What's the difference between a de-shed and a regular bath/blow dry?

Removing dead undercoat is essential for your dog's ability to regulate their temperature properly

I get asked this a lot, and as we head out of winter and into the warmer months, I thought I’d explain it fully. To most owners, a bath and blow dry might look pretty similar to a de-shed, but there are a few important differences in what happens behind the scenes - and in the results.

Both services start and end the same. The dog is washed thoroughly with a suitable shampoo at least twice to ensure their coat is squeaky clean. At the end, the dog is blow dried with a high velocity dryer (which already helps push out dead coat), then brushed through.

So where does a de-shed differ?

The de-shed involves a few extra steps, and a bit more time. Once shampooed, the dog is drenched in conditioner (I prefer the Melanie Newman De-shed/Detangle variety). The conditioner is massaged in, either by hand or with a rubber curry comb, and then allowed to sit for 10-15 minutes. I usually use this time to let the dog out for a toilet break. The conditioner helps to relax the coat and separate the dead layers of hair from the healthy coat. Before rinsing, I give another thorough massage. By this stage, the dead hair is already sloughing off in chunks - a clear sign it’s ready to be rinsed.

And I don’t just rinse. I use the high-pressure jet setting on my nozzle and, starting from the back, I work my way back and forth and down, driving out that dead hair in waves with the water.

In some cases, where the coat is impacted (layers of dead hair have matted together and formed a felt-like mass), I may need to repeat this whole process once or twice. By the time I get to the drying stage, most of the dead coat has already gone down the drain. That means the drying is faster, gentler, and less stressful for the dog. For dogs who dislike the blow dryer or brushing, this is a big plus - we simply don’t need to do as much.

In addition, by using water to drive out the majority of shed hair, I don't have tumbleweeds of it flying around with the dryer!

So which option should you choose?

De-sheds are essential for double-coated dogs and should be done several times a year, especially in the hotter months, to allow for effective temperature regulation. One treatment can last a whole shedding season - but not always. There are a few reasons:

• Most dogs are desexed, which disrupts natural coat cycles (particularly in females).

• Dogs exposed to heating and cooling often shed more erratically, as their bodies get “confused” by the constant temperature changes.

• Many dogs live in climates very different from what they were bred for, so their shedding can be heavier and longer lasting.

  
  

Because of this, some dogs will need two or even three full de-sheds in the course of one season.

On the other hand, a bath and blow dry is more of a maintenance service. It’s great for keeping the skin and coat healthy, and it still helps to remove some dead coat - but it’s not a one-stop solution to a shedding season. If you like your dog groomed regularly, the best approach is to kick off shedding season with a big de-shed, then book in for weekly or fortnightly baths and blow dries to stay on top of any new undercoat coming through.

Final Thoughts

Both services are valuable, but they serve different purposes. A de-shed is like hitting the “reset button” on your dog’s coat - it clears out the bulk of the undercoat in one go, giving your dog relief and making life at home a lot less hairy. A regular bath and blow dry is more about upkeep, comfort, and coat health between those deeper treatments.

If you’re unsure which one your dog needs, just ask your groomer. They’ll be able to look at your dog’s coat and recommend whether it’s time for the full de-shed treatment, or if a bath and blow dry will do the job. Either way, your dog walks out clean, comfortable, and happy - and you’ll be finding a lot less hair around the house!