Northern dog breeds like huskies, malamutes, and Newfoundlands love winter weather, so you might think about shaving them when summer hits. While a haircut is perfect for some breeds, shaving most northern dogs is a serious grooming mistake that can permanently alter their coat. Below is more information about why shaving one of these pups is never a sound idea.

Why You Shouldn’t Shave Your Northern Dog

The Double Coat

Dogs bred for cold weather, including golden retrievers, Bernese mountain dogs, and huskies, have a double coat that provides insulation and sun protection. The bottom layer, which is fluffy and downy, insulates your furry friend from extreme temperatures. The longer hairs—called the guard layer—are on top and keep snow and ice off your furry friend, and shield them from harsh summer sunlight.

The Differences Between Double & Single Coats

Most dogs shed their hair when they reach a certain length, but double-coated dogs hang onto their guard hairs. Instead, they usually lose the soft inner layer at the beginning of summer, leaving behind the guard hairs.

What Happens if You Shave a Double-Coated Dog?

Shaving a double-coated dog can make them hotter in the summer, and leave them vulnerable to sun damage. Because the undercoat grows back first, cool air can’t circulate across the skin, which makes your pup hotter and more uncomfortable in the heat. Most double-coated breeds also have sensitive, pink skin that’s susceptible to sunburns and rashes without their protective coat.

After shaving, your dog’s coat may never regrow correctly. Most grooming professionals note that the guard hairs tend to grow back with a thicker, more coarse texture that collects twigs, stickers, and burrs. It’ll also tangle more frequently, sometimes matting up faster than you can brush it out.

Whether you have huskies or a water-loving Newfoundland, Joe, Carol, and Peggy at Robinwood Kennel in Highland Heights, KY, can keep their coat clean, healthy, and beautiful. For almost 50 years, they’ve been providing expert grooming services to dogs of every breed. Learn more about their grooming services online. To make an appointment at their facility, which is minutes from Northern Kentucky University and 15 minutes from Downtown Cincinnati, call (859) 781-2352.