What Is A Dog's Undercoat?
A dog's undercoat is what it sounds like — another coat beneath the outer one. The extra coat equates to more frequent grooming, so dogs with undercoats may not be suitable for all homes. Determine coat and grooming needs before you commit to a pet, for your sake and his.
The Undercoat
Breeds with an undercoat have a long and coarse outer or guard coat that hides the undercoat. The undercoat is characterized by fluffy, soft hair. Undercoats are lighter in color than the guard coat; many are light gray in hue. While dogs shed the outer coat year round, they shed the undercoat seasonally, in the spring and fall. If you're suddenly finding tons of hair around the house, it may be undercoat shedding season.
Significance
Undercoats are significant for two main reasons: They require regular maintenance year-round and, when they "blow out" seasonally, they leave a great deal of loose fur all over the home. If you do not have the time to brush your pet one or more times a week, you'd be better off with a dog with no undercoat. If you're unsure how much grooming a breed you enjoy needs, discuss care with a breeder before committing to a pet.
Breeds
Not all breeds have an undercoat; many only have one coat of hair that is the same inside and out. Breeds with an undercoat include the German shepherd, Pomeranian, chow, husky, Malamute and Samoyed. Breeds native to areas that have a chilly winter tend to have undercoats. Poodles, greyhounds and certain terriers rank among breeds that do not have an undercoat.
Tips
Brush the undercoat year-round to prevent matting and during shedding season to help remove the loose fur. If you encounter undercoat mats, moisten fur with a detangler and use a mat rake or slicker to gently detangle the fur. If your pooch is severely matted, schedule a trip to the groomer. Do not attempt to cut or shave the hair yourself.
By Elton Dunn
References
"The Howell Book of Dogs: The Definitive Reference to 300 Breeds and Varieties"; Liz Palika; 2007
Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue: Grooming Tips
"Knack Dog Care and Training: A Complete Illustrated Guide to Adopting, House-breaking, and Raising a Healthy Dog"; Carina Beth MacDonald; 2009
About the Author
A successful website writer since 1998, Elton Dunn has demonstrated experience with technology, information retrieval, usability and user experience, social media, cloud computing, and small business needs. Dunn holds a degree from UCSF and formerly worked as professional chef. Dunn has ghostwritten thousands of blog posts, newsletter articles, website copy, press releases and product descriptions. He specializes in developing informational articles on topics including food, nutrition, fitness, health and pets.