How to Deshed a Double-Coated Dog: Tools, Blowing Coat and Why Not to Shave

Updated October 27, 2026

This guide is for owners of double-coated dogs: Huskies, German Shepherds, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Corgis, Samoyeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Australian Shepherds, Pomeranians and their mixes. It explains how a double coat works, the difference between an undercoat rake and a deshedding tool, what to do when your dog blows coat, why shaving is a bad idea, and how a bath and a good dryer can move a season's worth of undercoat in an afternoon.

The short answer: brush a double coat at least once a week with a slicker and a comb, and daily during spring and fall shedding. Use an undercoat rake or a deshedding tool to pull loose undercoat, with light strokes and never on mats. During a heavy shed, bathe, then blow the coat out with a high-velocity dryer on a cool setting. Do not shave the coat to cut shedding or to keep your dog cool.

How we wrote this: the advice comes from the veterinary and animal welfare sources linked in the text. Product mentions use brand specs and named, linked reviews. We have not tested these products ourselves, and this page has no affiliate links.

How a double coat works

A double coat has two layers. The AKC describes an outer topcoat of longer guard hairs and, beneath it, a soft, dense undercoat of shorter hairs. The two layers work together to protect the skin, shed water and regulate temperature. The guard hairs shed slowly; the undercoat is the part that comes out in clumps and covers your couch.

Double coats come in every length, from the short, tight coat of a Labrador to the long, plush coat of a Samoyed or Pomeranian. The tools and the routine are similar, but longer coats take longer and tangle more easily, especially behind the ears, in the "pants" on the back legs and under the tail.

Blowing coat: what seasonal shedding looks like

Most double-coated dogs drop a large amount of undercoat once or twice a year, usually in spring and fall. Groomers call this blowing coat. The AKC explains that dogs lose the heavier winter coat in spring and shed lighter hair in fall to make room for thicker insulation. The undercoat comes out in tufts and patches, and the dog can look moth-eaten for a few weeks.

How much hair is involved? The Samoyed Club of America says a Samoyed can shed as much as a bushel in two combings. Climate changes the timing: a groomer quoted by the AKC notes that a dog in a cold place may shed its undercoat only in spring and fall, while a dog in a warmer area may shed four times a year or all the time. Indoor dogs often shed a little all year.

Normal seasonal shedding leaves healthy skin and an even coat underneath. Thinning fur, bald patches or irritated skin are different: the AKC lists them as signs of possible health problems such as hypothyroidism or allergies. If you see them, or find red, wet, sore spots (hot spots), see your vet.

Undercoat rake vs deshedding tool

Both tools pull loose undercoat, but they work differently, and most double-coated dogs do best with a slicker and comb for the basics plus one of these for shedding season.

Undercoat rake

The AKC describes undercoat rakes as one or two rows of metal pins that go through to the undercoat to remove loose fur and help remove and prevent mats. They suit double-coated breeds of all coat lengths, but the AKC stresses that you must choose a pin length that matches your dog's coat. Too short and the rake skims the top; too long and it digs at the skin. Rakes are the usual first tool for long, plush coats like a Samoyed, Husky or Bernese.

Deshedding tool

A deshedding tool has a short, fine-toothed steel edge that reaches through the topcoat and catches loose undercoat. It removes a lot of hair fast, which also means it is easy to overdo. FURminator, the best-known brand, sells separate versions by dog size and coat length, advises using its tool on a dry coat once or twice a week for 10 to 20 minutes, and says not to use it on non-shedding breeds or dogs with particularly sensitive skin. Deshedding tools tend to suit short and medium double coats, like Labs, Corgis and German Shepherds, well.

Slicker brush and metal comb

These are the everyday tools. The AKC recommends a slicker followed by a comb at least once a week, with a soft slicker for puppies and a medium slicker for adults. The comb shows you whether you have really reached the skin: if it catches, there is still packed undercoat or a tangle there.

