I brush the dog outside and leave the hair. I've seen birds picking up clumps of hair, presumably for their nests.

Dog hair is good... dryer lint is not... please read the thread linked below...

Here is a link that might be useful: Dryer Lint

My daughter gives our dog her first summer hair clipping about now. She works on the backyard table, so the hair can just blow away. I am going to have to watch now to see if any birds are using it.
thanks.

Me too. Must find some decomposable lightweight materials for birds to take to their nests. Actually, shook out a rug the other day that (my) housebunns had fun shredding, and I figured a few thick cotton threads in the grass might get used by nestbuilders. I temporarily left 'em in the scrubby-looking front porch spirea row. Will take the dog out for a good combing this weekend too.

Thanks for the info on dryer lint. I never used it but I might have thought it was a good idea.

The birds DO love dog hair though. Glad to hear it's ok. I put it out on the grass and on the deck as well as in a loose yarn bag near the bird feeder. I always wondered if the nestlings will ever think of my dog as "Mom"? Would be funny if one of them ever landed on my dog when she was outside sleeping. Seems like it could happen :-)

I started putting it on my gardens hoping it would scare the rabbits that were eating young shrubs. I think they use it to line their nests too, though.

When I had my golden retrever, we would always leave his hair outside for the birds. Durring nesting season it was funny to watch because he was so laid back, birds would sometimes come up to him and pull hair out. It was usually be the finches and the house wrens that did it.

I groomed my dog outside yesterday, and within five minutes there was a bird taking pieces of the fur. It was too far away for me to tell what kind of bird it was.

I also cut small pieces of knitting yarn and lay on my boxwoods for the birds to use as nesting material. Quite entertaining to watch them pick through the colorful pieces in deciding which one they want!

I buy bags of cotton balls and spread them all over my backyard. I take each ball and strech it a little. The birds love them.

I have been wondering what to do with all this dog hair. Now it will go to good use.