A dog's coat isn't just for looks — it's a functioning part of their temperature regulation system, year-round. That means the right grooming routine genuinely changes with the seasons, and getting it wrong can leave your dog too hot in summer or under-insulated in winter. The most common mistake we see is well-intentioned but backwards: shaving a double-coated dog down for summer, which actually removes the insulation that helps keep them cool.
How a Coat Regulates Temperature
Many breeds have a double coat: a soft, insulating undercoat and a longer, coarser topcoat of guard hairs. In winter, this combination traps warm air close to the body. In summer, that same structure — when properly brushed out and maintained — creates a layer of airflow that actually helps regulate body heat and reflects direct sun off the skin. The system only works, though, if the undercoat isn't matted or overly thick, which is where seasonal brushing comes in.
Warm Weather Coat Care
- Skip shaving double-coated breeds — their undercoat actually helps insulate against heat and protects skin from sunburn.
- Increase brushing frequency to clear loose undercoat and improve airflow to the skin underneath.
- Keep up with regular baths to manage shedding and prevent matting in humid weather, which speeds up tangling significantly.
- Watch for hot pavement on paw pads during walks — this is a heat-related issue separate from coat care, but just as seasonal.
The Shaving Myth
It's an understandable instinct — a thick coat looks hot, so shaving it off seems like relief. But for most double-coated breeds, the undercoat is doing more cooling work than removing it would achieve. Shaving also removes the coat's natural sun protection, leaving skin exposed to sunburn, and the coat can sometimes grow back unevenly or with a different texture afterward. The better move for genuinely double-coated dogs is a thorough de-shedding treatment and consistent brushing, not a shave-down.
“For most double-coated breeds, a proper de-shed and brush-out does more for summer comfort than a shave ever will.”
Cold Weather Coat Care
- Avoid close shaves in the weeks before winter — dogs need coat length for warmth once temperatures drop.
- Dry your dog fully after baths before they go back outside; a damp coat in cold air is uncomfortable and can chill a dog quickly.
- Check paw pads more often for cracking, or irritation from salt and ice on winter walks.
- Moisturizing paw balms can help with dry, cracked pads that are more common in cold, dry air.
Transition Seasons: Shedding Season Survival
Spring and fall are when double-coated dogs "blow" their coat — shedding a large volume of undercoat over a few weeks as they transition between summer and winter coats. This is the single most important time to increase brushing frequency, even for dogs who don't need much attention the rest of the year. A thorough de-shedding treatment during these windows removes loose undercoat before it mats, and makes a noticeable difference in the amount of hair you're otherwise vacuuming off the couch.
Key Takeaways
- Double coats regulate temperature in both directions — resist the urge to shave for summer.
- Increase brushing in summer to keep the undercoat from trapping heat and moisture.
- Keep coat length up in winter, and always dry fully before outdoor time.
- Shedding season (spring and fall) is the highest-priority window for de-shedding treatments.
Not sure what your dog's coat needs this time of year? Ask us at your next visit — we're happy to walk you through a seasonal plan suited to your dog's specific breed and coat.
