The coat explains the seasonal fur storms and why shaving is usually a bad idea.
How the layers work
The AKC explains that the topcoat repels dirt and water and protects the skin, while the undercoat insulates in cold weather and helps keep a dog cool in warm weather. The undercoat sheds most, especially at seasonal changes, in a process often called blowing coat. Examples listed by the AKC include Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Alaskan Malamutes.
Do not shave
The AKC notes that most coat-care experts advise against shaving double-coated dogs, because shaving removes both layers, the undercoat may regrow faster than the topcoat, and shaving does little to cool the dog and can raise the risk of sunburn. If a coat is a worry in summer, ask your vet for options, and keep the dog in shade and air conditioning.
At Happy Paws
Boarders can be bathed. The only published bath chart, effective January 1, 2024, has four coat columns: extra short, short, medium, and extra long or double coated, with Malamute and Husky as examples. The double-coated column runs from $35 for a dog 15 pounds or under to $85 for a dog over 100 pounds on that chart. Please ask to confirm today's price. Use the bath price finder.
Tips before a stay
Brush out loose undercoat a few days before the stay so less ends up in the run. A dog in full coat blow may leave a lot of hair. Tell the staff if your dog needs a bath at pick-up and give an arrival time. See undercoat, deshedding double coats and boarder baths.
Shedding during a stay
Seasonal blowing of the coat happens twice a year for many double-coated breeds, usually in spring and fall. A stay during that time can leave drifts of loose undercoat in the run. A pre-stay brushing and a bath on the way out, if you choose, help your dog arrive home comfortable. The 2024 chart treats the coat length column separately from weight, so a husky and a lab of similar weight fall in different columns.
Ask for a bath price when you book, since the only published chart is from 2024.