If you share your home with a double coated dog, you already know the signs. Fur on the sofa. Fur on the stairs. Tumbleweeds of undercoat rolling across the kitchen floor. Shedding is natural and no tool will stop it. What a steady brushing routine can do is collect more of that loose hair on the brush, before it ends up on your furniture.
This guide sets out a simple weekly routine. It is general guidance. If your dog's skin looks sore, flaky or patchy, or the shedding seems unusual, ask your vet.
What is a double coat?
A double coat has a longer, coarser outer layer over a soft, dense undercoat. Huskies, German shepherds, golden retrievers and corgis have one. The undercoat is the part that sheds in large amounts, so a double coat usually needs a tool that reaches down into it, not just across the top.
A double coat has two layers. The outer layer, sometimes called guard hair, is longer and coarser. Underneath sits a soft, dense undercoat. Breeds such as huskies, German shepherds, golden retrievers, corgis and many mixes have this kind of coat.
The undercoat is the part that sheds heavily, especially when the seasons change. Many dogs "blow" their undercoat once or twice a year, and for a few weeks it can feel as if the shedding never ends.
Why is my dog shedding so much right now?
Seasonal change is the most common reason. Many double coated dogs drop large amounts of undercoat over a few weeks as the days change. If the shedding comes with bald patches, sore skin, scratching or a change in appetite, ask your vet, because those are not part of a normal seasonal shed.
As days get longer or shorter, many double coated dogs drop large amounts of undercoat over a few weeks. Shedding also varies with age, breed and the individual dog.
Sudden changes are different. Bald patches, broken hair, redness, itching or a dull coat are worth a conversation with your vet, because they can have causes a brush will not fix.
Should I shave a double coated dog?
Many groomers advise against it, because the two layers do different jobs and the coat may not grow back the same. Regular brushing that lifts out the loose undercoat is the usual alternative. Ask a groomer first, and ask your vet if a medical reason for clipping comes up.
If you are thinking about a short cut for your dog, ask a professional groomer first. Regular brushing is usually the place to start.
Which tools do I need?
A comb to lift loose undercoat, a grooming glove for quick passes between sessions, and a towel to brush over. That covers most weekly routines. Add a slicker or undercoat rake if your groomer recommends one for your dog's coat, and keep everything in one place so brushing day starts quickly.
You do not need a drawer full of brushes. A simple setup covers most weekly routines:
- A comb to work through the coat and lift loose undercoat. Our Halcyon Comb has a built in spray bottle, so you can mist the coat lightly as you go.
- A grooming glove for a quick pass between sessions. Because it is worn on your hand, it fits into moments when your dog is already relaxed next to you. The Nuzzle Glove is one option.
- A towel or old sheet to brush over, which makes cleanup quicker.
For heavy matting or a coat that has become felted, a groomer's professional tools and experience are the right answer.
Why mist the coat before brushing?
A light mist can help the comb glide and tangles release instead of pulling. Dampen only the surface, with plain water or a product your groomer recommends. A dry, dusty coat tends to snag, so a little moisture on the surface keeps brushing smoother and keeps more loose fur on the comb.
Brushing a completely dry coat can make hair snag and send fine undercoat into the air. A light mist of plain water, or a product your groomer recommends, can help the comb glide and help tangles release instead of pulling. Keep it light. You are dampening the surface, not bathing your dog. If you use a spray comb, only put in the liquid its instructions allow.
How often should I brush a double coated dog?
Two or three times a week for 10 to 15 minutes, with a two minute glove pass on other days. Brush more often in shedding season, when daily short sessions are easier than one long one. Short and regular keeps tangles from building up and keeps the routine easy for both of you.
This routine assumes a healthy coat with no mats. Adjust the frequency to your dog and the season.
Two or three times a week, 10 to 15 minutes
- Choose a calm moment. After a walk or at the end of the day tends to work well.
- Lay down a towel. Brush outdoors if you can, or over a sheet indoors.
- Start where your dog enjoys being touched. The back and shoulders are usually a good first area.
- Mist lightly, then comb with the growth of the hair. Work in short strokes, section by section.
- Go deeper gradually. Lift the outer coat with your free hand and comb the undercoat beneath it, a small section at a time.
- Clean the comb often. Pull the collected hair from the pins so the comb keeps working.
- Finish with the glove. A few long strokes over the whole body pick up loose hair left on the surface.
- Stop before your dog has had enough. Ending early keeps the next session easy.
On the other days, two minutes
A quick pass with a grooming glove while your dog rests next to you. It is short enough to fit into any evening.
During heavy shedding season
Brush more often rather than for longer. Daily short sessions are usually easier on both of you than one long session at the weekend.
Which areas need extra care?
Behind the ears, under the collar, the armpits, the back of the legs and around the tail. Tangles tend to form there, so hold the hair at the base. That keeps the pull off your dog's skin while you work the knot out slowly. Ask a groomer about mats that sit close to the skin.
Take extra care behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, along the back of the legs (often called the trousers) and around the tail. These are places where tangles tend to form. Be gentle, hold the hair at the base so you are not pulling on the skin, and if you find a tight mat, do not try to force it out. Ask a groomer to help.
Avoid brushing over sore, red or broken skin. If you notice lumps, sores or parasites while brushing, contact your vet.
How do I keep the fur out of the house?
Brush in one spot over a towel, wash bedding regularly, keep a lint roller by the door, and vacuum little and often in shedding season. Brushing outside or in the same corner each time keeps most of the loose undercoat in one place instead of spread across sofas and stairs.
A few habits make a real difference alongside brushing:
- Brush in one place, over a towel, so hair collects in one spot.
- Wash your dog's bedding regularly.
- Keep a lint roller or rubber glove by the door for clothes and furniture.
- Vacuum little and often during shedding season.
None of this ends shedding. It simply moves more of the hair from your sofa to somewhere you can deal with it.
How do I make brushing a habit?
Brush a little, often, at the same time of day. The routine gets quicker as you and your dog get used to it. Tie it to something you already do, like the evening walk, keep the tools where you can reach them, and finish with a reward so the session ends on a good note.
The owners who stay on top of a double coat rarely do anything dramatic. Dogs tend to settle into a predictable routine, and the job gets quicker as you both get used to it.
If you would like to add a mist to your brushing, you can read more about the Halcyon Comb, including what is in the box and how to care for it.
Further reading: American Kennel Club: How Should You Groom a Double-Coated Dog?