Most of the loose fur on your floor in spring comes from the undercoat, not the topcoat.
What it does
The AKC describes the undercoat as a soft layer that insulates in cold weather and helps keep a dog cool in warm weather. The topcoat above it repels dirt and water. Dogs with both layers are double-coated, and the undercoat is the part that tends to shed most at seasonal changes. Dogs with a single coat, such as poodles, have little or no undercoat.
Care at home
A slicker brush or an undercoat rake lifts loose fur before it mats, and a few minutes a day during a shed saves hours of vacuuming. Bathing loosens more fur, and thorough drying matters, since a damp undercoat holds moisture against the skin. Do not clip down to the skin. The AKC notes that shaving removes both layers, may leave an uneven regrowth and does little to cool a dog.
Why it matters at the kennel
A dog in a heavy undercoat shed can leave a lot of hair in the run and come home looking scruffy. The bath chart that Happy Paws published for January 1, 2024 uses a coat column called extra long or double coated, which covers dogs such as malamutes and huskies and is the highest price in each weight row. Price depends on weight and coat; please ask to confirm today's quote.
Preparing for a stay
Brush your dog thoroughly in the week before the trip. If your dog is in the middle of blowing coat, consider booking a bath at pick-up and telling the staff your arrival time so washing and drying are finished. Bring any brush your dog likes; ask the staff at check-in whether it can be used during the stay. The deshedding double coats guide has a step-by-step routine.
Related terms
See double coat, boarder baths and the guide on how often to bathe a dog.
Spotting trouble in the coat
A healthy undercoat feels dense and soft, and the skin underneath is clear and pink or its normal color. Warning signs include a musty smell, flaky patches, bald spots and tight mats near the ears, armpits and tail. Mats trap moisture and can irritate the skin. Work through them gently with a comb, never scissors close to the skin, and ask your vet about persistent problems. A coat that suddenly thins out in places is worth a vet visit.