Double-coated dog breeds are very prone to shedding, as the dog's undercoat is comprised of fine strands of fur that frequently stick to fabrics, carpeting and upholstery. Grooming the dog's undercoat will reduce shedding while improving the dog's overall appearance.
Many dogs with a double-coat of fur shed seasonally too, so it's not uncommon for certain breeds to shed copious amounts of fur in the spring or early summer months. In fact, some dogs may lose fur in large clumps! This seasonal shedding event is known as "blowing a coat."
Popular double-coated dog breeds that are prone to shedding include the following:
- Siberian Husky;
- Alaskan Malamute;
- Pomeranian;
- Akita;
- Golden Retriever;
- Labrador Retriever;
- Welsh Corgi (Cardigan and Pembroke);
- German Shepherd;
- Norwegian Elkhound;
- Rottweiler;
- Chow Chow;
- Border Collie;
- Collie;
- Shetland Sheepdog or "Sheltie"
- Newfoundland; and
- Great Pyrenees (among others!)
How to Groom a Dog's Undercoat -- Brushing to Reduce Shedding and Remove Matted Fur
When grooming a dog's undercoat at home, the process begins with a brushing that will remove matted fur. Brush the dog's coat with a dematting rake. Dematting rakes are equipped with blades that will cut when they encounter resistance. Therefore, the rake will cut out mats while leaving the untangled fur intact.
Rake the dog's entire coat, working from top to bottom. Use short strokes and be extremely careful when working around the dog's head and ears.
Once the dog's matted fur is removed, use an undercoat rake or shedding blade to remove the loose undercoat fur. Again, work from top to bottom, using short, overlapping brush strokes. Grooming the dog's undercoat can be a time-consuming process, as you must continue until the rake or shedding blade comes up clean. This process will remove all loose undercoat fur -- fur that would otherwise be shed onto your clothing, furniture and carpeting.
How to Bathe a Dog at Home
Bathing is the next step in the home grooming process. Before starting the dog's bath, put a large cotton ball in each ear to block the ear canal. When a dog gets water in his ears, this triggers a "shaking" reaction that will splatter soapy water throughout the entire room! Blocking the dog's ear canals will reduce the chances of a soapy mess.
Place the dog in a bathtub or sink and saturate the dog's coat with warm water. Pour a bit of pet shampoo into the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together and spread the dog shampoo over the pet's body. Work it into a lather and massage the entire coat.
Rinse the dog until the water runs clear. Be very thorough during the rinsing process, as shampoo residue can cause the dog to itch and in some cases, it can cause a skin rash. Towel dry the dog and allow the fur to air dry or use a blow dryer set on "low" heat. Avoid the dryer if your dog has dry, itchy skin, as this can exacerbate dryness.
Grooming the Dog's Undercoat and Topcoat
The bathing process will remove some fur and it will loosen some of the soon-to-be-shed undercoat hairs. After bathing, brush the dog's coat with an undercoat rake to collect any remaining clumps of undercoat fur. Follow with a boar bristle brush to groom the topcoat and to add shine. Boar bristle brushes are ideal for adding shine and smoothing the coat, as they're made of natural fibers that distribute the natural oils throughout the coat. But if you don't have one on-hand, use a slicker brush instead.
The key to grooming double-coated dog breeds is a daily brushing session. Go through the dog's coat with an undercoat rake, followed by a brushing with a boar bristle brush or slicker brush.
Daily brushing will reduce shedding and it will keep the dog's coat shiny and sleek. In fact, daily brushing will stimulate and improve blood flow to the skin, and a boar bristle brush will distribute the natural oils throughout the dog's coat. A daily grooming session also serves as a good time to check the dog for hot spots, cysts and other abnormalities.
For more information on the right type of dog brush for grooming your dog at home, read "Types of Dog Grooming Brushes: What's the Best Brush for a Dog Who Sheds? Fur Mats? A Long Coat?"
In addition, if you're new to home grooming, read "How to Bathe a Dog at Home," along with "How to Groom a Dog at Home."
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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