Retriever, Lab and shepherd
Undercoat out of double coats, never shaved
Deshedding for Labs, retrievers and German shepherds, worked out by rake and dryer instead of the clippers.
Chapter 01
The shaved double coat that grows back patchy
Shedding season pushes plenty of Lab, retriever and shepherd owners toward the same idea: shave it all off. It rarely works. A double coat has soft undercoat and longer guard hairs, and when both are clipped down the undercoat grows back faster than the guard hair. The coat returns thick, woolly and uneven, and sometimes in patches.
The undercoat is also what insulates a dog against heat and sun, so a shaved coat isn't the cool shortcut it looks like. Meanwhile the packed, dead undercoat that caused the trouble is sitting behind the ears, on the britches and along the tail, waiting for the next round.
Shears, a comb, a slicker brush and nail clippers laid out on the black grooming table
Deshedding bath, full blow-out, then the undercoat rake
The job is getting the dead undercoat out, not cutting the coat off. The bath uses a deshedding shampoo and conditioner to loosen it. Then a dryer blows the loose undercoat out of the coat in clouds, and an undercoat rake and comb pass through in stages to lift what's left. On a big dog that's a long, patient dry, and we don't hurry it.
Scissor work is kept light and honest: feet, feathering on a retriever's legs, the britches and the tail. Guard combs are for sanitary areas and the odd neatening, not for taking the coat to the skin. Big dogs get breaks and a loose, quiet room to stand in, since there are no crates at the salon.
We groom Labradors, retrievers and German shepherds for owners in DeLand and Deltona. Prices depend on size and coat condition, so call (386) 951-4087 for a number for your dog.
Chapter 03
Between grooms: rake weekly and plan for the blow
Heavy shedding comes in waves, usually twice a year. Brush with a rake or slicker two or three times a week in between, and daily while the coat is blowing. The hair you take out on the brush is hair that isn't on the sofa.
A deshedding groom every six to eight weeks keeps most double-coated dogs manageable, with closer visits during a heavy blow. Tell us how your dog sheds and we'll set the interval. For dry, flaky or irritated skin, your vet is the right call.
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