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?

• The double-layered coat regulates temperature - in the winter months, dogs will grow their undercoat to help insulate them and keep them warm. In the summer, the undercoat is more sparse and helps to trap air and cool them down. The topcoat does not shed, and it protects the skin from harmful rays of sunlight and bug bites.
• Your dog becomes susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer - the topcoat reflects the sun’s rays to protect the skin, shaved skin is exposed, which can be very harmful.
• It creates possible skin problems - the shaving process can put your dog at risk for uncomfortable mats and skin irritations like hot spots or irritated skin due to excessive licking and scratching.
• It damages the condition of the topcoat and the cycle of the hair - shedding times can become unpredictable, or in severe cases, shaving can lead to alopecia.
• Double-layered coats matt more easily - this means that it’ll have to be maintained frequently, and your dog will possibly need shaving for the rest of its life.
• It does not make dogs shed less - double-coated dogs shed their undercoat twice a year, and the rest of the shedding is standard hair turnover. Shaving can appear to help the shedding, but it is a temporary fix, and the dog still sheds—the hairs are just shorter.
• Double-layered coats will grow to a certain level and stop - the texture of a double-coated dog will change once shaven down, and the guard hairs can become coarse, causing debris to stick to them.

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?

• If the coat is too matted to brush—the most humane way to remove matting is to shave the coat and start over.
• If your dog is too old or sick to tolerate thorough and regular brushing, it may be the least stressful way to remove the coat.
• If your dog regularly spends time in flea- or tick-infested areas.
• If your dog is prone to fungal or bacterial conditions—allowing the skin to fully breathe can help prevent these issues and aid in the healing of any already existing infections.

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.