Each dog is a delight in their own way — but good things don’t always come easy. This is particularly true if you have a double coated dog. These beautifully furry companions can come with some high-maintenance grooming needs, including regular bathing.
Are you a double coated dog owner looking at an astronomical grooming bill with a sinking heart? You’re in luck! There are ways to keep your dog clean and healthy without spending a fortune on professional grooming services. Self-service pet wash stations provide an affordable, convenient and effective alternative that doesn’t leave your house in a soapy mess. First, let’s explore some common questions about how to take care of your double coated dog.
How Can You Tell If a Dog Has a Double Coat?
While all dogs are similar in the sense that they’re pack animals that generally enjoy the company of other canines and people, they can vary greatly when it comes to their coats. If you’re the owner of a pet with a double coat, you’re likely to benefit the most from using a pet washing station. You may need to bathe your canine companions more regularly than people who own dogs with a different type of coat.
The easiest way to tell if a dog has a double coat is to consider its breed. Here are some dog breeds that have double coats:
- Akita
- Chow Chow
- Finnish Lapphund
- German Spitz
- Icelandic Sheep Dog
- Keeshond
- Norwegian Elkhound
- Pomeranian
- Siberian Husky
- Herding dogs like Bearded Collies
- Working dogs like Newfoundlands
Can You Trim a Double Coated Dog?
A double coat consists of two layers: an outer layer of longer, coarser hair that protects a dog from the elements, and a shorter, usually softer layer of “under” hair that keeps a dog warm or cool depending on the temperature. Because a double coated dog needs both layers of hair to remain comfortable outdoors, it’s typically ill-advised to shave a dog with this type of coat unless the dog has been neglected and has thick mats throughout its coat.
With that said, it’s often wise to trim a double coated dog, particularly in certain areas. For example, you can trim around your dog’s paws and between her paw pads. Trimming around your pet’s hocks, under her armpitsand around her eyes and rectum is also advisable. If the lines of your dog’s coat are off, you can neaten them up with a quick trim to improve her overall appearance.
Related Post: Why Pets Need Regular Grooming
How Often Should You Bathe a Double Coated Dog?
A thorough bath is a necessary part of any grooming session. In general, you should bathe a double coated dog every one to 12 weeks, depending on your dog’s tolerance for grooming and skin condition as well as the season. If it’s shedding season, you may need to increase the frequency of your dog’s baths to keep the stray hair in your home under control and maintain your dog’s comfort level.
Even if you don’t trim your dog, you’ll still need to brush him often. Like bathing, brushing your dog regularly will help minimize the molted dog hair in your living environment and help prevent uncomfortable mats from developing in your dog’s coat. If you use a high-velocity dryer to dry your pet after his bath, it will help remove any loose hair and lessen the amount of time you’ll spend brushing your pet.
Self-Serve Pet Washes: Good News for Double Coated Dog Owners
If you have a double coated dog and feel overwhelmed by the upkeep and cost of grooming, self-serve pet washes are an ideal solution. Even if your dog needs a bath as often as once a week, pet washes are a highly affordable and convenient way to keep them sparkling clean and smelling great.
All Paws Pet Wash offers stations that are available all day, every day — no need to schedule regular dog washes into your already busy schedule. Simply visit your closest station whenever it works for you. As an added bonus, our pet wash stations allow you to scrub your dog from top to bottom without worrying about leaving your house a mess.
Find your local All Paws Pet Wash location to get started today!