Course 15 · Double Coats · Lesson 6 of 12

What is coat blowing, and how do you manage it at home?

Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026 · About 6 minutes · General information only. This lesson does not diagnose or treat any condition.

Coat blowing is the seasonal release of large amounts of loose undercoat over a few weeks, usually in spring and again in autumn, when a double coat changes for a new season. Manage it at home with frequent, short, sectioned deshedding, skin checks, full drying after wetting, and increased home cleaning, with groomer help for a heavy blow. It is normal coat renewal, not a disease, but it needs planning, because the volume of hair is large, it can pack into mats if not removed, and it can overwhelm a routine designed for normal shedding.

What happens during coat blowing?

During blowing, undercoat that has been held in the coat for months is released, often in soft clumps or tufts that can be pulled gently from the coat, or that come out in large amounts during brushing. The coat may look patchy, dull, or uneven, with areas where undercoat has come out and new coat is growing in, and the dog may look thinner. Loose undercoat may be found on bedding, furniture, and clothing in far greater amounts than usual, and it may appear as pale, fluffy hair distinct from guard hairs. The dog should remain comfortable, with healthy skin, normal appetite, and normal behaviour, throughout blowing. Blowing usually lasts two to four weeks, sometimes longer for large or heavily coated dogs, and indoor dogs may blow more evenly or almost continuously. The timing varies by breed, age, health, daylight, and temperature, and owners should learn their dog’s pattern over a full year. Blowing is not hair loss from disease: skin should be healthy, new hair should be growing, and the coat should return to full density after blowing ends.

How should deshedding be organised during blowing?

Organise deshedding in sections, every two to three days, in short sessions, as in the shedding course. Work outdoors or on a sheet, use a comb and undercoat rake, hold the base of each section, and check skin in each section. Split a full deshed over several days, so the dog does not tire and skin is not irritated. Use a deshedding tool only sparingly, if suitable for that coat, and never with heavy pressure or on sore skin. After deshedding, wipe the coat with a damp cloth to remove remaining loose hairs, and clean tools. Keep a record of sessions, volume of hair removed, and skin findings, so progress is visible and the end of blowing is recognisable. If the dog cannot tolerate the frequency needed, book a groomer deshed, which can remove large amounts of undercoat safely in one visit, with professional tools and handling, and then maintain with home deshedding. Do not bath frequently to manage blowing, and do not clip or use blades, as covered in lesson 7. A bath during blowing can help loosen undercoat, but only if it is followed by full drying and sectioned deshedding, as in lesson 4.

How do you manage the home and the dog’s comfort during blowing?

Manage the home by grooming at source, protecting furniture with washable covers, vacuuming frequently, and damp mopping hard floors, as in the shedding course. Manage the dog’s comfort by keeping sessions short, rewarding calm behaviour, offering breaks and water, and stopping before stress builds. Keep the dog cool and comfortable, with shade, water, and rest, especially in warm weather, and avoid vigorous exercise immediately after a long deshed, when the dog may be tired. Check friction areas more often during blowing, because loose undercoat packs into armpits, groin, and behind ears, and work out tangles promptly. Keep the coat clean and dry, and avoid leaving the dog damp under a collar or harness. Involve household members in cleaning and grooming tasks, with clear roles, so the work is shared during the peak weeks. Set realistic expectations: hair will be found in the home despite good routines, and the peak will pass. That expectation prevents frustration and harmful attempts to stop blowing with products or clipping.

What should you watch for during blowing that is not normal?

Watch for skin change, patchy hair loss, bald patches that do not regrow, redness, flaking, sores, discharge, smell, scratching, licking, pain, or behaviour change, as in the shedding course. Watch for coat that becomes thin over months, rather than returning to full density after blowing, and for guard hair breakage, frizz, or uneven regrowth after clipping or blade use. Watch for a dog that becomes unwell, goes off food, or loses weight during blowing, because those signs point away from normal coat renewal. If any of those signs appear, contact a vet, with notes on timing, pattern, and skin appearance. Do not assume that heavy blowing alone explains skin or health change, and do not delay assessment while trying home remedies. Normal blowing is heavy, even, and accompanied by healthy skin and a comfortable dog, and it ends with a full, healthy coat growing in. Anything outside that pattern needs veterinary advice, and early assessment is simpler than delayed treatment.

When should you stop and get help?

Contact a groomer for a heavy blow, for a professional deshed, or for help with technique and tools, and contact a vet if skin changes, patchy loss, pain, or illness appear, or if blowing does not settle. Do not clip, shave, or use blades, do not bath frequently, and do not force deshedding through mats or sore skin. Coat blowing is a seasonal event to be managed with patience, sectioned grooming, and home cleaning, and professional help is a normal part of that management, not a sign of failure. A planned, gentle routine through blowing protects skin, coat, and trust, and it leaves the dog with a healthy coat for the next season.

Frequent sectioned deshedding, skin checks, full drying and realistic home cleaning, with groomer help for a heavy blow, manage coat blowing without damaging the double coat that is renewing underneath.

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