Grooming and coat
When do dogs shed the most?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Double coated breeds shed heaviest during two seasonal blows a year, typically spring and autumn, each lasting roughly two to four weeks as the coat adjusts for the coming season. Dogs that live mostly indoors under artificial light often shed a more consistent, lower level amount year round instead of two sharp peaks.
The seasonal coat blow
In spring, a double coated dog sheds its thick winter undercoat to prepare for warmer weather, and in autumn it sheds a lighter summer coat to grow in a denser one for winter. Each of these blows typically lasts two to four weeks and is when owners notice the most dramatic increase in loose hair around the house.
Indoor living changes the pattern
Shedding is triggered largely by changes in daylight length, so dogs that spend most of their time indoors under consistent artificial lighting often shed more evenly across the year rather than in two obvious spikes. This does not usually mean less total shedding, just a less predictable pattern.
What helps during peak shedding
Daily brushing with an undercoat rake during a coat blow removes far more loose hair than the usual weekly routine, and can shorten how long the heaviest shedding phase feels by removing dead hair before it falls out on its own around the house.
Key takeaways
- Double coated breeds typically shed heaviest during two seasonal blows lasting two to four weeks each, in spring and autumn.
- Indoor dogs under artificial light often shed more evenly year round rather than in sharp seasonal peaks.
- Daily brushing with an undercoat rake during a coat blow reduces the amount of hair shed around the house.