Shave or no?

[schmitzgirly94]

Veda has a medium black coat, and she does get hot easily.
I was thinking of partially shaving her, so she would be cooler.
My neighbor's dog has his coat shaved, and even though he looks
funny, he doesn't seem cold and he has no irritations on his skin
or anything. I live in Arizona so it does get pretty hot here.
What should I do?

schmitzgirly94

 

[bubbatd]

For some reason, unless recommended by a vet for skin problems, I'm against shaving. God gave them their coats for a reason.

 

[juliefurry]

I think shaving wouldn't really help, I'm not sure. I heard that the fur not only keeps them warm but also somehow helps cool them too (that may be false so don't hold me to it).

 

[RD]

I live in Arizona, too, and recently had to shave down my Papillon.. I will say that for indoor, small-breed dogs it makes a world of difference in how hot they get. Ripley is so much more comfortable.

I would never shave a dog that spent a lot of time outside in the sun. In these cases, their coat is their insulation.

Whereabouts in AZ are you?

 

[schmitzgirly94]

I live in Show Low, AZ.
Its near Holbrook and 50 miles from Phoenix.
The longest Veda stays out in the sun for one period
of time is 2 hours. She is inside most of the time.

 

[Gempress]

I know how hot it gets in Phoenix, and I'd say shave. From what I've heard, the reason summer shaving can be bad is that a dog's coat is also what protects them from sunburn. But if your dog is mostly indoors, that shouldn't be a problem. It also gets very hot here in Texas, and my neighbor shaves his akita every summer because of it. You can tell the akita feels a lot more comfortable when it's done.

 

[Fran27]

Some dog's coats actually protect them from heat too, so shaving them is a bad idea. I know it's the case for American Eskimos.

 

[RD]

I would shave her, personally. As long as she has a shady spot to be in while she is outdoors, she shouldn't have a problem with the intense sun getting to her, and she'll definitely be more comfortable inside.

As far as insulating coats go - I know with certain breeds have coats that protect them from the elements, but in most cases I think saying that their coat insulates them and keeps them cooler is a lot like saying "wear this down jacket in 120 degree weather, it'll keep you cooler". It might keep the temperature around the skin a degree or two cooler, but it weighs you down and makes you feel horribly stuffy. Dogs always seem to feel so much lighter and happier after they've been shaved down.

 

[Ash47]

Some dog's coats actually protect them from heat too, so shaving them is a bad idea. I know it's the case for American Eskimos.

Fran is right. Their coat insulates the hot or the cold depending on what they need at that time. They have natural regulators on their body just as we do. The coat is one of them. Plus, sometimes, shaving make the coat grow back fuzzy and cottony looking. So you more than likely would not like the look once it grows back.

 

[chloesowner]

well, i have a shorthair beagle so i don't know any thing a bout shaving

 

[schmitzgirly94]

Ok. So after shaving it would be just a fuzzy undercoat
or something? Thats what the neighbor dog has.

 

[Ash47]

That's what it would grow back as, yes. It doesn't happen in all dogs, but a lot of dogs have this happen. Such as a Golden or a ChowChow, when you shave them... the hair grows back like a big fuzzball.

EDIT: I just noticed what kind of dog you have. A Spaniel/Doxy mix. In her case, the hair would probably grow back normally. Most Spaniels get regular haircuts and the hair grows back normally. So, it's really a cosmetic thing.

 

[schmitzgirly94]

Thanks prodog.
I figured some one would notice that in my
siggy sooner or later! I think getting her shaved in
the Spring would be the best decision. But I would like
to hear what everybody thinks.

 

[showpug]

That's what it would grow back as, yes. It doesn't happen in all dogs, but a lot of dogs have this happen. Such as a Golden or a ChowChow, when you shave them... the hair grows back like a big fuzzball.

EDIT: I just noticed what kind of dog you have. A Spaniel/Doxy mix. In her case, the hair would probably grow back normally. Most Spaniels get regular haircuts and the hair grows back normally. So, it's really a cosmetic thing.

Pro is right about some dog's hair growing back like a fuzzball after being shaved! LOL! Honestly, in a lot of breeds it does destroy and permanantley change the looke of their coat. I personally can't stand shaved dogs, but I understand why some people do it.

 

[schmitzgirly94]

Hmm... Does anyone have any pictures of
shaved dogs? I just wanted to see some more examples
of dogs that had been shaved.

 

[bubbatd]

EliN has one ...if I can find it for her !!!

 

[sparks19]

I also am under the impression that having their coats regulates their heating and cooling. You have to shave the hair between the pads of their feet. THAT helps them stay cool the most. Or get one of those thermo regulating beds.

 

[Fran27]

Yes it's what I thought too... It regulates their temperature, whether it's to be warm or cool, and I would never personally shave a dog, unless they were so matted there was no other choice or something...

And I know it's an old post, just added this for future reference if someone does a search on shaving

 

[princess puppies]

i shave my maremma sheep dog most and it usally makes her heeps cooler in summar and her coat usally grows back fine.

 

[Athebeau]

schmitzgirly94, I will post pictures of our old Newf that we had to shave down. It did help her keep cooler in the summer, she hated being groomed so it was more humane for her to be shaved down. It also helped her live a longer life.

The outer coat can help protect them from the sun....but, in some cases it's more beneficial to be shaved down.

The reasons for shaving/or education on brushing are:
Owners buying a breed and the dog grows more coat than expected...
The owner is not brushing properly, either show owner how to brush, or if the owner cannot keep up and asks the dog be shaved then we will do that for them...of course warning them of what the coat may turn out to look like. For us it's a case of humanity before vaniety...if it's going to benefit the dog being shave then so be it...and an ungroomed double coated breed is not going to be healthy, comfortable or happy....and will actually cause the dog to overheat.

A double coated dog that is not properly groomed is more a health issue than shaving a dog. I can't tell you how many double coated dogs that were not properly looked after developed hot spots, which turned into breeding grounds for flies...and develop maggots.

As mentioned the only problem is that most times the coat does not grow in properly..the under coat grows faster giving a fuzzy look..plus after wards the coat is harder to care for.


Alot of working dogs with double coats get shaved as well. From what I have seen first hand in my 40 years...I have not yet seen a double coated breed suffer from being shaved, on the contrary they seem to thrive as they don't have all that coat.