Genetics

The Shedding Gene: Why Some Doodles Shed More Than Others

Why does one Cavapoo shed and another doesn't? Beyond curl and furnishings, there's a third gene — MC5R — that directly influences shedding. Here's how it works.

July 25, 2024 · 4 min read

The MC5R Gene and Shedding

The MC5R (Melanocortin 5 receptor) gene influences the rate at which hair follicles cycle — essentially controlling how quickly hair is shed and replaced. Dogs with certain MC5R variants shed less than those without it. This gene is separate from the KRT71 (curl) and RSPO2 (furnishings) genes, which is why two dogs with identical curl and furnishing genotypes can still have different shedding levels.

How It Interacts With Other Coat Genes

In doodles and Poodle crosses, the combination of low-shedding MC5R genotype + furnishings (RSPO2) + curl (KRT71) produces the classic 'allergy-friendly' coat. A dog with curl and furnishings but a shedding MC5R variant may still shed significantly more than expected. DNA coat panels that include MC5R alongside RSPO2 and KRT71 give breeders the most complete picture of shedding potential.

What This Means for Allergy-Sensitive Buyers

No dog is truly 100% hypoallergenic — allergies in humans are typically triggered by the Can f 1 protein in dog saliva and dander, not just hair. However, low-shedding dogs distribute less dander around the home and are better tolerated by many allergy-sensitive people. Asking a doodle breeder about MC5R testing in their breeding dogs gives you more information than just 'F1B is low-shedding' generalizations.