The sun is out! The blossoms are blossoming! The pollen is pollening! People are sometimes inexplicably wearing shorts on the street while you drive by blasting the heat in your car! It’s an exciting time in Portland! 
You’ve probably recognized what this means for your own body (Achoo!, sneert), but what does it mean for your four-legged friend? It can have LOTS of different consequences!
This time of year, most double-coated dogs (we’re talking Shepherds, many herding dogs, Northern breeds, Golden Retrievers, Labs, and even little Pomeranians! – plus any dog mixed with one of these breeds) – are likely going through what groomers and vets call “blowing their coat”. This means that their winter undercoat is ready to get gone, and is probably all over your house and car! The undercoat usually presents as white fluffy tufts at first, and can become a serious problem if not properly removed from their top-coats (depending on the situation!).
If the undercoat is not correctly removed, it can become severely matted and/or compacted. The last thing good groomers want to do is shave a double or triple-coated dog unless they have no other option (just the idea of having to shave a matted Malamute will make a good groomer want to lose their lunch, and NO, the fur will not “just grow right back” on that one).
This can completely destroy the dog’s fur, and can remove their natural heat regulation system, as well as making them susceptible to heat stroke and sunburn. *We only do this in cases of emergency!* I.e. severe neglect or certain rescue cases.
I used to shave our previous dog (a Border Collie/Shepherd mix rescue) just on his belly to keep him cool, so he could lie down on a wet towel I kept in the freezer, and so that I didn’t need to cut into his undercoat on the rest of his body. One year, I made the mistake of taking him hiking in Glacier National Park in January, and the sun’s reflection off of the snow gave him sunburn on his belly in -10 degree weather! So, yes, it’s really important to be mindful of this – don’t make the same seemingly small mistake I did! And, like your wiser older friends often say, “always use sunscreen!” Yes, even for your dogs (find a canine-appropriate brand!).
Here is a great explanation of how this works from the AKC, with peer-reviewed scientific and veterinary studies: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/is-it-ok-to-shave-your-dog/
The best possible option for super-shedder pups this time of year is a proper groom with a high-quality deshedding shampoo AND conditioner, most likely with a good de-greaser as well. To get the extra undercoat to fully release, it needs to be completely clean, and completely dry. This is where your friendly neighborhood groomer comes in handy, because they will have an expensive high-velocity blow dryer to get that junk off of your little buddy!
I have seen way too many videos of people brushing their Samoyed or Husky for five hours, and that is NOT the ideal way to deal with undercoat! You can easily give them “brush-burn” or any sorts of skin rashes from over-brushing, as well as the skin infection likely to occur as a result.
Additionally: allergies, as I’m sure most of you are aware, are pretty rough here in the PNW in the spring! PDX Pet Spa carries a top-quality Hypoallergenic shampoo, as well as a premium anti-septic, anti-fungal Chlorhexidine shampoo (most likely the same one that your vet would sell you at twice the price). All of my shampoos have been tested on our own animals, and I have closely observed the results. I ONLY offer the best-working products that I have found over the 15 years I’ve spent in this career, regardless of their pricing or marketing.
So, please feel free to shoot me a message or give me a call if you have any questions or concerns, and let’s take care of those boogers, sneezes, undercoats, and itchy eyes! Let’s make spring more comfortable for your animals and for you this year!