I have pugs and they are a double coated breed and I sware, no dog sheds more than a pug!!!! Quote by showpug
Really...I must tell this to my Newf's.
I too have 3 double coated, ton of coat dogs. It is normal for double coated breeds to blow coat twice a year. It is also normal to shed some coat throughout the year, normal growth.
For my Newf's they get omega 3 fatty acids - fish body oil, Sardines, Wild canned salmon, Flaxseeds-crushed and oil. They get a raw meal in the evening and get other supplements for a beautiful shiny coat. I still have fur balls and have to clean daily...and trust me, my dogs eat very healthy and are in good health inside out.
I still get a ton of coat out of them.
What does your dog do when you brush or bath? If your having a difficult time try to see if you can rent a tub from a local groomer. This way you can tie the dog into the tub with a slip noose and if need be your can put a muzzle on. We have a few dogs (husky's) that come in for grooming at my sisters grooming shop that "despise" being groomed. But, as time goes on and we kindly get them used to grooming we have built them into good dogs to groom. If you struggle with the dog, fight the dog etc the dog will react in a fight or flight mode.
I brush my Newf's out about every other day, it's the best way to keep on top of the coat...an unbrushed double coated breed can mat easily. But, then again my Newf's would have more coat than a Maremma Sheepdog.
Another tip is when you do bath your dog, take a slicker type brush and brush out your dog when he is suds up. With the shampoo in the coat the undercoat just glides right out. I have the other advantage of having a high velocity dryer which I use to blow the rest of the undercoat out.
Try to get your dog used to being brushed out. Try first getting your dog used to being massaged, then relaxed. Then next time massage, have brush beside you and brush a little while talking...keep it all positive and relaxed and do a little at a time. If you take at it like a job that has to be done, then it can become a chore. If on the other hand the dog growls and you back away then this is a completely different behavior that should be addressed.
I have also owned a Great Pyrenees in my past, she learned to love being brushed and spending quality time with mommy.
Even if you can get 2 baths in a year during the time when blowing coat and get your dog used to being groomed throughout the year. Maybe buy a second hand high velocity dryer and use that to blow the undercoat out.
Good luck