By Sarah Chen · Reviewed by Dr. James Carter, DVM · Last reviewed: May 15, 2026
Huskies, malamutes, samoyeds, German shepherds, and golden retrievers all share one feature: a double coat. The right cooling tools work with the coat, not against it.
Never shave a double coat dog
The AKC and AVMA both warn against shaving huskies, malamutes, samoyeds, German shepherds, golden retrievers, and other double coat breeds. The undercoat traps a layer of air against the skin, which actually keeps the dog cool. Shaving exposes skin to sunburn and removes the cooling layer. The coat may grow back patchy or never look the same.
A double coat has two layers. The dense, soft undercoat sits close to the skin. The longer, coarser guard hairs sit on top. Together they do two jobs in summer.
First, the undercoat traps a layer of air. That trapped air slows the speed at which outside heat reaches the skin. Same idea as the insulation in your home. In winter it holds body heat in. In summer it holds outside heat out.
Second, the guard hairs reflect sunlight. The top layer bounces some UV away from the skin. A shaved dog loses both effects and burns easier. A clean, well groomed double coat does its job, but a matted or shed-clogged coat does not. Grooming is the unlock.
Elevated bed for airflow
Air must move under and through the coat to pull heat off. A raised mesh bed like the Coolaroo lets this happen. Flat mats and cushions trap heat under the dog.
Cooling vest with strong water saturation
Thin vests cannot push cooling through a thick coat. Pick a multi-layer wet evaporative vest with high water capacity, like the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler. Soak fully, wring lightly.
Indoor water-based cooling bed
For indoor rest, a water-based bed like the K&H cools through the coat. Park it in a shaded room. Pair with AC for full comfort.
Weekly deshedding tool
Loose, packed undercoat traps heat. Brush out the loose hair weekly in summer. The FURminator pulls undercoat without cutting guard hairs.
Best for double coat airflow
Airflow is the key to cooling a thick coated dog. The Coolaroo lets air pass under the dog, which a flat mat cannot do. Best pick for huskies and shepherds.
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Best cooling vest for thick coats
For a husky to feel cooling through a double coat, you need a vest with high water capacity. The Swamp Cooler delivers. Strong saturation is the trick.
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Best indoor cooling for huskies
Pair the Coolaroo for outdoor use with the K&H for indoor rest. Both running, your husky has a cool spot 24/7.
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Best deshedding tool for summer prep
A clean undercoat lets air reach the skin, which lets the double coat actually cool. Deshed weekly in summer, daily during the spring shed.
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| Season | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Spring (March to May) | Daily brushing during the heavy spring shed. Use a slicker brush plus undercoat rake or FURminator. |
| Summer (June to August) | Weekly deshedding session. Daily quick brush to remove loose hair. Bath once a month with cooling shampoo. |
| Fall (September to November) | 2x weekly brushing during fall shed. Skip baths to preserve coat oils. |
| Winter (December to February) | Weekly brushing only. Coat works as insulation, leave it dense. |
You should follow this guide
Skip if
The double coat is what cools a husky. The dense undercoat traps a layer of air against the skin. That air layer slows heat transfer from the outside air. Shaving removes the air layer and exposes skin to direct sunlight, which is worse than the original heat. The AKC, AVMA, and most groomers all warn against shaving double coat breeds. A shaved coat can grow back patchy or coarser and may never look the same.
Two layers do two jobs. The thick undercoat traps air against the skin, which slows the speed at which outside heat reaches the body. The longer guard hairs on top reflect sunlight away from the skin. Together they act like the insulation in your house. A clean, well groomed double coat is more efficient than a shaved coat in summer.
Brush daily during heavy shed (spring and fall). In summer, deshed once a week with a FURminator or undercoat rake plus daily quick brushing to remove loose hair. The AKC recommends professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. Loose undercoat traps heat, so removing it lets the coat work as it should.
An elevated bed like the Coolaroo, because it lets air move under the dog. Flat cooling mats are less effective on thick coats because the cooling layer cannot reach the skin through dense fur. Indoors, pair with a water based cooling bed like the K&H. Outdoors, add a wet evaporative vest with strong water capacity.
Yes, with the right setup. Air conditioning, an elevated bed for airflow, summer grooming routine, walks only before 8 AM or after 7 PM, and a cooling vest for outdoor time. Many huskies live in Arizona, Texas, and Florida with no problem when owners follow these rules. Without AC, hot climates are dangerous for double coat breeds.
Yes, but only vests with high water capacity. Thin spray-on vests do not soak through to the skin on a husky. Choose a multi-layer evaporative vest like the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler. Soak it fully, wring lightly, and the water seeps through the topcoat over 20 to 30 minutes to reach the cooler undercoat layer.
Yes. Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Border Collies are all double coat breeds. Same rules apply: never shave, deshed weekly in summer, use elevated beds for airflow, and use high capacity cooling vests for outdoor walks above 70 degrees F.
Yes. A shallow kiddie pool with 6 to 8 inches of cool tap water in a shaded yard is a great cooling option. Most huskies and northern breeds love water. Stay with your dog. After the pool, the wet undercoat acts like a cooling vest for hours. Brush before refilling to keep the pool water clean.
85 degrees F or higher is the warning zone for double coat breeds. Above 90 degrees F, limit outdoor time to 10 minutes and use a cooling vest. Above 95 degrees F, indoor with AC only. Humidity above 70 percent makes any temp more dangerous. Even northern breeds adapt to heat with the right care, but extreme heat is risky.
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