Don't Make the Coat Too Short Before Winter
It's tempting to book a short clip in October to "get ahead" of winter, but cutting a double-coated breed's fur short reduces the insulating properties of the coat. For single-coated breeds (Poodles, Yorkies, Bichons), a slightly longer style in winter provides extra warmth. For double-coated breeds (Huskies, Goldens, Labs), maintaining the coat at its natural length is always best — the undercoat provides far better insulation than any dog coat you could buy.
Paw Care: The Most Important Winter Priority
London pavements in winter are treated with salt and grit that causes serious irritation to paw pads. After every walk:
- Wipe paws with a warm, damp cloth to remove salt and de-icing chemicals
- Check between the toes for ice balls — these form in dogs with long inter-digital hair and are extremely painful
- Apply a paw balm or wax before walks on salted surfaces
At your grooming appointment, ask for the inter-digital hair to be trimmed short during winter — this dramatically reduces ice ball formation.
Bathing in Winter: Is It Safe?
Yes — as long as your dog is completely dry before going outside. Professional groomers use high-velocity dryers that thoroughly dry the coat to the skin. At-home bathing in winter carries the risk of a damp undercoat in cold weather, so if you're bathing at home, ensure the environment is warm and use a powerful dryer. Never let a damp dog outside in cold weather.
London winter alert: The combination of cold walks, central heating and damp weather is particularly hard on dog coats. Skin can become dry and flaky. Ask your groomer about a conditioning treatment — it makes a noticeable difference.
Managing Winter Shedding
Most dogs grow a denser coat in autumn, then shed it in spring. The lead-up to this spring shed — January through March — is when undercoat management matters most. Regular brushing and a professional de-shed treatment in early spring prevents the worst of the shedding reaching your furniture and reduces skin irritation caused by trapped undercoat.
More Frequent Baths in Winter
Muddy parks, wet puddles and salt-treated pavements mean London dogs need more frequent bathing in winter — potentially every 3–4 weeks rather than the usual 6–8. Keep your grooming appointments consistent rather than skipping them due to cold weather. Read our after-care guide to keep the coat fresh longer between appointments.