Do long coats shed more than short coats?

This is a common concern we get when people reach out in regards to our long coat German Shepherds. The answer is simple; No! Long coat German Shepherds shed the same amount as their short coated counter parts. The overall grooming and maintence for the two coat types is very similar. We typically do a deep conditioning and deshedding treatment on all our dogs about once a month. Spring and fall are typically when shedding is the worst, however this is a heavy shedding breed that will have a constant level of shedding. We like to call their shed hair "German Shepherd glitter." 

I heard long coats don't have an undercoat?

According to the breed standard, all German Shepherds should have a harsh outter coat and a shorter soft undercoat. This is very functional for the breed as it aids them in temperature regulation and harsh weather. There are some long coats that do NOT have an undercoat, but this is a disqualifying fault that shouldn't be bred for. Again, the GSD is a working breed and their coat should function as such. Their undercoat helps keep their skin dry and warm in the cold and helps cool them in the summer. Lacking a proper undercoat is a major fault.

Can I shave my German Shepherd?

No! Any double coated breed should NEVER be shaved (with the exception of severe matting). Shaving a double coated dog can severly damage the coat and cause a whole host of issues. Firstly, you are removing your dog's ability to regulate their temperature properly, exposing them to potential sunburn, and removing their protection against extreeme weather. Even though they seem hot with all that fur in the summer, shaving is not an acceptable answer for cooling your dog. They should have access to water, shade, and ideally AC during the hot months of the year.

 Shaving a double coated dog also prevents the hair from growing back properly. When you shave them, you disrupt the natural growth cycle of your GSD's coat. This makes it almost impossible for it to fully grow back. It can cause a thicker undercoat and thinner outter coat which creates an uneven appearence. This also makes it harder for the coat to function properly when the correct balance is disrupted. Contary to what you may think, shaving your double coated dog can cause their shedding to worsen!

How do I maintain a double coat?

Regular brushing is vital to maintaining double coated dogs. Any time you notice a knot or snag in your dog's coat, you should make sure you brush it loose. This will help prevent the area from turning into a mat. Furthermore, it is important to regularly brush your dog to remove dead loose hair and trapped undercoat. If you are unwilling to frequently brush your dog, a double coated breed isn't for you!

We have created a set routein to help keep all our dogs' coats soft, shiny, and smooth!

When we bathe our dogs, we always make sure to dry them as much as possible. Immediatly after their bath, they are towel dried. Once the towel has soaked up most of the dripping water, we blow dry our dogs with a velocity drier (same thing groomers use). You want to ensure your dog is dry down to the skin. While the undercoat typically keeps moisture out, after a bath, it will also hold moisture in. This can lead to skin irritation and a foul smell. Using a regular hair dryer will work, but takes significantly longer to cut through all the coat. We highly reccomend using a velocity dryer as it not only quickly dries your dog, but also helps blow loose undercoat out which lessens the amount you need to brush!

When bathing our dogs, we use a deshedding shampoo and follow up with a deshedding conditioner. This helps loosen tangles and remove dead undercoat from your dog. The conditioner will aid in adding moisture that may have been stripped from the hair folicles and keeping the skin soft and supple. We allow our dogs to soak in conditoner for a minimum of 15 minutes. 

The primary brush we use when grooming our dogs is a long hard bristled slicker brush. This helps detangle the coat and takes loose hair out of the coat. It is gentle on the guard hairs in comparison to other types of brushes. We love using our slicker brush and the dogs enjoy it as well! During shedding seasons, we will also use an undercoat rake. This helps hook loose undercoat to free it from becoming trapped. It is nessisary to make sure your dog is able to properly shed out their old coat to allow for proper growth of the new hair.

Overall, the grooming requirements aren't difficult to maintain. However, they do take time, commitment, and consistency! It is important to make sure your dog's coat is healthy as it directly impacts the overall health and comfort of your dog!