--- title: Deshedding Double Coats | Happy Paws Kennels, Dixon url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/deshedding-double-coats/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - Deshedding double coats # Deshedding double coats (and why we leave the coat alone) A double coat has a soft undercoat and a coarser top coat, and it insulates a dog through the seasons, so the answer to shedding is regular brushing and an occasional deshedding bath, not cutting the coat short. Ask Happy Paws about a bath for a shedding coat at the end of a stay. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) 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](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/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](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/). ## 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. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [American Kennel Club, how often should you wash your dog](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-often-should-you-wash-your-dog/) - [Happy Paws Kennels, rates (baths: please ask)](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) - [Happy Paws Kennels, things to know](https://happypawskennels.com/things-to-know/) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Boarder baths](https://happypawskennels.com/baths/) - [How often should you bathe a dog?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-often-to-bathe-a-dog/) - [Bath price finder](https://happypawskennels.com/tools/bath-price-finder/) - [Labrador Retriever](https://happypawskennels.com/breeds/labrador-retriever/) - [How much is a bath?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-much-is-a-bath/) - [How hot is too hot for dogs? Dixon summer numbers](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/) ## Read next - [Is day care good for dogs?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/is-dog-day-care-good-for-dogs/) - [Dog day care cost](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-day-care-cost/) - [How often should my dog go to day care?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-often-should-my-dog-go-to-day-care/) - [Puppy day care](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/puppy-day-care/) - [Enrichment ideas from our kennel](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-enrichment-ideas/) - [Lick mats & frozen treats](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/lick-mats-and-frozen-treats/) - [Boarding and kennel cough risk](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-and-kennel-cough-risk/) - [Bringing your dog home after boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-coming-home-after-boarding/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### Should I cut my double-coated dog's fur short in summer? The AKC describes double coats as seasonal insulation, so ask your vet before changing a dog's coat length. ### What is the best way to reduce shedding? Regular brushing and a proper bath routine. Shedding is natural for the breed. ### Can the kennel bathe my shedding dog? Happy Paws offers baths for boarders; please ask for a quote by size and coat.