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A good deshedding brush removes loose undercoat hair before it ends up on your sofa, clothes, and in your morning coffee. Regular deshedding can reduce loose fur in your home by up to 90%, keep your dog comfortable, and prevent skin problems like hot spots.
If you've ever vacuumed the living room only to find tumbleweeds of fur rolling across the floor an hour later, you're not alone. Shedding is a natural, healthy sign that your dog's coat is doing its job. But there's a difference between accepting some fur and drowning in it.
This guide covers everything UK dog owners need to know about deshedding: why it happens, the best tools to manage it at home, and when to book a Professional Dog Groomer for a deep deshed treatment.
Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general information for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog is experiencing unusual hair loss, skin problems, or any symptoms that concern you, please consult a qualified veterinarian.
Dog hair doesn't just fall out randomly. It follows a four-stage growth cycle that's been well documented in veterinary research.[1]
Here's where it gets interesting for UK dog owners. The timing and intensity of shedding is primarily controlled by changes in daylight hours—a process called photoperiodism—rather than temperature alone.[2]
When the clocks go back at the end of British Summer Time, your dog's body registers the shorter days and starts preparing a thicker winter coat. Come spring, longer daylight hours trigger the opposite: the winter undercoat loosens and sheds to make way for a lighter summer coat.
Double-coated breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, and Huskies go through something called "coat blowing"—a massive shed that happens twice yearly. During these periods, you'll see tufts of soft, downy undercoat poking through the topcoat, and the fur just keeps coming.
If your dog lives mainly indoors, you've probably noticed they seem to shed constantly rather than in seasonal bursts. That's because central heating and artificial lighting disrupt the natural photoperiod cycle.[3]
Indoor dogs experience something like permanent summer lighting conditions, which causes them to shed more moderately all year round instead of having two distinct shedding seasons. This is completely normal and not a health concern—but it does mean you'll need a year-round deshedding routine.
Not all brushing is the same, and this is where many dog owners get confused. A regular brush and a deshedding tool do completely different jobs.
A slicker brush or bristle brush works on the surface level. It removes dirt, dander, and tangles from the topcoat—the longer, protective guard hairs that give your dog their colour and weather resistance. Daily brushing is brilliant for keeping the coat tidy, but it doesn't reach the problem area.
Deshedding targets the undercoat—that soft, downy layer of secondary hairs that sits close to the skin. The undercoat provides insulation in winter and helps regulate temperature in summer. It's also where the vast majority of shed hair comes from.
A good deshedding brush for dogs has teeth designed to reach through the topcoat and grip the loose undercoat hairs. Instead of waiting for those hairs to fall out onto your furniture, you're removing them in one go.
Think of it this way: imagine your dog is wearing an all-weather jacket. The outer shell is the waterproof topcoat that protects them from rain and sun. The fleece lining is the undercoat that keeps them warm. Deshedding is like thinning out that fleece lining for summer—leaving the protective outer shell completely intact.
Deshedding isn't just about keeping your home clean. There are genuine health benefits for your dog.
A thick winter undercoat that hangs around into spring and summer can cause overheating. Dogs regulate body temperature through panting, but a dense coat makes it harder for air to circulate against the skin. Removing that excess undercoat helps your dog stay comfortable as temperatures rise.
Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) are painful, inflamed patches of skin that develop when bacteria take hold. They're often triggered by moisture trapped against the skin—from swimming, bathing, or simply a dense, matted undercoat.[4]
Dead undercoat that isn't removed acts like a sponge. It holds moisture, dirt, and debris against the skin, creating ideal conditions for bacterial infection. Regular deshedding clears out that dead coat and allows air to reach the skin.
Grooming stimulates blood circulation to the skin and helps distribute the natural oils that keep your dog's coat shiny and weather-resistant. Dogs with regularly groomed coats tend to have healthier skin overall.
The right tool depends on your dog's coat type. Here's what actually works.
Best for long-haired, double-coated breeds like Golden Retrievers, Collies, and Samoyeds. Undercoat rakes have long, widely-spaced teeth that reach through the topcoat to pull out loose undercoat hair. Some have rotating teeth to reduce pulling and make the process more comfortable.
The FURminator Grooming Rake has rotating teeth that reach deep into the coat to gently remove loose undercoat and tangles without pulling. Ideal for thick double coats.
The FURminator deshedding tool is probably the most recognised name in this category. These tools use a fine-toothed edge to reach through the topcoat and grab loose undercoat. They're effective on most double-coated breeds but should not be used on single-coated dogs or breeds without an undercoat.
Removes up to 99% of loose undercoat. Available for large and extra-large dogs with long or short hair.
Perfect for short-coated breeds like Pugs, Boxers, and Bulldogs. These don't have the reach for undercoat work but they do a brilliant job of lifting loose surface hair while giving your dog a nice massage. Most short-coated dogs enjoy the sensation, which makes grooming easier.
