Guide · Brushes and deshedding
How to groom a double-coated dog
A home routine for double coats: which brushes to use and in what order, how often AKC says to brush common breeds, bathing and drying, and when to stop.
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Short answer
Brush all the way to the skin with a slicker, follow with an undercoat rake or deshedding tool when the dog is shedding, and check your work with a metal comb. AKC says brushing may be weekly, a few times a week, or daily during heavy shedding, and its breed pages give the cadence for each breed.[1] Bathe only occasionally, dry the coat completely, and never shave it to manage heat or shedding.
What you are trying to do
A double coat has a harsh topcoat of guard hairs over a soft, dense undercoat. The topcoat helps repel dirt and water and protects the skin; the undercoat insulates.[2] Grooming a double coat means lifting out the undercoat that has already come loose while leaving the topcoat intact.
That is why shaving is the wrong tool. AKC says it removes both layers, does not cool the dog and does not stop shedding.[2][3] The details are in should you shave a double-coated dog?
The tool kit
| Tool | Its job | What the sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Slicker brush | First pass: loosens dead hair and small tangles | AKC calls slickers excellent for double-coated breeds.[1] |
| Undercoat rake | Pulls loose undercoat out of a dense coat | AKC suggests a coat rake or shedding tool, pulled in the direction of hair growth.[1] |
| Deshedding tool | Catches loose undercoat with a fine-toothed edge | FURminator says its tool is not for non-shedding breeds or pets with particularly sensitive skin.[4] |
| Pin brush | Glides through longer coats and feathering | AKC pairs pin brushes with many longhaired dogs.[5] |
| Metal comb | Finds tangles the brushes missed | AKC's Husky page has the undercoat raked out with a pin brush and metal comb.[6] |
| Dog dryer (optional) | Dries the coat after a bath | AKC says airflow, not heat, should do the drying.[7] |
You do not need everything on day one. A slicker and a metal comb cover most weeks; add a rake or deshedding tool for shedding season. For which brush suits which coat, see slicker vs pin brush, and for the undercoat tools, undercoat rake vs deshedding tool.
We do not list an undercoat rake, deshedding tool or comb yet, because none we found met our bar. The rake guide explains what to look for on a listing.
A routine for most double coats
- Check the coat and skin first. Part the hair in a few places and look at the skin. Feel for mats in the friction spots AKC lists for the Shetland Sheepdog: behind the ears, under the elbows and in the "pants" on the back legs.[8]
- Slicker, in sections, down to the skin. AAHA says to brush all the way to the skin, parting the hair to reach the undercoat, where most loose fur collects.[9] One brush maker's directions are a good rule for any slicker: brush gently in the direction of the hair, do not press on the skin, and let the brush do the work.[10] Working in thin layers is called line brushing.
- Rake or deshed only once tangles are out. FURminator says to brush out mats and tangles first, because using its tool on matted fur can bend or break the teeth and feel uncomfortable for the dog.[4] Pull the tool along the coat in the direction of hair growth.[1]
- Comb to check. A metal comb should slide through to the skin. If it catches, go back over that patch with the slicker.
- Keep it short. AAHA says just 5 to 10 minutes, two or three times a week, can significantly reduce loose hair.[9]
- End on a good note. AVSAB, the veterinary behavior society, recommends pairing handling with things the dog likes and rewarding calm tolerance in small steps.[11]
How often: what AKC says, breed by breed
AKC's home grooming guide says most dogs only need a few brushing sessions a week.[5] Its breed pages are more specific, and most step up during heavy shedding, when the dog blows its coat.
| Breed | AKC's brushing advice |
|---|---|
| Golden Retriever | Slicker once or twice a week; daily during heavy shedding.[12] |
| German Shepherd Dog | A quick brushing every few days; more when it sheds heavily once or twice a year.[13] |
| Siberian Husky | Weekly; the undercoat sheds twice a year and should be raked out with a pin brush and metal comb.[6] |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | A daily once-over with comb and slicker; a rake in shedding season.[14] |
| Australian Shepherd | Weekly; an undercoat rake every two or three days in shedding season.[15] |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Weekly; daily in the twice-yearly shedding season.[16] |
| Border Collie | Pin brush once or twice a week; daily in shedding season.[17] |
| Shetland Sheepdog | Weekly; more often in shedding season.[8] |
| Pomeranian | Pin brush and slicker, down to the skin, once a week.[18] |
| Labrador Retriever | No interval given; AKC describes a thick, water-repellent double coat that sheds.[19] |
Treat these as starting points. If loose hair builds up between sessions, or the comb starts to catch, brush more often.
Bathing and drying
Bathe occasionally, not often. AKC says frequent bathing can strip natural oils from the skin and coat, and AAHA says regular brushing is more effective than bathing for long-term shedding control.[5][9]
After a bath, dry the coat completely. AKC's Golden Retriever page says the dog must be completely dry before you brush.[12] For drying, AKC advises a dryer designed for dogs rather than a human hair dryer, and warns that heat might burn the skin. High-velocity dryers blow the water out of the coat, so the airflow does the drying; keep the nozzle away from the face and ears.[7] More in can you use a human hair dryer on a dog?
Optional: a grooming vacuum
A grooming vacuum connects a brush or deshedding head to a small vacuum, so loose hair goes into a bin instead of onto the floor. Use the brush heads, not the clipper head to take the coat short. Whether one is worth it depends on your dog's tolerance for noise; see are dog grooming vacuums worth it?
Next
Questions
How often should I brush a double-coated dog?
AKC's home grooming guide says most dogs only need a few brushing sessions a week, and AKC breed pages often call for daily brushing during heavy shedding. AAHA says even 5 to 10 minutes two or three times a week can significantly reduce loose hair.[5][1][9]
What is the best brush for a double-coated dog?
Usually a combination. AKC calls slicker brushes excellent for double-coated breeds and suggests switching to a coat rake or shedding tool for the undercoat; a metal comb then finds any tangles left behind.[1]
Should I bathe my dog more often to reduce shedding?
No. AAHA says regular brushing is more effective than bathing for long-term shedding control, and AKC warns that frequent baths can strip natural oils from the skin and coat. When you do bathe, dry the coat completely before brushing.[9][5][12]
Is a deshedding tool safe for a double-coated dog?
It can be, used as the maker directs. FURminator says its tool suits most shedding animals with an undercoat, but not non-shedding breeds or pets with particularly sensitive skin, and that mats should be brushed out first. See undercoat rake vs deshedding tool.[4]
Can I use a grooming vacuum on a double coat?
Yes, as a way to collect loose hair while you brush, if your dog is relaxed around the noise. Use the brush or deshedding heads, not the clipper to take the coat short: AKC says shaving a double coat does not stop shedding. See are dog grooming vacuums worth it?[3]