Does Your Dog Have a Double Coat? Here’s What That Means — and How to Care for It

At Gordie’s Grooming in Gilbert, we work with all kinds of pups — and one of the first things we check is their coat type. Whether your dog is a husky, goldendoodle, or something in between, understanding their coat means better grooming, fewer mats, and a happier pup.

 

What Is a “Double Coat”?

A double-coat means your dog has two distinct layers of fur:

• An outer “guard” layer: longer hairs that protect and give the coat its look.
• A dense under-coat: short, soft, insulating hairs that trap heat, regulate temperature, and change with the seasons.

Dogs with double coats often shed heavily during seasonal “blows” (spring and fall) as the under-coat comes out.

 

Common Double Coated Breeds

• Alaskan Malamute
• Siberian Husky
• Samoyed
• Akita
• Shiba Inu
• Canadian Eskimo Dog
• Greenland Dog
• Finnish Spitz
• Norwegian Elkhound
• Swedish Vallhund
• Keeshond
• American Eskimo Dog
• Chow Chow

 

 

How Do You Know If Your Dog Has a Double Coat?

Here are some tell-tale signs:

• Run your fingers through the fur and you feel a soft “fleece” layer under the top hairs.
• When you brush, you pull up a lot of soft short hairs (especially during seasonal shedding).
• Your dog looks fuller/thicker, often with a “fluffy underbelly” or plume tail.
• They shed in “clumps” or appear to produce sheets of hair during blow-outs.

If you’re seeing those, you may have a double coat — and it comes with special grooming needs.

 

Why Double-Coats Matter in Grooming

Because of that dual-layer structure:

• If the under-coat isn’t removed regularly, it can mat, trap moisture, or cause skin problems.
• Over-heating: in warm climates like Arizona, double-coats still serve a purpose of insulation — but may need more cooling support.
• Bath & dry time is longer: that dense fluff needs a good blow-out to prevent clumping and moisture issues.
• Avoid “shaving” the coat entirely: unlike some single-coat breeds, cutting a double-coat too short can do more harm than good (less protection, uneven regrowth, sun/burn risk).

 

Grooming Tips for Double-Coated Dogs

1. Regular brushing — At home, use a slicker or under-coat rake weekly. At Gordie’s we recommend a full de-shedding session every 4–8 weeks (depending on your dog’s life stage & coat density).
2. Bath & proper drying — Use a gentle shampoo, rinse thoroughly, then blow-dry on a medium temperature while brushing the coat outward from the skin. Moisture trapped in the under-coat = skin irritation.
3. Avoid close shaves — We trim lines and tidy up, but we leave enough protective outer coat. If you live in summers like Arizona, we may adapt with a “summer trim” while keeping the under-coat respected.
4. Seasonal maintenance — Expect “blow-outs” twice a year (spring & fall). Book ahead. At home you’ll see more hair on surfaces — and that’s normal.
5. Check skin underneath — With thick fur it’s harder to spot hotspots or moisture. We recommend lifting the coat and inspecting the skin regularly; if you feel excess warmth or dampness, contact us or your vet.
6. Hydration + diet matter (of course!) — A nutrient-rich diet + hydration make the fur healthier and easier to manage. The better the skin and coat from the inside, the less maintenance needed outside.

 

Grooming Myths to Skip

• Myth: “Shaving a double coat makes my dog cooler.” → False. The under-coat naturally insulates and regulates temperature; shaving can impair that function and leave skin vulnerable.
• Myth: “Double-coats don’t go bald in summer if left alone.” → In hot climates, dogs may self-thin the under-coat — but letting mats form is worse for the skin than scheduled grooming.
• Myth: “Shorter fur means less shedding.” → Not really— the hair still needs to go somewhere. Regular brushing is the real answer.

 

Why We Care

At Gordie’s we don’t just make dogs look good—we make them feel good. For a double-coated pup, the difference between “just trimmed” and “trim + under-coat management” can mean fewer mats, less skin irritation, better comfort, and a happier tail wag.

If your dog is thick, fluffy, shedding more than you expect, or you’re just not sure if they have a double coat—book a consult with us. We’ll assess the coat, suggest a grooming plan tailored to your dog’s lifestyle (indoor vs outdoor, warm vs cool climate, shedding level), and help you keep your pup comfortable year-round.

 

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Ready to get your double-coated pup looking and feeling their best?

 

Book your next groom online: Gordie’s Grooming.

Need advice? Call us at (480) 471-8884 — we’re dog-people who love this stuff.