Which dogs have a double coat?
Common double-coated breeds include Huskies, Pomeranians, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds and Corgis. They have a soft undercoat beneath a longer outer coat.
Why we generally don't shave them
- The coat may not grow back properly, or at all.
- Bare skin is exposed to sunburn.
- Shaving can damage the coat and seriously change how your dog looks for a long time.
What to do instead in hot weather
We trim the coat shorter without shaving it down to the skin, and add de-shedding ($15–$30) to clear out the loose undercoat. That lets air move through the coat while keeping its protection.
When shaving is the right call
We only shave a double-coated dog when it's the safest option:
- The dog has severe matting.
- The dog bites or reacts very strongly to brushing and grooming.
Before we shave, we'll explain that it may damage the coat and it might not grow back, and we'll only go ahead with your agreement. If neither situation applies, we'll respectfully decline to shave.
Quick answer
- Does shaving keep a double-coated dog cooler?
- Not really. A healthy, de-shedded double coat helps protect against heat and sun. Removing the loose undercoat does more for comfort than shaving.