06/06/2025
Why Shaving Double-Coated Dogs Is Harmful - and Why It Needs to Stop
There’s a persistent and dangerous misconception that shaving a double-coated dog will help them stay cool in hot weather. As someone who has been in the grooming industry for over 10 years, specializing in large double-coated breeds, I can tell you firsthand: shaving these dogs is not helpful - it’s harmful.
Breeds like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Huskies, Border Collies, and Great Pyrenees were bred with a purpose - and that includes their coat. Their double coat is made up of two layers: a soft, dense undercoat that insulates and a coarse top coat (guard hairs) that protects against dirt, moisture, and harmful UV rays. Together, this coat acts as a natural barrier, keeping them warm in winter and surprisingly cool in summer. Through seasonal shedding, their bodies adapt to changing temperatures in a way that shaving simply cannot replicate.
When you shave a double-coated dog, you compromise this natural system.
Here’s what really happens:
• The top coat may never grow back correctly, leading to patchy, uneven, or wiry regrowth that can’t protect the dog properly.
• Shaved skin becomes more exposed to sunburn, bug bites, and overheating - ironically, increasing the risk of heatstroke.
• The dog loses its natural temperature regulation, making it harder for them to stay cool, not easier.
• In many cases, the coat grows back thicker, tangled, or matted, setting the dog up for long-term coat problems and discomfort.
Despite years of education and experience, I still frequently have owners bring in their double-coated dogs and ask for a shave-down. And every single time, I have to explain why that request is not in the best interest of their dog. It’s frustrating - not because the owners don’t care, but because they simply haven’t been given the right information. They’re trying to help their dogs, but unintentionally causing harm.
This is why education is everything.
Proper coat care isn’t just about appearances - it’s about health, comfort, and safety. Instead of shaving, these breeds benefit far more from:
• Regular brushing and undercoat maintenance
• Deshedding treatments
• Proper grooming schedules that support the coat’s natural cycle
As a groomer who deeply cares about the well-being of every dog that comes into my salon, I will always advocate for what’s right, even if it means having difficult conversations. I hope more groomers and pet professionals will join in doing the same.
Together, let’s work to educate dog owners with compassion and clarity, so we can protect these amazing animals, preserve their coats, and honor the breeds for what they were meant to be.
Respect the coat. Respect the breed. Respect the dog.
Let’s do better for them.
(By Victoria LaFramboise)
