How to Manage Labrador Spring Shedding - Without Fur Everywhere
If you share your home with a Labrador, you probably already know that “shedding season” can feel less like a season and more like a full-time cleaning job!
When spring arrives, many Labradors start losing their heavier winter coat. You may notice more hair on the sofa, your clothes, the floor and somehow, even in places your dog has never been.
The good news? You can’t stop a healthy Labrador from shedding, but you can make the process much easier to manage.
Why do Labradors shed so much in spring?
Labradors have a short, dense double coat made up of a soft, insulating undercoat and a coarser outer coat.
That double coat is brilliant at protecting them from the weather, but it also means there is a lot of fur to shed when the seasons change.
As the weather warms up in spring, your Labrador may naturally shed some of their thicker winter undercoat. This is completely normal and is an important part of maintaining a healthy coat.
You might suddenly notice:
- More loose hair coming out during brushing
- Fur collecting around the house
- Increased shedding after walks
- More hair coming out during bath time
- A coat that feels like it is constantly dropping fur!
1. Brush regularly
Regular brushing is one of the easiest ways to stay on top of seasonal shedding.
For a Labrador, a good quality deshedding brush can help remove loose undercoat before it ends up on your furniture.
During heavy shedding periods, you may need to brush more frequently than you would during the rest of the year.
The important thing is to be gentle. Deshedding should remove loose hair—not aggressively pull at healthy hair or irritate the skin.
2. Give your Labrador a bath
Bathing can help loosen and remove some of the fur that is ready to shed.
A thorough bath, followed by careful drying and brushing, can help release loose undercoat and get it out of the coat rather than letting it continue to fall around your home.
This is where choosing the right shampoo can make a difference.
Our Groomers Collection Deshed Double Coats Shampoo & Conditioner has been developed specifically for double-coated dogs and uses a blend of oils designed to help release loose fur during the washing process.
It is particularly useful when your Labrador is going through one of those “how can one dog possibly produce this much fur?” moments!
3. Don’t forget the conditioner
Conditioner isn’t just about making your dog’s coat feel soft and fluffy.
A suitable conditioner can help keep the coat manageable and make brushing easier after the bath.
For double-coated breeds, using a shampoo and conditioner together can make the grooming process much more effective.
Our Deshed Double Coats Conditioner is designed to complement the shampoo and help care for the coat while you’re working through that seasonal shed.
4. Dry thoroughly
After bathing, make sure your Labrador is dried thoroughly.
Drying can help loosen remaining loose hair from the coat, making it easier to brush out afterwards.
If you use a high-velocity dryer, be mindful of your dog’s comfort and skin. Keep the airflow moving and avoid concentrating it on one area for too long.
If you’re grooming at home without a dryer, towel drying followed by brushing can still help remove loose fur.
5. Brush after the bath
This is where things can get surprisingly satisfying!
Once your Labrador is clean and mostly dry, brush through the coat to remove the loose hair that has been loosened during bathing.
Depending on how heavily your dog is shedding, you may find that a surprising amount of undercoat comes out.
And remember, that fur was going to end up somewhere!
Removing it during grooming means less of it is available to decorate your sofa, clothes and floors.
6. Keep up with grooming between baths
One big spring grooming session isn’t going to stop your Labrador from shedding.
Seasonal shedding can continue for weeks, so regular maintenance is key.
A simple routine might look like:
Brush → bathe → condition → dry → brush again → maintain regularly
The frequency will depend on your individual Labrador, their coat and how heavily they’re shedding.
7. Don’t try to stop the shedding completely
This is probably the most important point.
Shedding is a normal and healthy part of your Labrador’s coat cycle.
The goal isn’t to stop your dog shedding, it’s to manage the loose coat effectively.
If your Labrador suddenly develops dramatically increased shedding alongside bald patches, redness, sores, excessive scratching or other changes to their skin or coat, that’s different from normal seasonal shedding and is worth discussing with your veterinarian.
Your Labrador spring-shedding survival plan
If your home is currently covered in Labrador hair, don’t panic!
Start with a consistent grooming routine:
Brush regularly
Remove loose undercoat before it ends up around your home.
Bathe when needed
A thorough bath can help loosen and remove shedding fur.
Use a deshedding shampoo and conditioner
Choose products designed with double coated dogs in mind.
Dry and brush thoroughly
This helps remove the loose coat that has been released during grooming.
Keep maintaining the coat
Spring shedding isn’t usually a one-day event!
And finally, accept that some Labrador hair will still win.
They’re Labradors. It’s part of the deal! 🐾
But with the right grooming routine, you can dramatically reduce the amount of loose fur making its way around your home, and keep your Labrador’s beautiful double coat clean, healthy and comfortable.
Looking after a Labrador’s coat? Explore our Labrador Shampoo and Conditioner or our Groomers Collection Deshed Double Coats Shampoo & Conditioner, created especially for double coated breeds.
