Why You Shouldn’t Shave Your Double-Coated Dog

You may be tempted to shave your dog’s hair off for the warmer months. After all, many humans choose to cool down with a summer haircut. But shaving a dog’s coat can actually make them more prone to heatstroke—a potentially fatal condition.

As counterintuitive as this may seem, canine coats—including the thick double coats of huskies, Australian shepherds, golden retrievers, border collies, corgis, Pomeranians, and many others—are designed to provide protection from the heat. Double coats consist of guard hairs and an undercoat that offers insulation in cold weather. Unless shaving is recommended by a vet because of a medical condition or heavy matting, skip the clippers and opt for a trim instead. 

The natural shedding process allows the undercoat to shed, which facilitates cooling airflow near the skin while keeping the guard hairs long to offer sun protection. Give your dog a thorough brushing to help remove any excess hair that wants to shed out. Nature gave your dog a summer coat that keeps them cooler, so you’ll see plenty of shedding in the spring. The hair that remains when the warm weather hits is the hair your dog is meant to have. Shaving a double-coated dog can also have a negative impact on the coat as it regrows.

Brian Collins, DVM, a veterinarian with the Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, explains: “Shaving a double-coated breed can damage hair follicles and result in poor regrowth. There are other, more effective steps to take to keep dogs cool.”

Even for single-coated breeds, like poodles, it’s a better idea to cut their hair instead of giving a too-close shave that can cause UV exposure and increased cancer risk—dogs have thinner skin than we do.

Still, grooming can play a role in keeping dogs at a comfortable temperature. “Brushing a dog,” Dr. Collins says, “can remove loose hair—which can make it easier to regulate body temperature.”