The Dog Grooming Rubber Pet Mitt is flexible and mess-free—perfect for short and medium coats. Stimulates the skin while removing loose fur during wet or dry grooming.
A slicker brush is more of an all-rounder. It's best for removing tangles and surface debris, and you'll want one as part of your kit, but it's not a substitute for a proper deshedding tool on heavy-shedding breeds. Use the slicker brush to finish after deshedding.
A healthy coat starts from the inside. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids strengthen hair follicles and can reduce excessive shedding.[5] Fish oil supplements are the easiest way to add these to your dog's diet, and most dogs love the taste.
If your dog is shedding excessively despite good grooming, it's worth checking their diet. A quality food with adequate protein and fat will support coat health better than a cheap, grain-heavy alternative.
Pure Omega 3, 6 & 9 fish oil supplement for natural coat health, reduced itchy skin, and overall wellbeing. 500ml bottle.
Watch Out for Brush Burn
It's possible to over-groom. Pressing too hard or brushing the same area repeatedly can cause skin irritation—groomers call this "brush burn." Use gentle, even strokes and move the tool across different areas of the coat. If you see redness or your dog seems uncomfortable, stop and give their skin a rest.
You can do a lot at home, but professional groomers have equipment and expertise that takes deshedding to another level.
This is the big one. Professional groomers use high-velocity (HV) dryers that blast air at speed—not heat—to physically push loose undercoat out of the coat. Think of it as a fur blowout.[6]
An HV dryer can leave a dog shed-free for up to three weeks. The loose undercoat that would normally fall out gradually over the coming days gets blasted away in one session. It's far more effective than hand-brushing alone, and the result is a coat that feels lighter and looks healthier.
Professional deshedding shampoos contain ingredients that help lubricate the hair shaft, allowing trapped undercoat to slide out more easily during the bathing and drying process. These products work best when combined with proper technique—something groomers do every day.
A good groomer will spot issues you might miss—parasites, bald patches, early signs of skin infections, lumps, or unusual shedding patterns that could indicate a health problem. They see dozens of dogs each week and know what looks normal and what doesn't.
For heavy-shedding breeds, booking a professional deshedding treatment at the start of each shedding season (spring and autumn) can dramatically reduce the amount of loose fur in your home for weeks afterwards.
This cannot be stressed enough: shaving a double-coated dog does more harm than good.
Some owners think shaving will keep their dog cooler in summer or stop shedding. Neither is true. Here's what actually happens:
The American Kennel Club and veterinary dermatologists are clear on this point: deshedding is the correct approach for double-coated breeds, not shaving.[8] For a deeper look at why shaving is never the answer, see our guide on why you should never shave a double-coated dog.
Some shedding patterns aren't normal and need veterinary attention rather than grooming:
If you notice any of these signs, book a vet appointment. A groomer can maintain a healthy coat, but diagnosing and treating medical conditions is a vet's job.
Deshedding is most beneficial for double-coated breeds—dogs with both an outer topcoat and a soft, dense undercoat. These include:
Some breeds don't need deshedding tools because they have little or no undercoat. These include Poodles, Bichon Frises, Yorkshire Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, and Afghan Hounds. For these dogs, a slicker brush and regular grooming are sufficient.
During shedding season (spring and autumn), deshed every few days to keep on top of the loose undercoat. Outside of shedding season, once a week is usually enough for most double-coated breeds. Indoor dogs may need year-round deshedding at a lower frequency.
Most puppies don't develop their full adult undercoat until around 6-12 months old. Until then, gentle brushing with a soft slicker brush is enough. Once the adult coat comes in, you can start using deshedding tools. Introducing grooming early helps puppies get used to the routine.
Deshedding shampoos help lubricate the coat so loose hair releases more easily during bathing and blow-drying. They work best as part of a full deshedding routine—bath, blow-dry, and brush—rather than as a magic fix on their own.
Seasonal coat changes are the most common cause. Indoor dogs often shed year-round due to artificial lighting. Stress, poor diet, allergies, parasites, and hormonal conditions can all cause excessive shedding. If the shedding seems unusual or is accompanied by skin problems, see a vet.
A professional deshedding treatment combines bathing with deshedding shampoo, a high-velocity blow-out to blast loose coat from the follicles, and thorough brushing with the right tools for your dog's coat type. It's one of the most effective ways to manage heavy shedding and keeps your home fur-free for weeks.
If you're looking for a groomer who offers deshedding treatments, use our groomer directory to find professionals in your area. Look for groomers with experience handling double-coated breeds and ask whether they use high-velocity dryers—this is the key to a thorough deshed.
Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general information for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog is experiencing unusual hair loss, skin problems, or any symptoms that concern you, please consult a qualified veterinarian.
Browse our directory of qualified, reviewed dog groomers in Folkestone. Compare services, prices, and availability for expert coat care.
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