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Puppies with double coats have two layers of fur.
The underlayer consists of short fuzzy hairs and is very dense. This undercoat helps protect your puppy from temperature changes, both hot and cold. The top coat is usually thicker and wiry, not as dense as the undercoat. These longer hairs are called the guard hairs. The top coat is mainly to repel dirt and moisture.
20 Breeds of Puppies With Double Coats:
You might be surprised by the number of breeds who share a double coat, so let’s name a few:
- German shepherd
- Border Collie
- Shiba Inu
- Pomeranian
- Saint Bernard
- malamutes
- Labrador retriever
- Akita
- schnauzer
- Havanese
- Brussels griffon
- Siberian and Alaskan husky
- Great Pyrenees
- Newfoundland
- golden retriever
- Duck Toller
- Australian shepherd
- Bernese mountain dog
- Chow Chow
- Chesapeake Bay
But the list does go on!
What Does It Mean When A Puppy Blows Their Coat?
The term “coat blow” is only used in breeds with a double coat. Coat blowing occurs once a year to rid the breed of their winter coat. Depending on your region, when spring finally rolls in, puppies with double coats will lose their winter fur rapidly. This is the undercoat that was necessary to keep warm during winter.
Coat blowing can look like a medical issue since fur can come out in big clumps. Prepare to spend the next couple of weeks brushing your puppy daily to remove this large amount of fur.
Will My Double-Coated Puppy Require More Grooming?
Your puppy will shed less often than other breeds, but it will be a large amount all at once. If you want the help of a groomer, they can properly wash and brush out your puppy’s extra fur. Using a blow dryer even helps to blast some of this hair away from the body. It’s not necessary if you don’t want to spend the extra cash since you can up your brushing for a bit and take care of the fur on your own.
Why You Shouldn’t Shave Puppies With Double Coats
A good groomer will never allow a dog owner to shave their double-coated puppy. This can create problems and does not help with shedding. The puppy’s coat is extremely important for regulating its temperature in the summer.
Believe it or not, the thick undercoat keeps your puppy from becoming too hot. Shaving a double-coated dog can also change the consistency of their fur, and it will never grow back the same. Some dogs will not grow back all their fur, and it alters their coat forever.
Check out our article on Protecting Your Home From Puppy Shedding
