The Scoop on Why Dogs Shed Their Coats and the Importance of Baths and Blowouts

Dogs shed because hair grows in a cycle, and old hair falls out to make room for new growth, with the heaviest shedding in spring and fall when your dog swaps a seasonal coat. How much a dog sheds depends on breed, coat type, health, diet, and stress. The fastest way to get loose hair out of the coat and off your furniture is a warm bath followed by a high-velocity blowout, which lifts the dead undercoat that brushing alone leaves behind. At The Bark Spot in Layton and Logan, Utah, our groomers handle shedding season for you with a proper bath, blowout, and de-shedding treatment, and our regular bath memberships keep it under control all year.

Why do dogs shed their coats?

Dogs shed to cycle out old or damaged hair and grow a fresh coat, and it is a normal, healthy process rather than a problem to fix. Every hair moves through a cycle of growth, rest, and release, so some shedding happens year round. The big shifts come in spring and fall, when a change in daylight and temperature tells your dog to trade one coat for the next.

• Breed and coat type: double-coated breeds like Huskies, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds shed the most, while single-coated breeds shed less.
• Temperature and season: your dog drops a heavy winter coat in spring and grows a lighter summer one, then reverses it in fall.
• Health and nutrition: a balanced diet with healthy fats supports a stronger coat, while poor nutrition or illness can cause dull hair and heavier shedding.
• Stress and anxiety: a move, a new pet, or a stressful event can trigger a short burst of extra shedding that usually settles on its own.

What does “blowing coat” mean?

“Blowing coat” is the term groomers use when a dog releases a large amount of undercoat at once, usually as the seasons change. Double-coated breeds do this most dramatically, dropping thick clumps of soft underfur over a few weeks in spring and fall. During this stretch you will see far more hair than usual, and brushing alone often cannot keep up. This is the point in the year when a professional bath and blowout makes the biggest difference, because it clears the loose undercoat in one session instead of leaving it to fall out around your home.

Which dogs shed the most?

Double-coated and heavy-shedding breeds lose the most hair, while curly and low-shedding coats hold onto it. Knowing where your dog falls helps you plan how often to bathe, brush, and book grooming.

• Heavy shedders: Huskies, Malamutes, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German Shepherds, and other double-coated breeds blow coat seasonally.
• Moderate shedders: many mixed breeds and short-coated dogs shed steadily year round without dramatic seasonal blows.
• Low shedders: Poodles, Doodles, and other curly-coated dogs shed very little, but the hair they lose gets trapped in the coat and mats if it is not brushed out.

How can you reduce your dog’s shedding at home?

You cannot stop a dog from shedding, but a simple routine keeps loose hair off your floors and your dog more comfortable. A little consistency between grooming visits goes a long way.

1. Brush regularly. brush several times a week with a tool made for your dog’s coat, and daily during heavy shedding, to pull loose hair before it lands on the couch.
2. Bathe on a schedule. a warm bath loosens dead hair and washes away dander, so more of it rinses down the drain instead of ending up on your clothes.
3. Feed a quality diet. food rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids supports a healthier coat and can reduce excess shedding over time.
4. Keep water available. good hydration supports skin and coat health, which helps hair stay in longer instead of breaking and falling out.
5. Book a de-shedding groom. when your dog blows coat, a professional bath and blowout clears the undercoat far more thoroughly than home brushing alone.

Why do baths and blowouts matter so much for shedding?

A bath and blowout is the single most effective way to manage a shedding coat, because it removes the dead undercoat that brushing leaves behind. The bath loosens the hair and cleans the skin, and the high-velocity dryer then pushes the loose undercoat out and away from the body. The result is less hair in your home, a cleaner and healthier coat, and a more comfortable dog.

• Hygiene: a bath washes out dirt, dander, and odor that build up in a shedding coat.
• Skin health: clean skin is less prone to irritation, itching, and the hot spots that trapped hair and debris can cause.
• Allergen control: removing loose hair and dander lowers the allergens floating around your home.
• Coat maintenance: a blowout lifts the dead undercoat and helps prevent the matting that traps shed hair against the skin.

How often should a shedding dog be bathed and groomed?

Most dogs do well with a bath every 4 to 6 weeks, and more often during a heavy shed. Double-coated breeds especially benefit from a professional blowout at the start of spring and fall, when they blow coat. Between visits, regular brushing keeps loose hair in check. Our full-service grooming team can look at your dog’s coat and recommend a schedule that fits, so you are never guessing.

Every dog is different, so if your dog is shedding far more than usual, has bald patches, or shows red or irritated skin, check in with your veterinarian first, since heavy shedding can sometimes point to a health issue rather than the season.

Next step: Next step: let us take shedding season off your hands. Book a bath and blowout at our Layton or Logan location, and ask about our VIPup Club membership for regular baths and brushing that keep loose hair under control all year.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my dog shedding so much all of a sudden?

Sudden heavy shedding is usually seasonal, since dogs blow their undercoat in spring and fall as the weather changes. Stress, diet changes, or a new environment can also trigger a short burst. If it comes with bald patches, itching, or irritated skin, ask your veterinarian, since it can signal a health issue.

What does it mean when a dog is blowing coat?

Blowing coat is when a dog releases a large amount of undercoat at once, usually during the spring and fall seasonal change. Double-coated breeds like Huskies and Golden Retrievers do this most, dropping thick clumps of soft underfur over a few weeks. A professional bath and blowout clears it far faster than brushing alone.

Do baths really help with shedding?

Yes. A warm bath loosens dead hair and dander so it rinses away, and a high-velocity blowout afterward pushes the loose undercoat out of the coat. Together they remove far more hair in one session than home brushing, which means less shedding around your home.

How often should I bathe my dog to control shedding?

Most dogs do well with a bath every 4 to 6 weeks, and more often when they are blowing coat. Double-coated breeds especially benefit from a professional blowout at the start of spring and fall. Regular brushing between baths keeps loose hair from building up.