The Truth About Dog Shedding

Until we brought home our white English lab puppy at the end of last summer, I had never owned a dog in my entire life. Bo is a quarantine puppy, and we were one of the endless numbers of American families that took advantage of all that extra "home" time last year to bring in an addition to our family.

When we were researching which breed to choose, I focused on dogs that would be great with kids and had a laid back and agreeable personality. Admittedly, I did read that labs shed quite a bit, but I dismissed the info. I've owned cats before, and I thought I had dealt with shedding.

I hadn't. Not even close.

We are dealing with a shedding crisis right now in my house. It is out of control. We could vacuum our couch every single day, and you'll still get covered in white fur if I invite you into my home and offer you a seat.

I find myself hesitating to hug and play with the dog because I don't want to get hair all over me before heading out to work or to an important meeting. That bothers me, because I love showing my buddy affection, but I can't stand constantly being covered in fur.

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Amanda from Plymouth chirped in on the Fun 107 app and said that she "doesn't ever allow her Golden on the couch for this very reason."

Liz Burton from Fairhaven said, "We have a chocolate lab, Siberia husky and a husky mix. The hair is EVERYWHERE! Every spring. Hang in there!"

Jay from Acushnet says it matters what you feed your dog. "The type of food you feed your dog can sometimes affect how they shed. There are dog foods out there that promote healthier coats which means less shedding. Maybe this will help you," he said.

I spoke with Johnelle Ciano, owner at Emma Marie's Dog Grooming, and she told me that they have shampoo treatments that can offer some improvement, but shedding is just part of life with a Labrador. Ciano said there are two times a year that you can expect excessive shedding – in the spring and in the winter – and that regular grooming can help.