Why Shaving Your Double-Coated Dog Is A Big No!
Understanding the function of your dog's double-layered coat
Understanding the function of your dog's double-layered coat
Amid the summer heat, we often wonder whether we should shave our double-coated dogs. Won’t they be more comfortable? Won’t it help with shedding? Aren’t they overheating with all that fur? The answer is simply no.
A common misconception when shaving a dog is that it will grow back, but that is not always the case. More often than not, shaving a dog even once will alter the way the coat grows back, and you will have removed their natural ability to protect themselves.
Double coat refers to a dog with two layers, a harsh topcoat and a soft undercoat, each growing independently and to different lengths. The soft undercoat is shorter, grows much faster and sheds twice a year. The topcoat is longer and tends to grow slower than the undercoat.
Double-coated breeds—Golden and Labrador Retrievers, German and Australian Shepherds, Pomeranians, Siberian Huskies, Great Pyrenees, Chows, Border Collies, Newfoundlands, Corgis and Cavalier King Charles—use their dual layers to protect them from the outside elements.
So why should you not shave your double-coated dog?
Regular, professional grooming will remove the dead/loose undercoat and reduce the amount of shedding. For the average double-coated dog, we recommend daily brushing and monthly baths. The best type of grooming is a vigorous undercoat raking with special tools offered at your groomer.
When should you shave a double-coated dog?
There are plenty of alternative options to help keep your dog cool this summer. The best way is by taking your dog to the groomer regularly. Your groomer will bathe your dog, blow out the undercoat with a high powered dryer and use a rake to help shed out the excess undercoat.