How Florida humidity affects your dog's coat
Florida air carries 70–90% relative humidity most of the year, and your dog's coat soaks it up like a sponge. The result is matting, frizz, hot spots, and that distinct "wet dog" smell that lingers even between baths.
Double-coated breeds like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Australian Shepherds suffer the most because moisture gets trapped against the skin under the topcoat. Single-coated breeds — Maltese, Yorkies, Poodles — fare slightly better but their hair tangles faster in humid air.
Three things help: brush more often than you would in a dry climate (every 2–3 days for long coats), use a dehumidifying conditioner during baths, and trim the belly and underarm hair short so air can circulate.
Don't shave double-coated breeds, even in summer — the topcoat actually insulates against heat and protects skin from sun. Strip out the dead undercoat instead. A professional de-shedding treatment every 6–8 weeks is the right call for most thick-coated dogs in Florida.
If your dog comes in from the yard wet from rain or sprinklers, towel-dry thoroughly within 30 minutes. Wet fur left against the skin grows bacteria fast in this climate.