De-shedding

De-shedding is the process of helping a dog release the loose undercoat that would otherwise end up on your sofa — and, if it sits dead in the coat, can felt and hold damp.

It works best on breeds that actually have a seasonal undercoat. A slicker, an undercoat rake used gently, or a salon blow-out can lift a surprising amount of hair without taking the top coat off. Work in the direction of growth, don’t dig at the skin, and stop if the coat starts to feel thin or the skin looks pink.

What de-shedding is not: shaving a double-coated dog down to the skin. That coat is part of how they regulate temperature and protect the skin from sun and irritation. A shaved double coat can grow back patchily, and it does not reliably “keep them cooler”. There is more on this in our summer blowouts page.

Curly and fleece coats don’t shed in the same way; they mat instead. Those dogs need combing, not raking. If you would like help with a heavy shed or a blow-out, bring your dog to our Banbury salon and call us to ask whether a visit is likely to help your particular coat.