Tool	What it does	Best for	Watch out for
Undercoat rake	Pins reach down and pull loose undercoat; helps loosen mats	Long and plush double coats	Pin length must match coat length
Deshedding tool	Fine steel edge catches loose undercoat through the topcoat	Short and medium double coats	Skin irritation if overused; not for mats
Slicker brush	Fine wire pins lift loose hair and small tangles	All double coats, weekly	Press lightly to avoid brush burn
Metal comb	Checks that the coat is clear to the skin	All double coats, after brushing	Do not force it through mats

How to deshed a double coat at home

Pick a spot you do not mind covering in hair (outside is ideal), and have a bag ready for the fluff.

Check the skin first. Part the coat in a few places and look for redness, sores or scabs. If you find any, skip the deshedding tool and see your vet.
Find and loosen tangles with your fingers, a slicker or a comb. Deshedding tools should never go through a mat.
Work in sections, starting at the back legs and moving forward. Brush in the direction the hair grows.
Use the rake or deshedding tool with long, light strokes. Do not go over the same patch again and again, and stop if the skin turns pink.
Follow with a slicker to lift what the tool loosened, then run a comb through each section to check you have reached the skin.
Go gently on the belly, armpits, legs and the thin skin around the face and ears. A comb or slicker is usually enough there.
Stop while your dog is still relaxed. During a heavy shed, short daily sessions beat one long one.

How often? Outside shedding season, a weekly brush is enough for most double coats. During a blow, the AKC says heavy shedders may need brushing several times a week or even daily, and the Golden Retriever Club of America's education director, quoted by the AKC, recommends a daily brush for Goldens in heavy shed.

Why you should not shave a double-coated dog

It is tempting to shave a hot, shedding dog in summer. Dog experts and breed clubs say no, for several reasons:

The coat is insulation, in both directions. Dr. Jerry Klein, the AKC's chief veterinary officer, says shaving to reduce shedding or to keep a dog cool removes that insulating layer and makes the dog more prone to heat stroke (AKC).
Sun protection. The same AKC article notes that the coat protects against sunburn and lowers the risk of skin cancer. VCA Animal Hospitals advises leaving at least 1 inch of coat if a dog must be clipped, to avoid sunburn.
It may not grow back right. Undercoat regrows faster than guard hair, so a shaved coat can come back fluffy, patchy or a different texture or color (AKC). VCA notes that post-clipping alopecia, where hair does not grow back normally, can happen, especially in plush-coated breeds like Huskies and Pomeranians.
It does not stop shedding. The dog still sheds; the hairs are just shorter.

The Golden Retriever Club of America's advice, as reported by the AKC, is simply not to shave or clip the coat. There are exceptions: a vet may clip for surgery or a wound, and a groomer may have to clip a coat so matted that the skin cannot dry underneath (AKC). Trimming the hair under the paw pads, around the rear and tidying the feathering is fine. If your dog struggles in the heat, keep up with deshedding so air can move through the coat, and provide shade, water and cool rest.

Bath and dryer: the fastest way to move undercoat

A bath during shedding season loosens a lot of undercoat, and a high-velocity dryer blows it out. VCA says dogs with heavy undercoats benefit from a bath in spring or fall, when they shed seasonally, and the Samoyed Club of America suggests bathing right after the coat has been combed out. Our guide on how to bathe a dog at home covers the basics; here is the double-coat version.

Brush out tangles before the bath. Water tightens mats, as Humane World for Animals points out.
Wet the coat right down to the skin. Double coats repel water, so this takes longer than you expect; work the water in with your hand or a scrubber.
Use a dog shampoo, not your own. PetMD notes that dog skin has a different pH, and human shampoo can dry it out.
Rinse, then rinse again. The groomer quoted by the AKC says to keep rinsing after you think you are done, and the Golden Retriever club advice is to rinse twice because the coat holds shampoo. Leftover shampoo can irritate the skin.
Squeeze water out and press with a towel. The AKC says to press, not rub, to avoid tangles.
Dry with a high-velocity dryer. Start on low, away from the head, and blow against the direction of hair growth so the air reaches the skin (as the AKC Golden guide describes). You will see clouds of undercoat lift out.
Brush as you dry, and keep going until the coat is dry right to the skin. A damp undercoat can stay wet against the skin for hours.

