Should You Shave Your Dog in Summer?

Every summer, we get the same request: "Can you shave my golden retriever? He looks so hot." We understand the instinct — you're sweating in the Florida heat, your dog is panting, and removing all that fur seems like the obvious solution. But shaving a double-coated dog is almost always the wrong move, and here's exactly why.

What is a double coat?

A double coat consists of two layers: a dense, soft undercoat that insulates against both heat AND cold, and a longer, coarser outer coat (guard hairs) that protects against sun, rain, and debris. Breeds with double coats include golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, huskies, german shepherds, australian shepherds, border collies, corgis, pomeranians, samoyeds, and many others.

Why the undercoat is your dog's air conditioner

This is the part most people don't understand. The undercoat acts like insulation — the same way insulation in your house keeps heat OUT in summer and IN during winter. When you shave the coat, you remove that insulation and your dog's skin is directly exposed to the Florida sun. Without the undercoat, your dog absorbs MORE heat, not less. They can also get sunburned, which is painful and increases skin cancer risk.

The coat may never grow back the same

Double coats grow in cycles. The undercoat and guard hairs grow at different rates. When you shave both layers to the skin, the undercoat often grows back faster than the guard hairs, resulting in a permanently altered coat texture — thicker, woolier, and more prone to matting. Some dogs' guard hairs never fully return. This is called "post-clipping alopecia" and it's far more common than most owners realize.

What actually keeps your double-coated dog cool

Instead of shaving, here's what really works in Panama City summers:

• Professional de-shedding treatment — removes loose undercoat so air can circulate next to the skin. This is the single best thing you can do.
• Regular brushing at home — 2–3 times per week to prevent undercoat buildup
• Fresh cold water available at all times
• Shade and air conditioning during peak heat (10 AM–4 PM)
• Limiting outdoor exercise to early morning and evening
• A cooling mat or wet towel for them to lie on
• Never leave your dog in a car — not even for 5 minutes, not even with windows cracked

When shaving IS appropriate

There are a few legitimate reasons to shave a double-coated dog: severe matting that can't be safely brushed out, medical procedures requiring skin access, chronic skin conditions where the vet recommends it, or an extremely neglected coat from a rescue situation. In these cases, the health benefit outweighs the coat damage. But "it's hot outside" is not one of those reasons.

What about single-coated breeds?

Single-coated breeds (poodles, yorkies, maltese, shih tzus, bichons, schnauzers, and most doodles) can and should get haircuts — their coat grows continuously like human hair and doesn't have the insulating undercoat structure. Summer trims on these breeds are perfectly fine and recommended.

How to tell if your dog has a double coat

Run your fingers through your dog's fur down to the skin. If you feel a dense, soft layer underneath longer, coarser hairs — that's a double coat. If the fur is one consistent texture from skin to tip — that's likely a single coat. If you're not sure, ask your groomer. We can tell in seconds.

The bottom line

If your dog has a double coat, don't shave it for summer. Get a professional de-shedding treatment instead — it removes the loose undercoat, lets air circulate, and keeps the protective guard hairs intact. Your dog will be cooler, more comfortable, and their coat will stay healthy for years. Book a de-shed at Animal Friends and we'll show you the mountain of undercoat that comes out — it's genuinely impressive.