Sled Dog and Double Coated Breeds

Specialist groomers for your Sled Dog or Double Coated breeds.

DogzBody Spa is proud to be the only sled dog/double coated specialist in the North West - and one of the very few in the whole of the UK.

Professional grooming is essential to keep your dog’s double coat in the best possible condition. Here’s what you can expect from the experts at DogzBody Spa.

What is a Double Coat?

Most canine coat types can be divided into the following two categories: Hair and Fur. Hair (much like in humans) will continue growing until it is cut. You will find this in breeds that need regular styling such as Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Poodles etc. Fur, on the other hand, grows to a finite length and then stops. Fur is often referred to as a double coat and is designed to be left completely natural, not styled.

A double coat is most often found on sled dogs and some working dogs, as well as some smaller breeds. It’s designed to protect them from the elements.

There are 2 layers: The shiny outer coat (guard hairs) which reflects the sun and repels snow/rain; and the soft, cotton wool undercoat which traps air and acts as an insulator during colder temperatures.

The undercoat sheds continually throughout the year, with bigger bursts of shedding as the seasons and temperatures change. The outer coat sheds much less and grows back much more slowly.

Careful and particular maintenance of this type of coat is required not only to keep your dog looking their best, but there are several health benefits as well.

Why do I need a specialist groomer for my double coated dog?

A double coat, if left unattended, can quickly and easily become matted. This is due to the way the two layers shed at different rates. A compacted coat can cause discomfort for your dog, as well as skin conditions.

What makes DogzBody Spa different?

Fran, the founder of the salon, started her career owning and showing her stunning Samoyed Leo. Through many years of experience and specialist training, she now has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this area of grooming. And, because she has been owned by a Samoyed, Husky and Malamute, she is well aware of the quirkiness and behavioural differences between these breeds.

The salon, although open to ANY breed of dog, has been designed with the following things in mind:

Separate secure spaces so dogs do not have to interact
Large baths that can be lowered and raised so are accessible to larger breeds
Fully enclosed and covered outside space
Staggered appointments to prevent crossovers
High quality deshedding shampoos and other products
Correct deshedding tools and brushes
Experienced in sled dog behaviour and body language

It is a very messy job to deshed a sled breed, and not many homes have an appropriate bathing or drying area for such a task… DogzBody Spa solves this problem!

Why you should NEVER shave double coated dogs

It creates possible skin problems. Your dog could develop razor burn, hot spots, and/or irritated skin due to excessive licking and scratching following their groom, especially if compaction has been released.

It damages the condition of the topcoat and the cycle of the hair, making the shedding times unpredictable and in some cases, never-ending. The topcoat can take up to two years to fully grow back. Severe cases lead to alopecia, which means that the topcoat may not grow back to normal length or it may not grow back at all in some spots, causing patches. The topcoat regulates the undercoat and keeps it in good condition. They work together. Damage to the topcoat causes damage to the whole coat and often this can take a long time (and expense and effort) to rectify - if it can be rectified at all.

It alters their ability to regulate their body temperature. If your dog has a well groomed coat, with no excess undercoat, this will keep your dog warm in the winter by providing insulation and the waterproof topcoat will keep the dog’s skin dry. In the summer, it provides a sort of air conditioning system. Removing loose undercoat allows air to get to the skin making them much cooler, while keeping the top coat prevents heat/sun from reaching the skin. A build up of dead undercoat can cause overheating, as the warm air trapped against the skin is unable to escape.

It does not make dogs shed less. Shaving can seem to help shedding but it is just a temporary fix. The dog still sheds - they are just shorter hairs that can be far sharper, scratchier and more annoying than longer shedding hairs.

If your dog likes spending lots of time outdoors (or if they are elderly), it may be an idea to take the hair on the belly and hygiene area a little shorter. This will keep your dog cooler when lying on cold surfaces. It may also reduce chances of matting/compaction in that area. In older dogs, or those with mobility issues/joint pain, we will happily trim long hair underneath the feet to reduce chances of slipping when walking on laminate or other smooth surfaces. Neutering can cause the double coat to overgrow its intended length, so a minimal scissor tidy of the back end, feet and feathers can help to keep the coat in good shape and won’t damage the function of the two layers.

Your dog becomes susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer. Shaved skin is exposed to sun rays and too much sun exposure can be very harmful. Precautions such as clothing and/or sunscreen must be taken to protect their skin.

A well-maintained and healthy double coat will protect your dog, and ensure they feel (and look) fantastic!