What Does “Blow Coat” Mean?

If you’re owned by a Newfie then you are already familiar with the term “blow coat” or “seasonal shedding”. 

If you’re new to being owned by a Newfie or new to being owned by another breed with a double coat then you might be wondering what the fluff is going on with your dog losing large chunks of hair right now. 

Please don’t worry- this is normal, and your dog will not go bald. 

What is “Blow Coat”?

“Blow coat” refers to the process where a dog sheds its undercoat in large amounts, typically as the seasons change.

Dogs with double coats—meaning they have both a dense undercoat and a coarser topcoat—are particularly prone to blowing their coats.

Unlike normal shedding, which happens gradually, blowing coat is a more intense period of shedding where large clumps of fur come off at once.

This loss of hair usually happens twice a year, during spring and fall, as dogs adjust to the changing temperatures.

In the spring, dogs blow their winter coat to prepare for warmer weather, while in the fall, they shed their lighter summer coat to grow a thicker one for winter.

How Often Do Dogs Blow Coat?

Most breeds that have a double coat will blow their undercoat twice a year.

Normally the heaviest blow is in the spring and a lighter blow is in the fall. 

It’s said that many dogs will start to blow their coat in the spring when daylight increases but some can start the process as early as January.

 

Puppies will not blow their coat because they don’t have their full adult coat yet. 

Which Dog Breeds Blow Coat?

Not all dogs blow their coats.

It’s primarily seen in double-coated breeds.

Some of the most well-known breeds that experience this seasonal shedding include:

• Siberian Husky
• Newfoundland
• Malamutes
• Bernese Mountain Dogs
• Great Pyrenees
• German Shepherds
• Samoyeds
• Akitas

This is just a small list, there are many other dog breeds that blow their coat.

Some dogs will blow coat more than others, even within the same breed.

Dogs that spend a large amount of time outside will normally blow their coats more than dogs that spend a majority of their time in a temperature-controlled environment. 

Why Do Dogs Blow Coat?

The primary purpose of a double coat is to protect dogs from various weather conditions.

The undercoat serves as insulation in cold weather and offers cooling properties in the summer.

As temperatures rise or fall, dogs need to adjust their coat to maintain comfort, which leads to blowing coat.

Instead of shedding a few hairs here and there, double-coated dogs will lose large clumps of their undercoat. 

In the spring this prepares them for the warmer weather ahead and it makes room for new, healthy hair to grow in. 

How Long Does Coat Blowing Last?

Forever.

It lasts forever. 

Just kidding.

Sometimes it does seem like it lasts forever especially when you brush out a whole entire dog one day and the next day there is still tumbleweeds blowing through your house. 

How long a dog will blow their coat depends on its coat and how thick their undercoat is.

Most dogs will blow their coats from anywhere from 2 weeks to a little over a month. 

Other things that can determine how long dogs will blow their coat can depend on health, age, genetics, and hormones. 

Some dogs have spay coat.

After they are altered their coat will grow thicker and harder to manage.

Some may blow coat more than they previously did before being altered.

I do not have personal experience with spay coat so I can’t give a good example. 

How To Manage Your Dogs Blowing Coat

When a dog is blowing its coat, dog hair seems to be everywhere—on your furniture, clothes, and floors.

Here are some tips that have helped me manage the shedding process:

1. Regular Brushing

One of the best ways to manage coat blowing is through regular brushing.

Brushing helps to remove loose fur before it ends up all over your home.

For double-coated dogs, tools like an undercoat rake or deshedding brush are particularly useful.

Aim to brush your dog daily during the heavy shedding periods to minimize the mess.

Line combing can take longer but it is the best way to remove loose and dead dog hair efficiently. 

2. Bathing

Giving your dog a bath can help loosen and remove the dead undercoat more effectively.

Use a gentle dog shampoo that won’t irritate the skin, and consider following up with a conditioner designed for double-coated breeds.

After the bath, drying the coat with a dog dryer and brushing your dog will be even more effective.

3. Grooming Appointments

If you’re finding the shedding process overwhelming, consider scheduling a professional grooming session.

Groomers have special tools and techniques to help speed up the shedding process and leave your dog’s coat looking healthier.

4. Vacuuming

In addition to grooming, be prepared to vacuum regularly. Investing in a vacuum designed for pet hair can make cleanup much easier.

During the coat-blowing season, you may find yourself vacuuming every day to keep your home fur-free.

 

When to Worry About Excessive Shedding

While blowing coat is a normal process, there are instances where excessive shedding might signal an underlying health issue.

If your dog’s coat appears patchy, if the shedding is accompanied by skin irritation, or if the coat looks dull and dry, it may be time to consult your vet.

Conditions like allergies, thyroid imbalances, or skin infections could be contributing factors.

Save The Fluff!

Many people will just throw all the dog hair away but some people do recycle it.

You can send it to someone to clean and process and they will often turn that into yarn that can be made into mittens, scraves or even felted into many different things.

 

You can also use dog hair as a deer deterrent around your garden.

I’ve done this for the past several years and it does seem to help keep the deer away.

Many people will also put some clumps of dog hair under porches or decks to deter rodents.

Save some hair for a keepsake ornament.

I love this idea and Sherman and Leroy both have an ornament with the name written in it and filled with dogs hair.

I’ll always have a piece of them. 

Final Thoughts

Blowing coat is a natural process for many double-coated breeds, and while it can be messy, it’s something that can be managed with proper care and grooming.

By understanding what blowing coat means and taking proactive steps to manage it, you can keep your dog comfortable and your home a little less hairy during these seasonal shedding periods.

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