Double-coated Dog Breeds

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The dogs with "Double-coats" feature dog breeds that have a fur-coat with an undercoat. These coats are programed to grow to a predetermined length (PDL) in combination with seasonal undercoat cycles which in combination are optimal for regulating the dog's metabolic needs. This is one of the many reasons that it is not recommended to shave these coats (commonly called a "summer cut"), although a handful of these longer-coated breeds can tolerate light trimming /shaping of their furnishings and feathers without problems. 

The outer coat (top coat) is the protective coat. This coat grows very slowly and sometimes stops growing when it is cut (telogen growth phase) as the ultra-fast growing undercoat takes over in an emergency response to protect the dog. The under coat is not a fully developed hair and lacks the ability to properly protect the skin and overgrowth typically leads to many skin and metabolic problems. 

Although it may seem that these coats are difficult to maintain due to all of the shedding, these coats are very self-sufficient requiring minimal care other than undercoat removal with occur twice a year --- May/June and Nov/Dec. Since these coat-types have many more follicles with many more hair growing out of each follicle, t is critical to nourish these coats with minerals and oils which are the building blocks for healthy hair growth.