For more immediate results, a hot-oil treatment as part of your dog's normal bath will quickly improve a very dry and lustreless coat. Bathing, regular brushing and proper diet will keep the coat in good condition. While bathing removes some of the natural oil from the coat, after a day or two the oil returns and your dog's coat will shine like a new penny. How often you bathe your dog depends on the type of activity he gets. The double coat, with its strong guard hairs, shining and waterproof over a thick and downy undercoat, is a true asset, particularly for working dogs.
Body warmth is trapped between the two coats, keeping the dog warm and dry in severe weather.
The undercoat is soft and woolly, lying close to the skin, while the top coat should be strong in texture, with the hairs lying close and straight, making them weatherproof. Maintenance of this type of coat is fairly simple. Daily brushing will keep the coat clean and shiny. The top coat presents few problems, but the soft undercoat should be brushed with a rake. This is a wide-toothed comb that passes easily through the thick undercoat.