Why does my dog shed so much in spring and summer?

Dogs shed more in spring and summer because they're dropping their winter undercoat to prepare for warmer temperatures. It's natural, and not a sign of illness.

It looks weird, there’s no denying that. If your house currently looks like a fur factory exploded, you’re dealing with what groomers call “coat blow.”

You’ll be relieved to know this is normal and seasonal. And it happens to double-coated breeds with an intensity that makes you question if your dog is going bald.

Breeds like golden retrievers, huskies, German shepherds, Australian shepherds, and Great Pyrenees have two layers of fur. That means a dense undercoat for insulation and a coarser outer one for protection. When temperatures rise in the spring, the undercoat loosens and sheds in large volumes over several weeks. Some dogs go through a second, lighter shed in late summer as their coat adjusts once more before winter.

Single-coated breeds like poodles, Maltese, and Yorkies don’t blow their coats the same way. But they still shed more in warmer months due to increased daylight triggering hormonal changes in hair growth cycles. It’s not quite so dramatic, but it’s still happening.

A few things make seasonal shedding worse. Skipping regular brushing lets loose fur accumulate in the coat instead of coming out in controlled amounts. That loose hair then mats against the skin, traps heat, and risks giving your dog hot spots. Dogs who spend time outdoors in humidity (AKA normal Texas weather) tend to shed more. The moisture loosens up their undercoat faster.

The best thing you can do during shedding season is brush more often—every other day for heavy shedders, daily during peak blow. A slicker brush handles surface fur, but you need an undercoat rake to reach the dense stuff underneath. Professional deshedding treatments go further, using specialized shampoo, conditioner, and high-velocity drying to remove loose undercoat that brushing alone can't reach. A single one of these treatments can cut down on shedding by a lot for four to six weeks.

If shedding seems excessive even beyond what’s seasonal—that is, if you see bald patches, skin redness, or they’re scratching a lot—that’s worth a vet visit. Any of those signs could mean allergies, thyroid issues, or skin infections. That’s different than run-of-the-mill shedding.

Woofies of Austin Hill Country groomers handle shedding season all spring and summer long. Their mobile van comes to your driveway, so you're not loading a fur-covered dog into your car for a trip to a salon. They'll recommend the right treatment for your dog's coat type whether that's a full deshed, a bath and blowout, or just a thorough brush. And you'll leave with a dog who isn't redistributing their winter coat across every surface in your house.