Use airflow, not heat. The AKC says the airflow does the drying and that heat can burn a dog's skin. Use a cool or low-warm setting, keep the nozzle moving, and keep it away from the face and ears. Never leave a dog alone with a dryer running.

Our picks

FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool, Large Dog, Short Hair

Sources: specs, NBC Select

For large dogs over 50 pounds with short, dense double coats, such as Labs. Its stainless steel edge reaches through the topcoat to the loose undercoat, and a FURejector button clears the collected hair. The brand advises 10 to 20 minutes once or twice a week on a dry, mat-free coat; other sizes and a long-hair version are sold separately.

Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush

Sources: specs, Vetstreet

A heavy-duty slicker for long and plush double coats. The Large has 27mm stainless steel pins, and Chris Christensen lists double-coated breeds among its target coats for undercoat removal and fluff drying. Use it with a light touch.

Chris Christensen Greyhound-Style Buttercomb

Sources: specs, NBC Select

A steel comb with a coarse end (8 teeth per inch) and a fine end (11 teeth per inch), used to check your work down to the skin. It will not remove heavy undercoat on its own; it shows you where the brush or rake still needs to go.

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo

Sources: specs, NBC Select

A soap-free, pH-balanced oatmeal and aloe shampoo labeled for dogs and cats 6 weeks and older. The label says to leave it on at least 90 seconds before rinsing, and it may be diluted 10:1, which helps on a big, thick coat. Ask your vet before using a new care product if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.

Aquapaw Dog Bath Brush Pro

Sources: specs, Family Handyman

A hand-worn sprayer and silicone scrubber that helps you get water and shampoo through a dense coat down to the skin. It comes with an 8-foot hose and shower and garden hose adapters, so you can bathe outside and keep the fur out of your drain.

SHELANDY Pet Grooming Dryer 1902

Sources: specs, Whole Dog Journal

A budget high-velocity dryer with stepless airflow from 65 to 135 MPH and warm and cool settings. It has less power than premium steel dryers, so giant double-coated dogs take longer to dry, but it is a practical start for blowing out undercoat at home.

Neakasa P1 Pro Pet Grooming Vacuum Kit

Sources: specs, Canine Journal

For owners who mostly want the hair off the floor. This corded kit pairs a rake (deshedding) tool, a grooming brush and a clipper with a vacuum that pulls loose hair into a 1 L cup. Noise runs from 52 dB in eco mode up to 75 dB, so start noise-shy dogs on eco. It is less suited to very long, full or matted coats, so think short and medium double coats.

Mistakes to avoid

Shaving the coat to stop shedding or cool your dog down.
Running a deshedding tool over mats, wet hair or irritated skin.
Pressing hard or going over one spot repeatedly until the skin turns pink.
Brushing only the topcoat and leaving packed undercoat against the skin.
Bathing without rinsing thoroughly, or leaving the undercoat damp.
Using high heat on the dryer.

FAQ

Is an undercoat rake or a deshedding tool better?

A rake is usually better for long, plush coats and for loosening packed undercoat, while a deshedding tool is quick on short and medium double coats. Many owners use both, plus a slicker and comb.

How often should I deshed my dog?

About once a week outside shedding season, and several times a week or daily in short sessions during a heavy shed. FURminator advises using its tool once or twice a week for 10 to 20 minutes.

How long does blowing coat last?

It varies by dog and climate, but a heavy shed often lasts a few weeks. Regular brushing and a bath and blow-dry shorten the messy stage.

Will shaving my Husky or Golden keep them cool?

No. The AKC's chief vet says shaving removes the coat's insulation and can make heat stroke more likely, and the coat may not grow back normally.

Can a deshedding tool hurt my dog?

It can irritate the skin if you press hard, overuse it or use it on mats. Use light strokes, check the skin, and stop at any redness.

Do I need a high-velocity dryer for a double-coated dog?

You do not have to have one, but it removes far more loose undercoat and dries the coat to the skin faster than a towel. Use it on a cool or low setting.