Double-Coated Dog Breeds Infographic

A double-coated breed dog's hair is designed to protect him from the elements. A properly groomed coat keeps him cool in the summer... excess body heat can escape but the sun's rays are reflected away "Double-coated" breeds have a shiny topcoat of guard hairs over a softer, denser undercoat. The Siberian Husky, German Shepherd Dog and Golden Retriever are double-coated breeds. Non-shedding dogs like the Poodle, Maltese, and Shih Tzu are not. primary "guard" hair in warm weather... a dry, fluffed, tangle-free coat traps a layer of cool air to help insulate the dog against overheating. secondary "undercoat" hair The closer a dog's coat is to the wild type (ie. short, straight, and dense like a wolf's coat), the more dramatically he will shed and the less prone to matting he will be. In that case, regular grooming will help keep excess hair from taking over your house. skin Undercoat hairs shed out and re-grow several times per year. Guard hairs shed out and re-grow once every few years. The less wolf-like his coat is, the more grooming a dog will require to remove loose hair and prevent matting. healthy topcoat is water resistant and warm in the winter. in cold weather... a dry, fluffed, tangle-free coat traps a layer of warm air to protect the dog from frostbite and hypothermia. A double-coat overdue for grooming: appears lumpy and rough * can't trap air for insulation * can't repel moisture or dry quickly traps dirt and debris provides a good hiding place for bugs encourages the overgrowth of bacteria and fungus traps hair as it sheds, making the situation increasingly worse over time * thicker undercoat * preserves body heat Before shaving your double-coated dog, some potential long-term ramifications to consider: * * Compared to undercoat, guard hairs shed and grow back slowly. It can take a year or more to regrow a topcoat. * Professional bathing and brushing can help keep your pet beautiful and comfortable year 'round! Shaving can sometimes interfere with the shedding cycle, resulting in a higher proportion of undercoat compared to guard hair regrowth. More undercoat means the coat will shed more and mat faster. matted undercoat is compressed, bent, and knotted Shaving a double-coated dog can reveal or cause permanent coat damage, hair loss, and bald spots in some dogs, especially if they are not brushed regularly while they are growing out. Frequent shaving over time increases the likelihood that coat texture and thickness will change in an undesireable way. In extreme cases, when a dog is too matted to brush out humanely, the best option is to clip him short. For your pet's health and comfort, a properly groomed natural coat is best, but a shaved coat is better than a matted coat. body heat is lost rapidly in winter After a short shave: The coat's appearance will be dominated by undercoat: * fewer, lighter colors dull instead of shiny softer, finer hairs Without a proper double-coat, steps should be taken to minimize the dog's exposure to sunlight, heat, and extreme cold due to increased risk for: shaved double-coat Dogs and their coats are unique and respond to shaving differently. The information provided here is meant to help you make informed choices for your double-coated dog's hair care but is in no way specific to your situation. Your groomer will be happy to evaluate your dog's coat and speak to you about your best grooming options. no protection against the sun and heat in summer * sunburn and heat stroke hypothermia and frostbite The coat will still need regular brushing to maintain a normal shed cycle, but the hairs will be much shorter for several months. * as it grows out Groomerisms.com