Guide · Brushes and deshedding
How to manage seasonal shedding
When dogs blow their coat, why indoor dogs shed all year, a brushing plan for shedding season, why baths and shaving won't help, and when shedding needs a vet.
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Short answer
Brush more often, not harder. Many dogs "blow their coat" in spring and fall, and AAHA recommends daily brushing for heavy shedders.[1] AKC's breed pages move many double-coated breeds from weekly to daily brushing while the shed lasts. Brush to the skin with a slicker, follow with a rake or deshedding tool, and keep sessions short. Shaving and extra baths will not help, and bald patches, irritated skin or a sudden surge in shedding need a vet.
When dogs shed most
Spring and fall, for many dogs. AAHA says many dogs and cats blow their coat in spring and fall.[1] VCA adds that most dogs and cats shed more, not less, in the fall.[2]
Climate changes the pattern. AKC says a double-coated dog in a colder place may shed its undercoat only in spring and fall, but could shed four times a year, or all the time, where it is warmer.[3]
Indoor dogs can shed all year. AAHA says pets that live indoors may shed more consistently year-round because of artificial lighting and stable temperatures.[1]
Breed matters. Some AKC breed pages are specific:
| Breed | When AKC says it sheds most |
|---|---|
| Golden Retriever | Heavily once or twice a year, moderately the rest of the time[4] |
| Siberian Husky | The undercoat sheds twice a year[5] |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Heaviest in late spring and early summer[6] |
| Beagle | The coat gets heavier in winter, so spring is shedding season; moderate shedding all year[7] |
| Rottweiler | More twice a year, usually spring and fall[8] |
| German Shepherd Dog | More profusely once or twice a year[9] |
AAHA names collies and Siberian huskies as heavy shedders with thick undercoats. Dogs with continuously growing hair, such as poodles and shih tzus, have a hair cycle dominated by the growth (anagen) phase, so they shed less but need regular grooming instead.[1]
For your own dog's shedding pattern and brushing advice, see the double-coated breed pages.
| Breed | Shedding (AKC, 1-5) | Seasonal shedding | Brushing (AKC guidance) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Retriever | 4 of 5 | Heavy once or twice a year; moderate all year | Slicker brush once or twice a week; daily in heavy shedding |
| Labrador Retriever | 4 of 5 | Spring and fall in colder places; more often where it's warmer | Weekly, per AKC's double-coat guide |
| German Shepherd Dog | 4 of 5 | Heavier once or twice a year | A quick brushing every few days; more during heavy shedding |
| Siberian Husky | 4 of 5 | Undercoat sheds twice a year | Weekly; rake out the shedding undercoat with a pin brush and metal comb |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 4 of 5 | Every day, and more in late spring and early summer | Daily once-over with a comb and slicker brush; a rake in shedding season |
| Australian Shepherd | 3 of 5 | A shedding season, with no months given | Weekly; in shedding season an undercoat rake every two or three days, then a wire brush |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 5 of 5 | Twice a year; a fair amount the rest of the time | Weekly; daily in shedding season; slicker or metal comb for tangles |
| Border Collie | 3 of 5 | Seasonal shedding is normal (breed standard); no months given | Pin brush once or twice a week; daily in shedding season |
| Shetland Sheepdog | 3 of 5 | Sheds considerably; more brushing in shedding season | Weekly; more often in shedding season |
| Pomeranian | 2 of 5 | Heavy at seasonal changes | Once a week with a pin brush and a slicker, down to the skin |
A shedding-season plan
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before the shed | Keep up regular brushing so the dog is used to every tool, and check the coat is free of tangles. |
| As the shed starts | Brush more often. AKC breed pages call for daily brushing during heavy shedding for the Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog and Border Collie, and an undercoat rake every two or three days for the Australian Shepherd.[4][10][11][12] |
| At the peak | Keep sessions short and frequent rather than long and occasional. |
| After the shed | Return to the usual routine. AKC says brushing may be weekly or a few times a week outside heavy shedding.[13] |
Each session during a blow
- Slicker first, 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.[1] Working in thin layers is called line brushing.
- Then an undercoat tool. AKC says a coat rake or de-shedding tool can remove large amounts of loose undercoat.[14] Pull it along the coat in the direction of hair growth.[13]
- Stay within the tool's limits. FURminator, for example, says to use its deshedding tool 1 to 2 times a week for 10 to 20 minutes, more often in heavy shedding seasons, and not on non-shedding breeds or pets with particularly sensitive skin.[15] Undercoat rake vs deshedding tool compares the two.
- Comb to check. A metal comb should slide through to the skin.
- Keep it short. AAHA says even 5 to 10 minutes, two or three times a week, can significantly reduce loose hair; during a heavy shed, those short sessions simply come more often.[1]
- Contain the hair. Groom outdoors, or collect hair as you go with a grooming vacuum if your dog is relaxed around the noise; see are dog grooming vacuums worth it?
We do not list an undercoat rake or deshedding tool yet, because none we found met our bar. The rake guide explains what to check on a listing.
Baths and drying during a shed
Bathing is not the main fix. AAHA says regular brushing is more effective than bathing for long-term shedding control, and that bathing too often can dry or irritate the skin.[1]
If you do bathe, dry the coat completely before brushing, as AKC's Golden Retriever page advises.[4] AKC recommends a dryer designed for dogs, warns that heat might burn the skin, and explains that a high-velocity dryer works by blowing water out of the coat, so the airflow does the drying.[16]
What will not help
- Shaving. AKC says shaving a double coat does not eliminate shedding and damages the topcoat.[3] See should you shave a double-coated dog?
- Brushing harder. Extra pressure risks scraping the skin. One slicker maker's directions say not to apply pressure to the skin and to let the brush do the work.[17]
- Long sessions that need the dog held still. AVSAB, the veterinary behavior society, warns that forcing a pet through a handling routine is very stressful and can easily make things much worse, and recommends rewarding calm tolerance in small steps.[18]
Next
Questions
When do dogs blow their coat?
Many dogs blow their coat in spring and fall, according to AAHA. Climate shifts the pattern: AKC says a double-coated dog in a cold place may shed its undercoat only in spring and fall, but could shed four times a year or all the time where it is warmer.[1][3]
How long does a coat blow last?
It varies by dog and climate, and the sources we rely on don't give a fixed length; AKC notes that in warmer places some double-coated dogs shed all the time. Brush more often for as long as the heavy shedding lasts, then return to your usual routine.[3]
Why does my indoor dog shed all year?
AAHA says pets that live indoors may shed more consistently year-round because of artificial lighting and stable temperatures.[1]
Will bathing my dog speed up shedding season?
Don't count on it. AAHA says regular brushing is more effective than bathing for long-term shedding control, and that bathing too often can dry or irritate the skin. If you do bathe, dry the coat fully before brushing.[1][4]
How do I know if my dog is shedding too much?
Watch for bald spots or thinning fur, patchy hair loss, red, irritated or crusted skin, or a sudden dramatic increase in shedding. AAHA says to contact a veterinarian if you see any of these.[1][14]
Should I shave my dog to get through shedding season?
No. AKC says shaving a double-coated dog doesn't eliminate shedding and damages the topcoat. See should you shave a double-coated dog?[3]