brushing is helpful for removing dead hair.
Allergies
When it comes to allergies, fur can cause more issues than hair. While no dog is completely hypoallergenic, the type of coat can impact allergy symptoms. As explained on AKC.org, “Dogs with hair do tend to be less allergenic than dogs with fur.” This is because dogs with fur shed more often, releasing more dander into the environment. Dander contains proteins that cause allergic reactions in humans.
Additionally, dogs with curly hair like poodles may trap dander in their coat instead of releasing it into the air. As DogTime notes, “However, dogs who have curly hair may be better for allergy sufferers because the curls trap dander and allergens close to the dog’s body.” So while no dog is completely hypoallergenic, those with hair may cause less severe allergic reactions than furry breeds.
Costs
Grooming costs are generally higher for dogs with hair vs. fur. This is because dogs with hair, like Poodles and Bichon Frises, require more maintenance and specialized haircuts (source). Their hair continuously grows and doesn’t shed, meaning it requires frequent trimming and styling by professional groomers. On average, grooming a dog with hair costs $60-100 per visit, depending on the breed and haircut complexity. In comparison, short-haired or smooth-coated dogs with fur, like Labradors and Beagles, range from $30-50 for grooming. Their fur is lower maintenance, needing just occasional trims and baths (source). Proper grooming for dogs with hair is essential for preventing mats and keeping the coat healthy. So grooming expenses for high-maintenance hair coats build up significantly more over time than short, easy-care fur.
Shedding
One of the key differences between fur and hair is how much each sheds throughout the year. Fur tends to shed a lot more than hair.
This is because dogs with fur have a thick undercoat that sheds heavily during seasonal changes, especially during spring and fall. The undercoat turns over completely up to two times per year to adapt to warmer or colder temperatures. This results in dogs with fur shedding clumps of hair multiple times a year.
According to the AKC, dog breeds with fur can shed as much as 90% of their coats during seasonal shedding periods (AKC). This can mean a lot of hair left around the house that requires frequent vacuuming.
In contrast, dogs with hair only shed around 3-5% of their coats at once. Their hair grows continuously and does not have a thick insulating undercoat. This results in significantly less shedding throughout the year compared to fur.
So in summary, fur sheds substantially more than hair, especially during seasonal changes when the undercoat is replaced. This is an important consideration for owners in terms of grooming and cleaning requirements.
Conclusion
In summary, the key differences between dog fur and dog hair come down to texture, length, growth cycle, and shedding amount. Fur is generally thicker, longer, and grows slower compared to hair. Double-coated breeds like huskies and collies have fur that helps insulate them from the cold. Meanwhile, single-coated breeds like poodles and yorkies have hair that continues growing and requires regular grooming. Both fur and hair breeds shed, but dogs with hair tend to shed less and more evenly throughout the year compared to heavy seasonal shedding in fur breeds. Grooming and allergy considerations also differ between fur and hair dogs. Knowing whether a breed has fur or hair can help determine the best dog for your lifestyle.
To recap, fur is warmer, denser and sheds more seasonally than hair. Hair tends to be softer, grows continuously, and sheds year-round. With proper grooming and preparation, both fur and hair dogs can make wonderful companions.