5 Essential Grooming Tools for Double Coated Dogs 2023

Keeping your dog well-groomed may seem like a simple task in theory, but what happens when they have a double coat? Double-coated breeds require more specific tools than a standard brush to keep them looking healthy.

While hundreds of products are out there, finding the right tools for your dog can be daunting. It all boils down to 5 different tools that allow you to target each coat layer easily.

In this article, we’ll talk you through our essential grooming tools for double-coated dogs that make grooming a walk in the park.

Table Of Essential Grooming Tools For Double-Coated Dogs

The table below shows all of the grooming tools you need to fully groom a double-coated breed, starting with the slicker brush all the way to the regular grooming brush.

What is a Double Coat?

Before we get into the essential grooming tools for double-coated dogs, it’s important to understand what a double coat actually is.

A double coat comprises two layers instead of one – a dense undercoat of short hairs that have a woolly texture and a top coat made up of longer guard hairs. The thicker the undercoat, the fluffier the dog and the more grooming will be required to keep them fresh.

Dogs with a double coat have them for a reason, and the individual layers each have a purpose.

The undercoat is essentially a layer of insulation that protects the dog from both hot and cold temperatures. It works by trapping a layer of air between the fur and the skin that helps your dog to regulate their temperature.

Conversely, the topcoat repels moisture and dirt away from their skin to keep them as clean as possible – pretty clever, right?

Double coats don’t just look different; they behave differently, too, and undergo a process known as ‘coat blowing.’ Coat blowing is different from regular shedding and happens when your dog transitions from winter to summer coats.

During coat blowing, a dog needs to get rid of some of their dense undercoat to prepare them for warmer months, and it will start falling out in large clumps. This is usually a messy process requiring a strong hoover and plenty of garbage bags, and having the right tools to help them through it is essential.

Hopefully, it’s obvious by now that a dog’s double coat is essential. As such, you should not shave a dog with a double coat. This can lead to all sorts of problems with heat regulation and will make your dog susceptible to heat stroke and sun damage from UV rays.

If your dog requires surgery, the vet will minimize the area that needs to be shaved to ensure no long-term damage is done to your pup.

Our Essential Grooming Tools For Double-Coated Dogs

Using a regular brush won’t do your dog’s double coat any good, and specialist tools are required to keep them looking healthy.

Trust us when we say you’ll regret having nothing when it comes to coat-blowing season, and your pup is left with undercoat chunks popping out from every direction!

We’ve tried and tested all our recommendations on double-coated dog breeds, so we’re confident they’ll work for you, too!

The Slicker Brush

We recommend starting your grooming routine with a slicker brush to comb through your dog’s undercoat.

This removes loose hairs and prevents any difficult mats and tangles from forming.

Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush For Dogs

We love Safari’s slicker brush, which has a ‘self-cleaning’ button that helps quickly eliminate all the loose hairs you’ve combed out.

The brush feels sturdy and comfortable to hold, which is an absolute must, as grooming can be lengthy.

We find it the easiest to start by combing around the thicker hairs near the rump before moving up the body towards the head. Don’t forget to comb around the stomach and legs; these areas are more prone to tangles that can be difficult to remove!

The Dematter Comb

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, your dog still ends up getting a matted fur section.

We’ve all been there; we’ve done everything by the book, and yet, somehow, there’s a tangle that needs to be dealt with. That’s where a dematter comes in.

Dog De-matting Comb By Safari

Dematter combs have lightly serrated blades that gently work stubborn mats and tangles out of your dog’s fur. We love the de-matting comb by Safari as, unlike other dematters, the comb is smaller and more precise, allowing you to have better control over your combing.

The dematting process will never be comfortable for your dog, but we’ve personally had the least complaints using this tool.

The Undercoat Rake

Long-time owners of double-coated breeds are guaranteed to have this piece of equipment in their arsenal, and for good reason!

The undercoat rake is considered to be the staple of a double coat grooming kit as it removes any hairs from the undercoat that are about to be shed without damaging the topcoat.

WAHL Double Row Rake

Our personal favorite is the deshedding and dematting undercoat rake by WAHL, which has a soft grip gel handle that makes long grooming sessions significantly more comfortable.

A single grooming session with this undercoat rake will reduce shedding significantly and easily remove any burrs that have formed while outside.

In our opinion, many other rakes available are too harsh to be used on the majority of dogs. In the past, we’ve tried other popular brands that have left our dogs with damaged topcoats that don’t grow back properly.

Since moving to non-serrated rakes with wider teeth, we’ve noticed a significant improvement in the quality of our dogs’ coats and their attitudes towards being groomed.

Learn from us, and don’t put your pups through the same discomfort!

The Grooming Comb

Probably the most straightforward grooming tool, but one of the most effective is a grooming comb.

A grooming comb is not too dissimilar to something we would use on our own hair, but it can make a big difference to your dog’s grooming routine.

We like to use them after we’re done with the undercoat rake to get rid of the last few remaining loose hairs and to check for any final mats or tangles that have gone under the radar.

FURminator Finishing Comb For Dogs, LARGE

We currently use the Finishing Dog Comb by FURminator as it has fully rotating pins, which prevent tugging and minimize skin irritation.

After a long grooming session, your dog will be grateful for the relief! The handle is sturdy and easy to grip, making it easier to groom our dogs in harder-to-reach areas.

The comb has rounded teeth, which promotes improved circulation by massaging your dog’s coat, and the comb is made from anti-microbial plastic to prevent bacteria from building up. We certainly won’t complain about the added bonuses!

The Bristle Brush

The last step in our grooming routine is always to use a bristle or rounded pin brush to comb everywhere.

After the long grooming process, there’s a good chance your dog is tired and antsy to get away, and using a bristle brush is a relaxing final step.

We use one to make sure our dog’s coat is lying flat and in the direction of natural growth, which encourages the production of natural oils.

This simple step can greatly improve the overall condition of your dog’s precious double coat.

Sharper Image 2 Sided Bristle Grooming Brush

We recommend getting the Sharper Image 2 side bristle grooming brush, as it has the best of both worlds. The widely spaced pin side gently massages your dog’s undercoat, and the more densely packed bristle side removes loose hair and dirt from the topcoat.

The brush has an easy-grip handle and is perfect for daily brushing after a walk or play session to keep your dog’s coat ‘topped up’ until the next full grooming session.

Does My Dog Have A Double Coat?

It’s usually clear if a dog has a double coat, and you should be able to tell just by running your fingers through their fur. Dogs with a double coat will appear much fluffier, and it will be harder to part their fur to see skin than a single-coat dog.

Doubled-coated breeds can be both big and small and range from Pomeranians to Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Popular double-coated breeds include:

• Akita
• Alaskan Malamute
• Australian Sheepdog
• Chow Chow
• Finnish Spitz
• German Spitz
• Keeshond
• Old English Sheepdog
• Pomeranian
• Samoyed
• Shiba Inu
• Shih Tzu
• Siberian Husky
• Yorkshire Terrier

The list goes on…

In Summary

Grooming a double-coated dog may seem daunting, but having the right tools is half the battle.

These tools will prepare you for anything a double coat can throw at you and will make worrying about grooming a thing of the past.

All you need to do is take the time to learn what the role of each tool is and the right order to use them, and you’ll be grooming like a pro in no time.