Every summer in the UAE, the same debate erupts in dog owner groups, at the grooming salon, and in vet waiting rooms: should I shave my dog to keep them cool?
It seems logical. You're sweating in shorts and a t-shirt, your Golden Retriever is wearing what appears to be a fur coat. Surely a full shave would help? The answer, perhaps surprisingly, is almost always: no. Here's why.
Understanding your dog's coat is essential for keeping them comfortable through UAE summer. Here's what you need to know.
A dog's coat is not the same as a human's clothing. It isn't simply insulation that keeps heat in. For most double-coated breeds, the coat is an active thermal regulation system.
Double-coated dogs (think Huskies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Chow Chows) have two distinct layers:
In summer, the undercoat naturally sheds, creating an air gap between the skin and the topcoat. This air gap acts as insulation against heat, similar to how a thermos works. The guard hairs also protect the skin from direct UV radiation, which in the UAE is significant.
When you shave a double-coated dog, you eliminate this system entirely. You remove the UV protection, destroy the insulating air layer, and, critically, you risk coat damage syndrome (sometimes called post-clipping alopecia), where the undercoat grows back faster and coarser than the guard hairs, disrupting the coat texture permanently.
Do not shave: double-coated breeds, including Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Chow Chow, Samoyed, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Pyrenees, Akita, Shiba Inu, and Corgi.
Safe to trim (not shave): single-coated breeds with continuously growing hair, including Poodle, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Bichon Frisé, Cocker Spaniel, Havanese, Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier, and Lhasa Apso.
Can benefit from a summer cut (shorter trim, not a shave):
If you can't shave them, what can you do? Quite a lot, actually.
1. Regular, thorough deshedding
The most important thing you can do for a double-coated dog in UAE summer is to remove the loose, dead undercoat regularly. This is what enables that natural air-gap cooling system to work. A professional deshedding treatment at the groomer, or regular brushing at home with an appropriate undercoat rake or slicker brush, makes a significant difference.
During peak shedding season (late spring/early summer), a deshedding session every 2–3 weeks is not excessive for a heavy-coated dog in the UAE.
2. Don't skip the grooming appointment
While shaving is off the table, professional grooming is more important in summer, not less. A good groomer will deshed, clean, dry, and check the coat and skin: all of which matter more in the heat.
3. Keep the coat clean and dry
Hot and humid UAE summers create the ideal conditions for bacteria and yeast to proliferate on the skin, especially under a thick coat. Bathing every 3–4 weeks with a gentle, dog-appropriate shampoo (not human shampoo) keeps the skin healthy and the coat functioning properly.
After bathing, make sure the coat is fully dried. A damp undercoat against skin in UAE summer heat is a hotspot for fungal infections.
4. Check for matting
Matted fur is painful and traps heat. Mats pull at the skin, prevent air circulation, and can harbour moisture and bacteria underneath. If your dog has developed mats, they need to be professionally removed. In severe cases, a closer trim around the affected area may be necessary, but this is corrective grooming, not a summer shave for cooling.
When you take your dog to a UAE groomer in summer, be specific.
For double-coated breeds:
For single-coated breeds:
For all dogs:
The grooming world has shifted significantly. The focus is no longer just on aesthetics. It's on the dog's skin health, emotional wellbeing during the grooming process, and the long-term condition of the coat.
A good UAE groomer today will be checking for:
Diet plays a role in coat quality too. A dog eating fresh, omega-3-rich food will typically shed more predictably and maintain a healthier skin barrier. If your groomer flags excessive shedding or a dull coat, it's worth reviewing what's in the bowl, not just what's on the surface.
Think of your summer grooming appointments as health checks as much as coat maintenance.
In UAE summer, professional grooming every 4–6 weeks is ideal. Between appointments, keep up with:
Shaving your double-coated dog this UAE summer won't make them cooler. It will actually compromise the system their body uses to manage heat. Work with their coat instead: keep it clean, deshed it regularly, and visit a groomer who understands the difference.
For dogs with single coats that grow continuously, a shorter summer trim is sensible and genuinely helpful. Just make sure "trim" doesn't become "shave": leave at least an inch of coat to protect the skin from the harsh UAE sun.
Your dog's coat is an engineering marvel. Treat it like one.
Coat condition is also a reflection of what's in the bowl. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids supports the skin barrier and reduces inflammation from the inside. Wunderdog meals are made with real ingredients, including omega-3-rich fish, and are free from artificial additives. Learn more.