Dog coats don’t just differ in terms of color, texture, and length. They can also be divided into two categories: single coat and double coat. Before you groom your dog, you need to know what type of coat you’re your dog has.
Here are the basics about double coated dogs, and all of the breeds that have double coats, and how to properly maintain this type of coat.
What is a Double Coat?
Dogs with double coats have an undercoat and an outer coat. Their outer coats are made up of long, guard hairs under which there is a denser, woollier and often much softer undercoat. This dense undercoat protects a dog from both hot and cold temperatures, and the top coat helps to repel moisture and dirt. The denser the undercoat, the fluffier a dog's coat tends to be and the more grooming is needed to prevent tangles and mats from forming. However, the one thing you should never do is shave a dog with a double coat because you would take away valuable protection from the damaging UV rays of the sun.
Spitz Dogs with Double Coats
- Akita
- Alaskan Husky
- Alaskan Malamute
- American Eskimo
- Chinook – a rare breed
- Chow Chow
- Finnish Spitz
- Finnish Lapphund
- German Spitz
- Icelandic Sheep Dog
- Keeshond
- Korean Jindo
- Norwegian Elkhound
- Norwegian Lundehund
- Pomeranian – toy breed
- Shiba Inu
- Siberian Husky
- Samoyed
- Swedish Lapphund
Herding Dogs with Double Coats
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Shepherd
- Rough Collie
- Smooth Collie
- Bearded Collie
- Belgian Sheepdog
- Beauceron
- Belgian Malinois
- Belgian Tervuren
- Briard
- Bouvier des Flanders
- Canaan Dog
- Pembroke Corgi
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- German Shepherd Dog
- Norwegian Buhund
- Old English sheepdog
- Polish Lowland Sheep Dog
- Puli
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Swedish Vallhund
Working Dogs With Double Coats
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Black Russian Terrier
- The Entlebucher Mountain Dog – a rare breed
- Pyrenean Mountain Dog
- Komondor
- Kuvasz
- Leonberger
- Newfoundland
- Saint Bernard
- Tibetan Mastiff
Sporting Dogs With Double Coats
- American Water Spaniel
- Boykin Spaniel
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
- Hounds that Boast Double Coats
Terrier Breeds With Double Coats
- Australian Terrier
- Cairn Terrier
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Tibetan Terrier
- Norfolk Terrier
- Parson Russell Terriers
- Irish Terrier
- Lakeland Terrier
- Scottish Terrier
- Sealyham Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Skye Terrier
- Wheaten Terrier
- Wirehaired Fox Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier
Small & Toy Breeds with Double Coats
- Havanese
- Kokoni
- Pomeranian
- Shih Tzu
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Yorkshire Terrier
Mix Breeds
- Mix Breeds of the above dogs can also have a double coat.
