Dear Aggie: We have burdock on our property and the burrs get into my dogâs coat. How can I eliminate this weed? A: From an evolutionary perspective, burdock species (both Arctium minus and Arctium lappa) are masters of spreading their seeds. Native to Europe, burdock has seed heads with prickly barbs that immediately catch onto an animalâs coat â or a gardenerâs clothing â at the lightest touch. In fact, the inventor of Velcro was inspired by the tenacity of burdock seed-heads. As the animal moves about the environment, hitchhiking seeds shake loose from the burrs, spreading the plant into new locations. Unfortunately, as the seed heads break apart, they work their way into an animalâs coat and become difficult to remove. They are especially troublesome with long-haired breeds â from Scottish terriers to wool sheep to Highland cattle â and must be cut from the animalâs coat. The barbs can even work their way into the skin or into an animalâs eyes, resulting in infection.