Anyone who has owned a Golden Retriever or Husky knows that dog hair somehow ends up everywhere. But many pet parents are surprised to learn that deshedding is not simply about reducing fur on the couch. It is an important part of maintaining your dog’s skin health, coat function, comfort, and overall wellbeing.
Whether your dog has a thick double coat or a short, sleek coat that seems to shed endlessly, regular deshedding plays an essential role in keeping their coat healthy.
🐶Which Dogs Benefit From Deshedding?
Many people assume that only fluffy dogs require deshedding. In reality, many short-haired breeds also shed heavily and benefit greatly from regular deshedding treatments.
1) Double-coated breeds
Double-coated dogs have two layers of fur:
- A protective outer coat (guard hairs) that shields them from sun, rain, dirt, and environmental damage.
- An insulating undercoat that helps regulate body temperature by keeping them warm during cold weather and protecting them from heat during warmer months.
Examples include:
- Siberian Huskies
- Samoyeds
- Golden Retrievers
- Labrador Retrievers
- German Shepherds
- Border Collies
- Australian Shepherds and Miniature American Shepherds
- Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Akitas
- Great Pyrenees
- Pomeranians
- Some mixed breeds
These breeds naturally shed throughout the year but typically experience heavier seasonal shedding during spring and fall as they transition between winter and summer coats.
2) Short-haired breeds that shed heavily
Short coats do not mean low shedding.
Many smooth-coated breeds continuously shed short, stiff hairs that easily become embedded in furniture, clothing, and car seats.
These breeds commonly benefit from routine deshedding:
- Labrador Retrievers
- French Bulldogs
- American Bullies
- American Pit Bull Terriers
- Doberman Pinschers
- Beagles
- Boxers
- Pugs
- Weimaraners
- Rottweilers
Although these breeds may not have the same dense undercoat as northern breeds, many still produce significant loose hair that can accumulate on the skin and coat. Regular deshedding helps remove this loose hair before it ends up all over your home.
🍃Shedding Is Natural
Every dog sheds to some extent. The amount of shedding depends on several factors, including:
- Breed
- Coat type
- Age
- Season
- Indoor versus outdoor lifestyle
- Overall health
- Nutrition
Some dogs shed heavily year round, while others have noticeable seasonal coat changes. During each grooming appointment, we carefully assess your dog’s coat and determine how much deshedding is needed before tailoring the service accordingly.
🩺Why Is Deshedding So Important?
Deshedding removes loose, dead hair that has already detached from the skin but remains trapped within the coat.
Removing this loose hair provides several important health benefits.
1) Improves skin health
Excess dead hair can trap dirt, debris, moisture, oils, and environmental allergens close to the skin. Removing this buildup helps keep the skin cleaner and allows for better ventilation.
2) Improves bathing effectiveness
When large amounts of loose hair remain trapped in the coat:
- Water cannot penetrate evenly.
- Shampoo cannot properly reach the skin.
- Conditioner cannot be distributed effectively.
- Dirt and oils become harder to remove.
A properly deshedded coat allows grooming products to work much more effectively.
3) Allows proper drying
Loose undercoat and excess hair hold onto moisture. If moisture remains trapped after bathing, it may contribute to skin irritation or create an environment where bacteria or yeast can thrive.
Removing excess hair allows the coat to dry more efficiently and thoroughly.
4) Prevents coat compaction and matting
In double-coated dogs especially, loose undercoat can become compacted over time.
Compacted undercoat:
- restricts airflow
- makes brushing less effective
- increases tangles
- may eventually lead to painful matting and skin issues
Regular deshedding greatly reduces this risk.
5) Supports the coat’s natural function
A healthy coat works as your dog’s natural insulation.
The coat helps regulate body temperature by insulating against both cold and heat. Removing only the loose, dead undercoat allows the healthy coat to continue performing this important function.
Contrary to a common myth, shaving most double-coated dogs does not help keep them cooler and may actually interfere with their coat’s natural ability to regulate temperature.
