should i shave my double-coated dog in summer?

The short answer is no — and here's why it actually makes things worse.

What is a double coat?

Double-coated breeds — including Siberian Huskies, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and many others — have two distinct coat layers that work as an integrated system.

The outer coat, made up of longer, coarser guard hairs, acts as a protective barrier against water, dirt, UV radiation, and environmental irritants. The undercoat is a dense, soft layer of shorter hairs that sits close to the skin and functions as a natural thermoregulator — insulating the dog against cold in winter and, crucially, against heat in summer. Think of it less like a blanket and more like a thermos: it keeps external temperatures out and helps the dog maintain a stable core temperature.

Shaving removes both layers simultaneously, eliminating this entire system in one go.

Why do double-coated dogs shed so much in spring?

What looks like a coat problem is actually the coat working exactly as it should. As temperatures rise, double-coated dogs go through a process called coat blow — a seasonal shedding of the undercoat to make the overall coat lighter and more breathable. The guard hairs remain in place; only the dense insulating layer is released.

This is normal, healthy, and necessary. The shedding is not a sign that the coat needs to go — it's a sign that it's doing its job.

So what's actually wrong with shaving?

When you shave a double-coated dog, you remove the very mechanism that keeps them cool. Without the guard hairs, the skin is directly exposed to UV radiation and heat. Without the undercoat's insulating properties, the dog loses its ability to regulate body temperature efficiently.

There's also a longer-term risk: in some dogs, repeated shaving leads to a condition known as post-clipping alopecia, where the coat fails to grow back correctly — altering texture, density, and in some cases causing permanent changes to how the coat functions. This is not reversible.

What should you do instead?

The right approach before summer is professional undercoat removal — using techniques such as deshedding and carding. Deshedding involves removing dead undercoat hair using specialised tools that extract from the inner layer without cutting or damaging the guard hairs. Carding is a complementary technique that uses a finer tool to remove the densest, most compacted undercoat close to the skin.

The result is a significantly lighter coat with better airflow — and a dog whose natural thermoregulation system is still intact and functioning.

At Wag, undercoat removal is included as standard in our bath and brush service and in our hygiene trim for long-coated dogs. If your dog is heading into summer with a heavy coat, this is the session to book.

Book your appointment at wagcollective.com

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frequently asked questions

• Can I shave my Golden Retriever in summer?

  No. Golden Retrievers are double-coated and their coat actively keeps them cool in summer. Shaving removes this system and exposes the skin to direct heat and UV radiation. The right approach is professional undercoat removal before the warmer months.

• Can I shave my Husky in summer?

  No. Huskies have one of the most efficient double coats of any breed — it was developed specifically to handle extreme temperatures in both directions. Shaving a Husky in summer will make them more uncomfortable, not less. Book a deshedding session instead.

• My dog looks really hot. Isn't shaving better than nothing?

  It's understandable to want to help, but shaving actually makes thermoregulation harder, not easier. If your dog seems to be struggling with the heat, focus on shade, fresh water, avoiding walks during peak heat hours, and a professional undercoat removal session — these will make a real difference.

• How often should I do a deshedding session?

  For most double-coated breeds, once or twice a year — before summer and optionally before winter — is sufficient. Your groomer can advise based on your specific dog's coat density and shedding pattern.

• Will my dog's coat grow back normally after shaving?

  Not always. Some dogs experience post-clipping alopecia, where the coat grows back with a different texture, density, or growth pattern. In some cases the change is permanent. This is one of the main reasons professional groomers advise strongly against shaving double-coated breeds.

• What breeds are double-coated?

  Common double-coated breeds include Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Border Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Shiba Inus, Samoyeds, and Corgis, among others. If you're unsure whether your dog is double-coated, your groomer can tell you at your next appointment.