Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Huskies and many shepherds blow their undercoat once or twice a year. Fur everywhere is normal for the breed.
How a double coat works
The AKC explains that thick or double coats, as on Labrador and Golden Retrievers and Siberian Huskies, insulate the dog seasonally. An expert quoted in the article warns that overbathing can strip too much oil from the skin and disrupt that process. For Central Valley summers the coat also helps protect against sun and heat, which is one more reason to leave it at its natural length.
What helps with shedding
- Brush or comb several times a week, daily when the undercoat is coming out.
- Use a deshedding tool with a light hand, working with the lie of the hair.
- Bathe with dog shampoo and rinse fully, then dry thoroughly.
- Feed a complete diet and provide fresh water; ask your vet if shedding seems excessive.
- Vacuum and wash bedding more often during the heavy weeks.
How often to bathe a double-coated dog
The AKC article says thorough brushing, combing and conditioning matter more to a dog's health than bath time, and that shedding-specific products can help manage coat loss without frequent washing. See how often to bathe a dog for ranges.
Shedding and boarding
A boarding stay in a country kennel tends to loosen the undercoat, and dogs often come home with extra dust and grass. Happy Paws offers boarder baths priced by dog size plus coat type and length; please ask for a quote when you book, and mention that your dog is double-coated and shedding. Give staff your estimated arrival time so the bath and drying finish before you collect your dog.
Heat and double coats
A double-coated dog still overheats in a Dixon July, so shade, water and an air-conditioned space matter more than hair length. The kennel's runs are air-conditioned in summer. See how hot is too hot.
A weekly routine for the shedding weeks
Spend ten minutes brushing in short sections, working through the undercoat down to the skin, then finish with a comb. Do it outside if you can. Follow with a bath only if the coat is dirty, and use a conditioner made for dogs. Check for mats behind the ears and in the armpits, which form more easily when loose undercoat is trapped.