Grooming a Heavy-Shedding Dog: Managing a Blown Coat Effectively

Certain dog breeds require minimal coat maintenance due to having short, straight, and single-layered fur that largely looks after itself. However, if your dog is the opposite, with a long, double-coated or very heavy shedding coat, you may find yourself battling hoovers and grooming kits to keep loose hair under control.

Twice or three times yearly, some breeds blow their coat — a natural seasonal process where they shed their entire undercoat over two to three weeks, replacing it with a fresh coat suited for the coming season. During this time, expect significant shedding that can leave fur everywhere, even releasing a cloud of hairs when you pat your dog!

If your dog is a heavy shedder like the Golden Retriever puppies, or breeds such as the Akita or Siberian Husky puppies that regularly blow their coat, here’s a comprehensive guide to grooming and managing their coat efficiently.

Grooming Tools for Heavy Shedding Dogs

An industrial-strength hoover is a must for controlling shed fur around your home. Equally important is a grooming kit tailored to thick, fluffy double coats. Investing in multiple combs of varying densities, a plastic curry comb, an undercoat rake, a slicker brush, and a shedding blade will help you tackle both the outer coat and dense undercoat effectively.

Step-by-Step Grooming Routine

Step 1: Remove Surface Dirt and Debris

Start with the plastic curry comb to gently break through the top coat and lift dirt and loose hairs to the surface.

Step 2: Target Loose Undercoat

Use the undercoat rake, following the direction of the hair growth, to extract loose undercoat hairs trapped beneath the top layer. This tool prevents matting and allows airflow to the skin.

Step 3: Brush and Smooth the Coat

Employ the slicker brush to collect loosened fur and smooth the surface coat, helping reduce tangles and mats.

Step 4: Thin the Coat with a Shedding Blade

Finally, use the shedding blade to thin excess fur from both layers, reducing bulk and controlling shedding effectively. Comb through any knots before this step to prevent discomfort.

Bathing Your Heavy Shedding Dog

Bathing can be particularly helpful towards the end of the coat blowing phase. Before bathing, thoroughly brush and comb to remove as much loose fur as possible. Use a gentle dog shampoo or mild baby shampoo to cleanse the coat, starting at the shoulders and working down the body and limbs while brushing to help dislodge shed hairs.

Be cautious washing your dog’s face, avoiding shampoo in the eyes. Rinse thoroughly to ensure no shampoo residue remains, as this can irritate the skin. Dry your dog with towels, a blow dryer on a cool setting, or naturally if the weather is warm.

Managing Shed Fur Within the Home

During heavy shedding periods, restrict your dog’s access to carpeted or fabric-heavy rooms to minimise hair embedding into soft furnishings. Regular grooming paired with frequent vacuuming will keep shed hair manageable and prevent buildup.

Maintaining a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids supports coat health and can reduce excessive shedding. Staying attentive to your dog’s condition during shedding seasons is important; sudden or severe shedding may signal underlying health issues requiring veterinary advice.

Regularly visiting a professional groomer equipped with specialised tools can also provide relief during intense shedding phases.

By adhering to a consistent grooming schedule, using the right tools, and managing your environment, you’ll help keep your dog's coat healthy and your home fur-free, making the shedding season more manageable for both of you.