Shedding season is upon us, meaning many dog owners are up to their necks in dog hair. Was that an exaggeration? Maybe. If you have a double-coated dog, it may seem your dog has five extra coats to shed. But don’t worry! Fortunately, we’re sharing the best tips to control your double-coated dog’s shedding and speed up the shedding process.
What is a double coat?
Before we get into the tips for grooming your double-coated dog, let’s dig into what a double-coat is and why we must maintain it properly.
A double coat is exactly what it sounds like; it’s two layers of fur–a topcoat and an undercoat. The top coat is the outer layer of fur that protects your dog from rain, snow, wind, dirt, and debris. The undercoat is the bottom layer of fur and is fluffy and dense. This layer keeps your dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
What dogs have double coats?
Common double coats are quite common! Some of the breeds with double coats include Chow chows, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Pomeranians, Corgis, Labrador Retrievers, Akitas, Scottish Terriers, and even the unassuming Beagles.
How to tell if your dog has a double coat:
- Brush your dog and see if you feel a thick, coarse coat on top and then a soft coat underneath, then your dog has a double coat.
- Compare the hair in the brush or around your home. If you see both soft and coarse hair, then the answer is yes!
- Research your breed to see if they’re one of the chosen ones.
Grooming Tools
While both layers are critical to your dog’s health and comfort, double coats mean more hair to shed. Thankfully, we can use a vast array of grooming tools to care for our dog’s coats properly.
Grooming Rake
A grooming rake, also called a de-shedding rake or an undercoat rake, is explicitly designed for undercoat care. Grooming rakes have metal teeth that reach below the surface of your dog’s topcoat and help loosen and remove dead hair from the undercoat. The grooming rake also doubles as a detangler for dogs with long hair that tends to get tangled and matted. If there is any grooming tool you should have for your double-coated dog, it’s the grooming rake!
Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes have thin wire bristles that are made specifically for the topcoat. A slicker brush is used to detangle matted hair and prevent mats from occurring. You should only use a slicker brush on dogs with medium to long hair, as the wire bristles can cause discomfort to your dog’s skin. This is a must-have for dogs with long double-coated fur.
Curry Comb
Curry combs are essential for owners of dogs with short to medium-length double coats. Curry combs have short rubber teeth instead of bristles and remove dirt and loose hair. It’s the perfect tool after the grooming rake since the rake will lift the loose hair to the surface. The curry comb finishes the job as it removes the loose hair that the grooming rake lifted. In addition, a curry comb stimulates the production of natural oils in your dog’s coat resulting in a sleek shine and finish. Your dog will also appreciate the massage they receive when you use a curry comb. An alternative to the curry comb is grooming gloves. Grooming gloves are curry combs but on a glove making them more effective in brushing hard-to-reach areas.
Deshedding Tools
When researching tools for your double-coated dog, you’ll likely encounter various de-shedding tools. These are tools with short metal ridges that help control heavy shedders. They have a similar effect as the grooming rake but don’t reach as far below the surface as the rake.
Will shaving help my double-coated dog feel cooler?
Many dog owners question if they should shave their double-coated dogs to help cool them down and reduce shedding. Conversely, shaving double-coated dogs does more harm than good. If you remember earlier, when we discovered the importance of both layers of double-coated dogs, we learned that the topcoat protects your dog from rain and wind. At the same time, the undercoat helps them maintain a comfortable temperature in both warm and cold seasons. Shaving your double-coated dog will eliminate both layers exposing them to excessive sunlight and heat, resulting in sunburn and extreme discomfort. It’s best to invest in the right grooming tools and remove the fur in a way that is natural to your dog.
Bath Time
During shedding season, you’ll find that bath time can be exceptionally long due to the seemingly endless amount of hair that falls off. Fortunately, many grooming tools we use for our double-coated dogs can double as bathing tools. Tools like grooming gloves and curry combs are beneficial during bathtime as they can massage shampoo into your dog’s fur while removing loose hair. If you are washing your dog in a bathtub or shower, invest in a hair catcher to prevent all loose fur from clogging the drain.
Double-coated dogs need some extra care and maintenance when it comes to grooming. But with the right tools and regular grooming sessions, and plenty of treats, shedding season will be a breeze. And if you need professional help, you can always find a groomer!
