Double coated dogs like Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Border Collies, Pomeranians, and Australian Shepherds have two layers of fur. The bottom layer, closest to the dogs skin, is very thick and dense. This layer is referred to as the "undercoat." The top layer is stiffer and usually coarser. This outer coat is designed to protect from the elements. The two layers work together similar to insulation inside your home's walls, and the walls themselves — with the inner layer helping to regulate the dog's temperature, and the outer layer protecting the animal against the elements.

You would not take the insulation out of your house in the summer, right? Shaving your double-coated dog does just that - it exposes your dog to overheating, sunburn, and can also lead to post-clipping alopecia, hair loss, or even skin cancer.

BUT MY DOG IS HOT….

Dogs do not have the ability to cool themselves through their skin like humans. They sweat through the pads of their paws. Their primary method of cooling their body temperature comes from panting. Dogs. As your dog pants, water evaporates from the dog's tongue, nasal passages and lungs, this helps lower its body temperature

BUT MY DOG SHEDS…

There is no way to stop shedding. The best way to manage hair and keep a double-coated dog clean, cool, and comfortable is to regularly bathe and brush them. Double coated dogs require maintenance and regular grooming to prevent the dead hairs from matting. Shaving a double-coated dog will not stop the shedding. It could actually make the problem worse.

When we shave a double coat, the undercoat grows back quickly. The outer coat does not grow back as quickly. This often leaves the undercoat to take over as the primary coat. This thick wooly coarse coat will trap heat and will not protect from the sun, thus exposing your pet to warmer climates and making them warmer and increasing their body temperature in the heat. Shaving can damage a dog's ability to regulate its temperature or protect their skin. It does not solve shedding problems, and it can also contribute to heatstroke.
 

Regular bathing, brushing, and de-shedding treatments will be your double-coated dog's best friend.

If you feel your dog's shedding is excessive, this could be a sign of a nutritional deficiency, vitamin deficiency, or possible metabolic disorder. If you feel your dog's shedding is excessive, consult with your veterinarian.