The dog's skin and coat cycles every 21-28 days, this includes short and long haired dogs. When most people think of shedding, it is with the double coated breeds such as the Siberian Husky, Shetland Sheepdog, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Saint Bernard, and many more. Double coated breeds have a soft undercoat and a harsh guard coat. Without monthly maintenance, these breeds do a big shed out every 3 months with the season and temperature changes. While it still happens with monthly baths and brush outs, the shed out is greatly reduced. 

Just like their wolf ancestors, during the Spring/Summer, a lot of the undercoat falls out to help keep them cool. Wolves brush up against everything to get that undercoat out. Our dogs have been domesticated enough that they don't do this. Therefore, the coat impacts into itself, making it harder for the dog to cool down. Once it starts getting cooler in the Fall/Winter, the undercoat builds back up to insulate them and keep them warm. 

Take a look at Bruno's before and after pictures. He hasn't been to the groomer in almost a year. With the wonderful Iv San Bernard products found in our De-Shed Specialty Light Spa, we were able to get rid of all of the impacted and shedding coat, while bringing his coat back to life.

Additionally, this is why we do not want to shave our double or short coated dogs. Their coat is designed to regulate their body temperature. Dogs cool off by their mouths and feet. When you shave a double coated dog, you are damaging the hairs which will eventually stop growing or grow incorrectly. This will make each "shave down" harder to do as the coat will become more impacted every shave.

A few ways to help keep your dog cool outside during our hot summer months, is to provide them with fresh cool clean water, shade, and a kiddie pool for them to lay in or splash around in if they wish. During extremely hot days, do not allow your dog outside for more than 15 minutes. Wake up earlier on these days to give your dog more time outside in the cooler morning hours. Also, wait until later in the evening, once it has cooled down, to give them more time outside. Do NOT walk your dog on hot sidewalks or pavements. This will burn their paw pads which will be very painful and take months to heal.