Double Coat Breeds and Shaving

Many dog breeds sport a double coat. But even the most well-studied dog owners might not know how to properly take care of their dog’s double coat. WoW Grooming Mobile groomer’s, Ricky & Rayza, are often asked to shave Husky’s and Pomeranian’s. Pet parents are surprised to know we do not recommend shaving double coated breeds. We educate pet parents on the consequences of shaving double coated breeds.

What is a double coat?

A dog’s double coat consists of two different coat types. A soft undercoat and a long, thick outer coat, each of which performs different functions to protect the dog from different elements. Common dog breeds that have a double coat include German Shepherd, Pomeranian, Chow Chow, Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain, and Samoyed.

Double coats are meant to protect your dog from both the cold and the heat. The undercoat keeps the dog warm in the winter months, but it also keeps cool air close to the skin during the summer months. The outer coat is meant to resist the elements like snow and UV rays.

It’s too hot!!

When a dog has an exceptionally thick coat, you may think that shaving all that fur, especially during the summer months, is the right thing to do. After all, how else is your dog supposed to keep cool? It makes perfect sense to shave your dog when it gets hot outside, right? Actually, it doesn’t.

Let me explain, double coats are not like jackets; you shouldn’t remove them when it gets hot. In fact, doing so could not only ruin the coat when it grows back in, but it could also make your dog uncomfortable! Remember, a dog’s undercoat acts as a sort of insulation to regulate body temperature. Tampering with it by shaving it all off will leave your dog feeling hotter than when he had his coat. Plus, shaving your dog’s double coat puts him at a greater risk of sunburn or heat stroke.

Why we do not recommend shaving

1. A double coat, like insulation, keeps your dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
2. A double coat protects against the sun rays and sunburn.
3. Shaving can cause the texture of the coat to change and may become thicker, thinner, fuzzy, course, patchy or stringy.

4. Shaving damages the dog’s coat natural hair growth cycle, resulting in hair taking twice as long to come back or not growing back at all.

5. Shaving does not prevent shedding; the dog will just shed shorter hair in fact the hair could shed more after shaving.

Shaving your dog’s double coat isn’t recommended to keep him cool during the summer. The best thing you can do as the owner of a double coated dog is to better understand how to perform maintenance like bathing and brushing. The worst thing you can do is shave your dog in a misguided attempt to keep him cool during the summer.

Your dog is important to us! Because we care about your dog's health and wellbeing, we do not recommend shaving double-coated breeds. Your dog will be more comfortable and ready for either hot or cold with its coats, BOTH COATS, left intact.

Do you have a double-coat breed? Comment below if you've had them shaved and consequences, if any.