Coat care
Deshedding Double-Coated Dogs: Why You Should Never Shave Them
How undercoat blowing works, the right tools and routine, and why clipping a husky or a collie down for summer usually backfires.
What a double coat is for
Breeds like huskies, German shepherds and collies carry a dense, insulating undercoat beneath a longer guard coat. This structure regulates body temperature in both directions, trapping insulating air in winter and, when properly maintained, helping release heat and shade the skin in summer.
Managing the seasonal 'blow'
Twice a year, double-coated breeds shed their undercoat heavily over several weeks. An undercoat rake or de-shedding tool used several times a week during this period, working in sections down to the skin, removes the loose fur before it becomes matted and dramatically reduces shedding around the home.
- Brush before bathing, not only after, to loosen dead undercoat
- A high-velocity dryer used by a professional groomer can blow out huge amounts of loose undercoat in one session
- Daily brushing during the blow is realistic and worthwhile; it is not overkill
Why shaving is usually the wrong answer
Shaving a double coat removes its ability to regulate temperature and to protect the skin from sunburn, and the coat frequently regrows unevenly, patchily or not at all afterwards, sometimes permanently changing its texture. A well-maintained double coat keeps a dog cooler in summer than a shaved one; the fix for a shedding, matted dog is more brushing, not less coat.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it ever appropriate to clip a double-coated dog?
- Only for a genuine medical reason, such as matting too severe to brush out or a skin condition requiring access, and ideally judged by a groomer or vet — not as routine summer maintenance.