Every summer I get the same lovely, well-meaning question: "It is so hot, should I shave the dog to help him cool down?" For most dogs, and especially the fluffy double-coated ones, the honest answer is no, please do not. It feels logical to us because we would strip off in the heat, but a dog's coat does not work like our clothes. On the wrong dog, shaving can actually make them hotter and cause lasting coat damage. Let me explain why, and when clipping down genuinely is fine.
The big myth: shaving keeps a dog cool
It is tempting to think that removing all that fur must cool a dog down. For double-coated breeds, the opposite is often true.
A dog's coat is not just insulation against the cold. It is a two-way temperature system, and shaving it off removes their built-in protection against the heat and the sun. We do not sweat through our skin like they lack the ability to, so a dog relies on that coat working with their body, not against it. Strip it away and you take away a tool they depend on.
How a double coat actually regulates temperature
The dogs this matters most for are the double-coated breeds: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Huskies, Border Collies, Corgis, Pomeranians and the like. A double coat has two layers doing two jobs:
- The topcoat of coarser guard hairs shields the skin from the sun and repels dirt and water.
- The soft undercoat underneath is the clever bit. It traps a layer of air that insulates against cold in winter and against heat in summer, a bit like loft insulation.
When that undercoat is brushed out and kept healthy, air flows through the coat and helps with thermoregulation, keeping the dog cooler than you might expect. Shave it off and you lose that airflow, expose pale skin to sunburn, and often the coat grows back patchy, coarse or a different texture. This is called coat funk or clipper alopecia, and sometimes it never fully recovers.
Groomer's tip: If you can see loose undercoat when you part the fur, your dog does not need shaving. They need de-shedding. Getting that dead undercoat out is what actually cools them down, not taking the whole coat off.
Deshedding: the summer treatment your dog actually needs
Instead of reaching for the clippers, do this. A proper deshedding treatment removes the loose, dead undercoat that traps heat, while leaving the protective coat structure intact. Your dog gets airflow, sun protection and a much lighter feel, all without the risks of shaving.
A professional deshedding groom uses a deep bath, a high-velocity dryer that blasts the dead undercoat right out, and the proper de-shedding tools. On a heavy double coat we routinely pull out several handfuls of fur that was quietly holding in heat. It also means far less moulting around your home. You can see what is involved on our grooming prices and packages page.
When clipping down is actually ok
Shaving is not always wrong. It comes down to coat type:
- Single-coated and curly-coated breeds such as Poodles, Bichons, Shih Tzus, Maltese and many Doodles do not have that insulating undercoat, so a shorter summer trim is completely fine and often sensible.
- Matted coats sometimes have to be clipped short. A solid mat traps heat and moisture against the skin, and clipping it off is far kinder than trying to brush out severe matting.
- On veterinary advice, for a skin condition or after surgery.
For everyone else, keep the coat, keep it brushed, and keep the undercoat cleared out.
Keeping any dog cool in summer
Whatever the coat, the basics matter most: fresh water always available, shade, walks in the cool of early morning or evening, never leaving a dog in a hot car, and knowing the signs of heatstroke (heavy panting, drooling, wobbliness, collapse) so you can act fast and call your vet.
Frequently asked questions
Should you shave a double-coated dog in summer?
No. Shaving a double-coated dog removes the insulating undercoat that helps regulate their temperature and protects their skin from the sun. It can make them hotter and the coat may grow back damaged. Deshedding is the better option.
Does shaving a dog keep it cool?
Usually not for double-coated breeds. Their coat traps air that insulates against heat as well as cold, so removing it takes away natural protection and exposes the skin to sunburn. Removing the loose undercoat by deshedding is what really helps.
Which dogs can be clipped short in summer?
Single and curly-coated breeds like Poodles, Bichons, Shih Tzus and Doodles have no insulating undercoat, so a summer trim is fine. Clipping is also sometimes needed for badly matted coats or on veterinary advice.
What is the best way to keep my dog cool without shaving?
A deshedding treatment to remove dead undercoat, regular brushing, plenty of shade and water, and walks during the cooler parts of the day. These keep your dog comfortable while protecting their coat.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. If summer has your dog moulting everywhere, a deshedding groom will cool them down the safe way. Book a deshedding session.