Blowing Fur or Shedding?

[Rachel & Gatsby]

I'm a first time labradoodle owner. I got Gatsby when he was 8 weeks old from the animal shelter. He's 5 months now. Over the past few months I've noticed tiny tufts of fur on the floor (no bald spots). Not a lot, and not very big. However, within the past few weeks I've found more and more. Also, I've never found just individual strands -- they're just tufts.
In your opinion, is he blowing his fur and this will stop? Or is he shedding and it's going to get worse?

I don't know what generation he is. I'm guessing his parents were full blood lab and standard poodle respectively.

He's a shaggy little fellow, though.

 

Any help would be appreciated. (:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46128622@N02/4965508960/

 

[Adina P]

I would guess he's a shedder, but he might be blowing some puppy fur to make it seem worse.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Gatsby is just darling. My guess is that he is a first generation which are more likely to shed.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Gatsby is adorable. I'm guessing he's shedding. I have two non-shedding Doodles, and I never found any tufts of hair when my older guy went through the coat change. My 8 month old is now starting the coat change, and I'm not finding any "tufts" or strands on the floor either. Instead he's matting....I'm not sure which is worse.

[Rachel & Gatsby]

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate your input. I've googled some stuff, but, like I said, I never knew if he was just shedding or blowing his coat.

Right now, it's not terrible bad. I can just pick them up of the floor and throw it away. Maybe once the weather gets cooler it won't be as bad??

Thanks again. (:

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Rachel - it will be worse during this time since his coat is changing. It sounds like he will always shed though (based on his fur type). I would guess it will subside, but might take a while. Peri, for example, doesn't shed, but she did shed and matt during her coat change (probably 6 months to 1 year - it takes a while).

[Sandi]

You can always try the "mother in law" test. Send your MIL, wearing white pants, into a room with Gatsby. She will let you know if he's shedding or not!!!

Whatever she says, he is soooo cute!