Double Coats: Deshedding Retrievers, Labs and Shepherds

Every spring, and honestly most of the year in Florida, the same thing happens in homes with Labs, goldens and German shepherds. Fur on the couch, fur in the car, fur in the coffee. The instinct is to shave the dog and make it stop. It's one of the most common questions we get, and the honest answer is that shaving usually makes things worse, not better.

What a double coat actually is

A double-coated dog has two layers. The outer layer is made of longer, coarser guard hairs that shed dirt and water and block some of the sun. Underneath is a soft, dense undercoat that insulates. Retrievers, Labradors and German shepherds all have this kind of coat, along with many other breeds.

The two layers work together. The guard hairs sit over the undercoat and form a protective surface. That's why a wet Lab sheds water so quickly, and why a shepherd's coat looks neat even after a day outdoors.

Why we don't recommend shaving them

Shaving takes off both layers at once. The dog doesn't stop shedding, because the hair that's growing in will still shed on its own schedule. Short shaved hair also lands in your furniture and clothes, and it's pokier. When it grows back, the guard hairs can come in unevenly, and the coat may look patchy or dull for months.

Many groomers also point out that a double coat helps a dog handle both heat and sun. Take it all off and you lose that protection. Dogs in Florida get hot, so the thought of shaving feels kind, but a properly maintained double coat is usually the better cooling system. If your dog has a skin problem or a medical reason for a short coat, that's a conversation with your vet, and we'll work with whatever they recommend.

Undercoat removal: what really helps

The goal with a double-coated dog is to get the loose undercoat out of the coat, not off the dog. That happens in a few steps. First comes a thorough bath with the coat fully soaked so the shampoo reaches the skin. A conditioner helps loosen what's ready to come out. Then the drying step does a big part of the work, because a strong blow-out pushes loose undercoat out of the coat in clouds.

After that comes brushing and combing with tools made for undercoat. An undercoat rake or a slicker brush pulls out hair that has already let go, without cutting the guard hairs. A dog that has gone through a proper bath and blow-out sheds a lot less in your home for the next stretch, because the loose hair already ended up on the salon floor instead of your couch.

Shedding seasons, Florida style

In colder climates, double-coated dogs usually blow their coat twice a year, in spring and fall, when the days change. In Florida, where the seasons barely shift, many dogs shed all year, with heavier pushes now and then. Don't wait for a season to start. A steady schedule works better than a once-a-year rescue.

Many double-coated dogs do well with a bath and brush-out visit every month or two, adjusted to the dog and the coat. A full groom visit adds the trimming and tidying: neat feet, a clean sanitary area, a tidy-up of feathering on goldens and shepherds, and a nail trim. We'll tell you what we think your dog needs after we see the coat.

What to do at home

• Brush once or twice a week with an undercoat rake or slicker brush, working with the direction of the hair. During a heavy shed, brush every day.
• Always brush dry. Wet undercoat packs tighter and is harder to move.
• Don't bathe too often at home with a harsh shampoo, which can leave the skin dry. Ask us for a recommendation that fits your dog.
• Check behind the ears, the thick fur on the chest and the feathering on the back of the legs. Those areas can mat even on a short-coated dog.
• Keep nails trimmed. Dogs with heavy coats still need healthy feet to move comfortably.
• Feed a good diet and ask your vet about any shedding that seems extreme or comes with itching, bald spots or a dull coat.

Our retriever grooming, Labrador grooming and German shepherd grooming all start with the same plan: protect the coat and pull out what's loose. We don't use crates, and clients tell us the salon feels more like a cozy living room than a grooming shop, which is easier on big dogs who get nervous in new places.

Call (386) 951-4087 to book. We're at 2761 W MacKenzie Rd in DeLand, and we welcome dogs from Deltona and across Volusia County. Appointments only, Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We're closed Sunday.