Reviewed by Natural Farm Pet Team · Updated June 2025
No, you should not shave a double-coated dog in summer. Double coats naturally regulate temperature — the undercoat insulates against heat and cold, while the guard layer protects from sunburn, insects, and skin damage. Single-coated breeds can be trimmed, but never shorter than one inch. Below, we break down which coat type your dog has and how to keep them cool safely.
📖 In This Article:
Single Coat vs. Double Coat: Why It Matters
To trim or not to trim: that is the question. For a lot of us, summertime brings with it an abundance of sweltering temperatures. People often like to beat the heat by cutting their hair shorter in the warmer months which provides us with some sweet relief. While we often assume that cutting our dogs' fur would yield a similar result, is that necessarily the case?
Determining whether you should cut or shave your dog's fur largely depends on their breed and if they have a single or a double coat. Double coats indicate two separate fur layers, with a shorter, denser layer of fur on the interior and a longer, protective layer on the exterior, also known as the "guard layer." Double coats naturally provide temperature regulating properties to dogs, and thus you should avoid shaving double-coated breeds.
Some common double-coated dog breeds include Siberian Huskies, all collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Samoyeds, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers, but a simple google search should help you determine your pup's coat type if you are uncertain.
Can You Trim a Single-Coated Dog?
Single-coated breeds only have a single layer of hair, like humans, and therefore you can trim or shave those types of dogs, but you should always be wary not to trim their fur too short: the golden rule is to not trim or shave your dog's fur shorter than an inch in length. This is because fur provides all dogs with protection from the sun (think sunburn and heatstroke), insects, and skin infections, among other things.
⚡ Quick Rule: Double coat = never shave. Single coat = trim is okay, but keep it 1 inch or longer.
How a Double Coat Keeps Your Dog Cool
The inner layer of a double coat, the "undercoat," has natural insulating properties which works to keep your pup cooler in the summer months and warmer in the winter months. The inner layer, being denser, shorter, and softer, is usually thickest in the cooler months, providing more heat.
In the spring and summer, however, double-coated dogs often shed a lot of the inner layer of their fur, and this reduced inner layer allows for more air to penetrate the fur, trapping the air against the skin and cooling your pup down that way. Refer to the below infographic created by Brook Wilkins for a visual idea of what I am referring to:
🔑 Think of It This Way: A double coat works like insulation in your house — it keeps cool air in during summer and warm air in during winter. Removing it makes things worse, not better.
How To Help Your Dog's Coat in Summer
As owners, we can assist our dogs in getting their coats to the ideal state in the spring and summer by bathing and brushing them regularly. There are a few different varieties of brushes on the market that are designed specifically for double-coated dogs that can assist in producing ideal coats. This is important because dogs do not have the same temperature regulating mechanisms that humans do.
How Dogs Regulate Body Temperature
Aside from their fur providing some cooling properties, dogs "sweat" through their paw pads and pant to cool themselves down, and their ears and noses also provide them with some heat regulation through a process known as vasodilation. Vasodilation works to dilate blood vessels and distributes heat that way.
Support your dog's coat from the inside out
A healthy coat starts with the right nutrition — not a trip to the groomer.
Collagen sticks are packed with natural protein that promotes healthy skin, strong joints, and a shiny coat — making them the perfect daily chew for any breed.
Shop Collagen Sticks →What Happens If You Shave a Double Coat?
Shaving your dog's double coat can also ruin the look of their coats, at least temporarily. When you shave a double coat, the inner, denser layer is often the first to grow back, and it may do so in patches instead of evenly. Therefore, your pooch can end up with some unsightly tufts of fur, and not only that, but the quality, color, and consistency of their coat may be impacted negatively.
Another interesting fact is that dogs' double coats shed water, providing them some natural waterproofing, which is pretty cool! This further supports the argument that you shouldn't shave a double coat.
⚠️ Warning: Shaving a double coat can permanently damage its texture and color. The undercoat grows back first — often patchy and uneven — and the original coat quality may never fully return.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are, of course, exceptions to shaving or trimming double-coated breeds:
Skin Conditions
When a medical issue needs direct access to the skin
Surgery Prep
When the vet needs the fur cut down for a procedure
Severe Matting
When the fur is too tangled to be brushed out safely
More Ways To Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer
If you're looking for other ways to keep your pup cool in the summer, check out our guide on how to keep your dog properly hydrated. You can also create some frozen treat recipes for your pup to enjoy, such as the pupsicles outlined in our summer recipes for dogs post.
Another great way to keep your dog comfortable and mentally stimulated during hot summer days when outdoor time is limited is with a long-lasting, all-natural chew. Collagen sticks are a great option — they keep dogs occupied for extended chew sessions while supporting skin and coat health from the inside out. For dogs who need something tougher, odor-free bully sticks provide hours of healthy entertainment indoors.
Does Coat Type Affect Which Dog Breed Is Right for You?
Lastly, a dog's coat type can help you figure out what the best dog breed is for you to own! Are you allergic to pet dander? Single-coated dog breeds are more likely to be hypoallergenic because they typically do not shed as much as double-coated breeds do (although this isn't always the case, so be sure to do your research first). You may refer to our guide on choosing the best dog breed for you for more great methods to determine which dog breed is best suited to you.
Overall, while you may feel compelled to shave or trim your dog's fur this summer, this article will hopefully offer some insight in deciding what the best option is for your pup based on their particular needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I shave my dog in the summer to keep them cool?
Not if your dog has a double coat. Double-coated breeds like Huskies, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds have a built-in temperature regulation system. The undercoat insulates against both heat and cold, while the guard coat protects against sunburn and UV damage. Shaving removes this system entirely and can actually make your dog hotter, not cooler.
How do I know if my dog is single-coated or double-coated?
Part your dog's fur down to the skin. If you see a dense, fluffy layer underneath the longer outer hair, your dog is double-coated. If there's only one uniform layer of hair, they're single-coated. Common double-coated breeds include Collies, Samoyeds, Australian Shepherds, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. Common single-coated breeds include Poodles, Yorkies, Malteses, and Wheaten Terriers.
Does a dog's fur grow back normally after shaving?
For single-coated dogs, yes — their fur typically grows back evenly. For double-coated dogs, shaving can permanently alter their coat texture. The dense undercoat often grows back first and unevenly, resulting in patchy, rough fur. The original coat quality, color, and texture may never fully return to their pre-shave state.
What's the shortest I can trim my dog's fur?
The general rule is never shorter than one inch. Even for single-coated breeds that can be safely trimmed, leaving at least an inch of fur protects your dog from sunburn, insect bites, skin irritation, and heatstroke. Always consult your groomer or veterinarian before making a decision, especially during peak summer months.
How can I keep my double-coated dog cool without shaving?
Regular brushing is the best approach — it removes loose undercoat and allows air to circulate against the skin. Bathe them regularly, provide plenty of fresh water, limit outdoor exercise to cooler hours (early morning and evening), and offer frozen treats or long-lasting chews to keep them calm and comfortable indoors during the hottest parts of the day.
About Natural Farm
Want to see what goes into making our treats? Watch how Natural Farm brings premium, all-natural dog chews from farm to your front door:
In 2018, after years of searching for high-quality natural dog treats and coming up short, we decided to make them ourselves. Natural Farm was born out of a simple idea: dog chews, treats, and bones should be sustainably sourced, produced in human-grade FDA- and USDA-approved facilities, and lab tested for quality. No exceptions.
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