What is double coat?
Updated By PetymFacts checked against official sources on
Quick answer
A double coat is two layers of fur: a soft, dense undercoat close to the skin and a longer outer coat of guard hairs. Huskies, Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Pomeranians have one. The undercoat insulates against heat as well as cold, so vets advise brushing it out regularly rather than shaving the dog in an Indian summer.
Also called double-coated dog, undercoat, guard hair.
Key facts
- A double-coated dog has a soft inner undercoat that insulates, and a longer outer coat of guard hairs that gives colour and protection. American Kennel Club
- The AKC's chief vet says the coat acts as an insulator, and shaving it off can make a dog more prone to heatstroke. American Kennel Club
- A Texas A&M vet says fully shaving a dog is not usually necessary unless the coat is matted. Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine (Pet Talk, 16 June 2022)
- After a shave the undercoat can grow back first and crowd out the guard hairs, changing the coat's texture and look. Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine (Pet Talk, 16 June 2022)
- Merck notes that dogs from cold climates have a soft, thick undercoat for warmth. Merck Veterinary Manual
How does a double coat keep a dog cool?
By trapping a layer of air next to the skin, which slows heat coming in as well as heat going out.
It sounds backwards in a Delhi May, but the undercoat works like insulation in a wall. Texas A&M's vet school describes the thick fur as a natural barrier of cool air that helps the dog regulate its temperature, and the AKC adds that the coat also shields the skin from sun. Dogs do not sweat through their skin to cool down; they cool mainly by panting, so removing the coat does not give them a human-style cooling system.
The catch is that the insulation only works if the dead undercoat is removed. These breeds shed, or "blow", their undercoat seasonally, and Texas A&M's vet says that unbrushed, the coat may not do its job of keeping the pet cool. In the monsoon, a coat that stays damp and packed is also harder to check for ticks.
Should you shave a Husky or a Golden Retriever in summer?
Generally not. Vets at the AKC and Texas A&M advise brushing instead, and keep shaving for matting or a medical reason.
You may have read
A shaved dog feels cooler in Indian heat.
Myth
What the sources say
Shaving removes the insulating layer, which can leave a dog less tolerant of high heat and more prone to heatstroke, according to the AKC's chief vet. American Kennel Club
You may have read
The coat grows back exactly as it was.
Myth
What the sources say
The undercoat can regrow first and crowd out the slower guard hairs, leaving the coat patchy or a different texture. American Kennel Club
You may have read
Shaving stops the shedding.
Myth
What the sources say
The dog keeps shedding; regular brushing is what removes loose undercoat and keeps air moving through the coat. Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine (Pet Talk, 16 June 2022)
You may have read
Trimming anything is harmful.
Myth
What the sources say
The AKC suggests trimming excess fur around the paws, where dogs have sweat glands, as one way to help in summer. American Kennel Club
How do you care for a double coat in India?
Brushing, shade and timing do more than clippers. These are the basics a sitter can keep up too.
- Brush often, and more while the dog is blowing its coat, to lift out dead undercoat. Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine (Pet Talk, 16 June 2022)
- Give cool baths in hot spells, and dry the coat well afterwards. American Kennel Club
- Keep water and shade available at all times, and walk in the cooler parts of the day. American Kennel Club
- Never leave the dog in a parked car. American Kennel Club
- If the coat is badly matted, ask a vet or professional groomer: matting is the main case where clipping may be needed. Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine (Pet Talk, 16 June 2022)
Which breeds have a double coat?
The AKC names the Golden Retriever and Siberian Husky as double-coated, and Texas A&M's vet school names the Husky, Labrador, Australian Shepherd and Pomeranian. Breed pages describe the coat of each breed, and your vet or groomer can tell you whether your own dog, including a mixed-breed or indie dog, has a dense undercoat that needs this care.
Single-coated breeds, such as the Poodle and the Boxer, are different: the AKC says occasional professional clipping can prevent matting in these coats, but they should keep at least an inch of hair for protection.
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Questions owners ask
Does a Labrador have a double coat?
- Yes. Texas A&M's veterinary school names the Labrador with the Siberian Husky, Australian Shepherd and Pomeranian as breeds with a thick double coat. Labradors shed heavily, so regular brushing helps, and like other double-coated dogs they should be brushed rather than shaved in summer.
Is it cruel to keep a Husky in India?
- A Husky can live in India, but its thick double coat was made for cold, so it needs air conditioning or a cool room in summer, walks only in the coolest hours, constant water and regular brushing. Shaving the coat does not solve the heat problem and can make it worse.
Can I shave my dog if it has matted fur?
- Matting is the main reason vets accept clipping a double coat. A Texas A&M vet says fully shaving a dog is not usually necessary unless there is matting. Ask your vet or a professional groomer, and protect the skin from sun while the coat grows back.
How often should I brush a double-coated dog?
- Often, and more while the dog is shedding its undercoat, which Texas A&M notes these breeds thin out in warmer months. Brushing lifts out dead undercoat so air can move through the coat, and gives you a chance to check for ticks during the monsoon.
Keep reading
Related terms
More in breeds and anatomy
- Body condition scoreA body condition score (BCS) rates a pet's body fat by look and feel, usually on WSAVA's 9-point scale: 1 is emaciated, 9 is severely obese, and the ideal sits around 4 to 5. You check how easily the ribs can be felt, whether there is a waist from above, and whether the belly tucks up from the side.
- BrachycephalicBrachycephalic means short-headed: dogs and cats bred with a flat face and short muzzle, such as the Pug, Shih Tzu, French Bulldog, Bulldog and Persian cat. The squashed airway makes breathing and cooling harder, so these pets overheat more easily, a real risk in Indian summers. Several Indian airlines refuse them in the hold.
- DewclawsDewclaws are the extra toes with claws that sit a little above a dog's foot, on the inner side of the leg, most often on the front legs. Because they do not touch the ground, walking never wears them down, so they need regular trimming. Left long, a dewclaw can curl round and grow into the toe pad, which hurts.
- Indie dogAn indie dog is India's native dog: the free-living type often called the Indian pariah dog, INDog or desi dog, rather than a pedigree breed. It is usually medium-sized, short-coated, prick-eared and curl-tailed, alert and territorial. Genetic research finds Indian village dogs show little European ancestry, making them one of the world's older dog populations.
- MicrochipA pet microchip is a tiny identification chip, about the size of a grain of rice, injected under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. It holds a unique number that a scanner reads, linked to your contact details on a database. It is not a GPS tracker. Most countries you might move a pet to require an ISO-standard chip.
- Senior petA senior pet is in the later part of its expected life. For cats, vets' guidelines say senior means over 10 years. For dogs it depends on size: AVMA counts giant breeds as seniors from about 6 to 7 years and small dogs from about 8 to 11. Old age is not a disease, but seniors need closer checks.
- Spay and neuterSpaying and neutering are surgeries that stop a pet breeding. Spaying a female removes the ovaries and usually the womb; neutering or castrating a male removes the testicles. Besides preventing litters they lower some health risks, such as womb infection in females. The right age depends on species, breed and size, so your vet decides the timing.
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Sources
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