6) Helps your dog feel more comfortable
Many owners notice their dog seems happier after a thorough deshedding session.
Removing excess loose hair can reduce that heavy, “packed” feeling within the coat while making brushing easier at home and leaving the coat feeling cleaner and lighter.
✂️ How Professional Deshedding Is Done
Professional deshedding is much more than simply brushing your dog’s coat. It is a step-by-step process designed to safely remove loose, dead hair while protecting the healthy coat and skin.
🪮 Step 1: Initial Deshedding Brush Out
Before the bath, we perform an initial deshedding brush out to remove as much loose hair as possible.
This important first step helps open up the coat so that water, shampoo, and conditioner can better reach the skin. Removing excess loose fur beforehand also allows for more effective bathing, faster drying, and a more thorough deshedding process overall.
The type of brush or deshedding tool we use depends on your dog’s coat type. Every coat is different, so we carefully select the appropriate tools to safely remove loose hair without damaging the healthy coat.
🛁 Step 2: Deshedding Bath
Next, your dog receives a thorough bath using professional deshedding shampoo and conditioner.
These specially formulated products help loosen additional dead hair, moisturize the skin, and soften the coat, making it easier to remove any remaining loose fur. They also help lift dirt, excess oils, and debris from the skin and coat while leaving the coat clean, healthy, and shiny.
💨 Step 3: High Velocity Drying
After bathing, we use a professional high velocity dryer to help blow out any remaining loose undercoat and dead hair that has separated during the bath.
This step is especially effective for double-coated breeds, as it removes a significant amount of loose undercoat while ensuring the coat dries thoroughly and evenly.
✨ Step 4: Final Deshedding & Finishing
Once the coat is completely dry, we perform a final deshedding using professional brushes and grooming tools selected specifically for your dog’s coat type.
This final step removes any remaining loose hair and leaves the coat smooth, healthy, and functioning as it should.
Every dog’s coat is different, so the amount of deshedding required varies from one visit to another. Some appointments require only a light deshedding, while others, particularly during seasonal coat changes, require much more extensive work.
🐕Will My Dog Shed More After Deshedding?
Sometimes!
It is completely normal for dogs to shed a little more for one to two days after a deshedding appointment.
The grooming process loosens hair that was already in the natural shedding phase. While most of it is removed during grooming, a small amount may continue to come out over the following day or two.
Deshedding does not increase shedding.
Instead, it helps complete the natural shedding cycle more efficiently, resulting in less loose hair accumulating in your home over time.
✨Benefits of Regular Deshedding
Regular deshedding can:
- Promote healthier skin and coat
- Improve airflow through the coat
- Remove loose dead hair before it ends up around your home
- Enhance bathing and drying effectiveness
- Reduce coat compaction
- Help prevent matting in double-coated breeds
- Improve overall coat appearance
- Leave dogs feeling cleaner and more comfortable
- Make home brushing easier between grooming appointments
💖Our Approach to Deshedding at Pawparazzi Dog Grooming & Spa
At Pawparazzi Dog Grooming & Spa, deshedding is not simply an optional upgrade for dogs that genuinely need it.
For double-coated breeds, deshedding is an essential part of professional grooming whenever excess undercoat is present. Grooming without properly removing loose undercoat would not provide the level of care we strive to deliver.
Every dog is different. At each appointment, we carefully evaluate your dog’s coat and determine how much deshedding is required based on the amount of loose hair present. This allows us to provide the most appropriate level of care while helping keep your dog healthy, comfortable, and looking their very best.
References
American Kennel Club. Why Dogs Shed and How to Manage It. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-do-dogs-shed/
American Kennel Club. Double Coated Dogs: What You Need to Know. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/do-not-shave-double-coated-dog/
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Skin and Coat Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
Merck Veterinary Manual. Dermatologic Disorders in Dogs and Hair Coat and Skin Physiology.
World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Global Nutrition Guidelines. (Discusses the role of nutrition in maintaining healthy skin and coat.)
