Should You Shave a Husky or Samoyed? Why Double Coats Shouldn't Be Shaved

Every summer we hear the same question from Husky, Malamute and Samoyed owners: "Should I just shave him so he's cooler?" It comes from a good place. Nobody wants their dog to be uncomfortable in a Sydney heatwave. But for double-coated breeds, shaving usually causes more problems than it solves.

The short answer: in most cases, don't shave a double coat. De-shed it instead. Here's why.

What is a double coat?

A double-coated dog has two layers of fur:

• The undercoat: soft, dense and fluffy, close to the skin. This is the layer that sheds in clumps.
• The guard hairs (topcoat): longer, tougher outer hairs that shade the skin and help shed water and dirt.

Breeds with double coats include Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, Pomeranians and many other spitz-type and working breeds.

Why shaving a double coat usually backfires

1. The coat works as insulation, in both directions

A healthy double coat traps a layer of air next to the body, and the guard hairs shade the skin from direct sun. When the loose, dead undercoat is removed properly, air can move through the coat, and that is what helps your dog stay comfortable. Shaving removes the guard hairs as well, leaving the skin exposed to the sun.

2. Bare skin can burn

Many fluffy breeds have pale skin underneath all that fur. Once shaved, that skin is exposed to UV in a way it never normally is.

3. The coat may not grow back the same

The undercoat and the guard hairs grow at different rates. After a shave, the soft undercoat often comes back first, which can leave the coat fuzzy, woolly or patchy. In some dogs the coat grows back very slowly, or not properly at all. This is sometimes called post-clipping alopecia, and it is more often seen in Nordic and spitz-type breeds.

4. Shaving doesn't stop shedding

A shaved dog still sheds. The hairs are just shorter, and short hairs can be even harder to get out of carpet and couches.

When shaving might be necessary

There are exceptions, and your dog's welfare always comes first:

• Severe matting. When the coat has matted tight against the skin, brushing it out can be painful and stressful. Clipping the matted coat off may be the kindest option, and the coat can then be grown out and maintained properly.
• Medical reasons. Surgery, wounds or some skin conditions may need the coat removed. Follow your vet's advice.

If your dog does need to be clipped short, protect the skin from the sun while the coat grows back. Ask your vet about dog-safe sun protection, and keep up regular brushing as the coat returns.

What to do instead: a proper de-shed

A professional de-shed removes the loose, dead undercoat while keeping the guard hairs that protect your dog. At our Brighton-Le-Sands salon, that means:

1. A deep hydrobath that works shampoo and conditioner right through the thick coat to loosen the dead undercoat.
2. A high-velocity blow-out that blows the loose undercoat out of the coat. You will be amazed how much comes out.
3. A careful brush-out to finish removing loose undercoat and tangles.

Between grooms, regular brushing at home makes a big difference. Our guide on how to brush a double-coated dog at home walks you through it step by step.

Keeping a fluffy dog cool in summer

• Keep the coat de-shed and free of mats so air can circulate.
• Walk early in the morning or in the evening, and avoid hot pavements.
• Make sure there's always shade and fresh water.
• Never leave a dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes.

For more hot-weather advice, read our summer grooming tips for fluffy dogs.

The bottom line

Unless there's a matting or medical reason, a double-coated dog is better off with its coat, as long as that coat is properly de-shed and well maintained. If your Husky, Malamute or Samoyed is leaving fur everywhere, a professional de-shed is the way to go.