Shaving dogs in summer: Which coats can go short and which can't

You shouldn't shave a dog with a double coat like a Golden Retriever, Husky or Spitz in the summer. Their undercoat, the soft layer of hair right next to the skin, also insulates against the heat. Poodles, Doodles, Bichons, Malteses and Yorkies, on the other hand, can be cut shorter. Here at GroomRoom in Charlottenburg, Giesebrechtstraße 2, 10629 Berlin, we brush out loose undercoat or give curly coats a short summer cut from Tuesday to Saturday. A Full Groom starts at 79 €.

Why shouldn't you shave a dog with a double coat in the summer?

A double coat protects your dog in the heat, and shaving takes away exactly this protection. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the undercoat keeps the dog warm in winter and cool in summer. In the summer, the dog loses part of this layer. The rest traps air between the two layers of coat, helping to regulate their body temperature.

The topcoat, also known as guard hair, consists of the longer hairs that give the dog its colour. This outer layer protects the dog from sunburn and insect bites. Shaving the coat down to the skin removes the insulating layer, according to the AKC. This makes the dog more prone to heatstroke and increases the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.

Shaving can also cause long-term damage. The undercoat grows back faster than the topcoat afterwards and sometimes crowds it out. Then the texture and colour of the coat can change, and it looks patchy.

Which dogs have a double coat?

Many breeds have a double coat, with fur similar to their close ancestor, the wolf. The AKC lists the Golden Retriever, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Siberian Husky and English Springer Spaniel as examples. Double coats can be short like the Labrador's, medium-length like the Golden Retriever's, and long like the Newfoundland's. The Pomeranian and Samoyed belong to the Arctic type, while the Wirehaired Dachshund belongs to the wiry type.

Here at our salon, the Spitz, Pomeranian, Husky and Golden Retriever are among the breeds we generally never shave. We describe how we handle the thick wool of Nordic dogs in our article on Husky undercoats. We groom wiry breeds like the Wirehaired Dachshund or Miniature Schnauzer with hand stripping. According to the AKC, shaving can cut the hard wire hair in such a way that it never fully returns to its natural texture.

Which dogs can be cut short in summer?

Dogs without an undercoat can be cut shorter in summer, as long as enough hair is left on the skin. The AKC lists Poodles, Malteses, Greyhounds, Boxers, Dalmatians and Afghan Hounds as dogs with a single coat. Some of these dogs benefit from a dog groomer occasionally trimming their coat. This prevents matting and keeps them cooler.

Even for these dogs, the AKC advises against shaving right down to the skin. You should leave at least an inch of hair. This length protects against sunburn, skin cancer and insect bites, as they lack an insulating undercoat.

At GroomRoom, we only offer clipping for breeds whose coats allow it. These include Poodles, Doodles, Bichons, Malteses and Yorkshire Terriers. For Poodles and Doodles, the Teddy-Cut can be a bit shorter in summer. We recommend an appointment every 6 to 8 weeks for these breeds, as their coat grows continuously.

How do dogs cool down in the heat?

A dog cools down primarily by panting, which is why clipping provides little relief according to the AKC. In addition, their blood vessels dilate, especially on the ears and face. This brings warm blood closer to the skin's surface.

Dogs only have sweat glands that work similarly to humans on their paw pads. They become active when the dog is hot. That's why it helps to trim excess hair on the paws so the sweat can evaporate. Very long hair on the legs and belly can also be trimmed according to the AKC. You can also book paw trimming with us as a standalone service from 18 €.

Deshedding instead of clipping: how we work in the salon

For breeds with a double coat, we remove the dead undercoat in summer, while the top coat keeps its length. According to the AKC, regular brushing removes dead hair, prevents matting and improves air circulation in the coat. According to groomer Dale Martins, double coats in warm climates can shed up to four times a year or even constantly.

Here's how a Full Groom for a dog with a double coat works at our salon:

1. We check the coat and skin and give you a binding final price before the appointment.
2. We bathe your dog with pH-neutral natural products from LT or Ecopets, tailored to their coat type and skin condition.
3. Using a slicker brush and comb, we loosen the dead hair from the undercoat.
4. We carefully work out knots step by step and never pull on matted areas.
5. Finally, we take care of the nails, eyes, paws, ears and sanitary area.

Large dogs like Golden Retrievers or Huskies don't need to be lifted for this. Our grooming tables are height-adjustable: the table is lowered, the dog steps on, and is then raised to working height.

When does clipping make sense despite a double coat?

Clipping a double coat is only an option if the fur is so matted that the skin underneath can no longer dry. That's according to Dale Martins, who has been grooming double-coated dogs for over 40 years. In damp weather and without weekly brushing, a dense, compacted undercoat can trap moisture against the skin.

For Spitz, Pomeranian, Husky and Golden Retriever breeds, our rule is: we don't clip, we demat by hand. Minor tangles are included in the price. For heavily matted fur, we charge 15 € per 15 minutes started. If the skin under the matting is red, sore or broken, your dog needs to see a vet first. You can find out what you can do yourself about tangles in our article Matted dog: what to do.

Brush your dog every week in summer

According to the AKC, you should brush a double coat at least once a week, first with a slicker brush and then with a comb. A slicker brush has fine, curved wire bristles. Brush the hair and not the skin, just like you brush your own hair. Matting is especially annoying in summer because it traps moisture from the air and irritates the skin. For Pomeranians and Spitzes, we even recommend brushing at home several times a week.

You don't need to bathe your dog every day in summer. According to the AKC, a bath every few weeks or once a month is enough, as frequent washing dries out the skin and coat. Use cool or lukewarm water and rinse the shampoo out thoroughly. Also, give your dog shade and fresh water. It's best to go for long walks during the coolest hours of the day. Never leave them alone in the car, not even for a few minutes.

How much does summer grooming cost at GroomRoom?

A Full Groom with bathing, blow-drying, brushing and a breed-standard cut or clip starts at 79 €. Depending on the size, it takes 60 to 180 minutes. According to our booking catalogue, we schedule 60 minutes for up to 2 kg, 120 minutes for up to 15 kg and 150 minutes for up to 18 kg. Larger dogs need 180 minutes, and their Full Groom starts at 209 €.

The Mini Groom from 59 € includes washing, drying, combing and light thinning, which means thinning out the coat with thinning scissors. We hand strip wire-haired dogs for 70 € per hour. You can find all packages and surcharges on our prices page. We are here for you from Tuesday to Saturday, and the U7 Adenauerplatz is a 5-minute walk away. Book an appointment online

Case studies from the salon

Real appointments from GroomRoom, prices as charged (as of September 2026). The final price depends on the coat condition and will be confirmed before we start.

Pomeranian

Before

Pomeranian after six months without a salon visit, undercoat matted in places.

Treatment

Full Grooming with dematting and Pomeranian surcharge: brushing out the undercoat, bath, blow-dry, styling without clippers.

Duration

2.5 hours

Price

165 to 180 €

Groomer

Team GroomRoom

Example image

Golden Retriever

Before

Very anxious Golden Retriever, first salon visit, lots of loose undercoat.

Treatment

Full groom with breaks and a second person: bath, long blow-dry with deshedding of the undercoat, paws, nails, ears; no clipping of the double coat.

Duration

around 3 hours

Price

209 to 240 €

Groomer

Team GroomRoom