Some dog breeds just don't need to be shaved...
- Thread starter Laurelin
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^^^ OK, that reason for shaving a dog makes me nuts! Why choose a GSD, one of the heaviest shedders, if someone in the house cannot stand any shed dog hair anywhere?!? 
Why didn't they research instead, and get a very low-shedding breed? It doesn't mean they have to get a small or toy breed! Standard poodles and Standard Schnauzers are non-shedding and still large dogs. If that was not an option, there are ways to at least control shedding through a good quality diet and keeping up with careful grooming. True, it cannot be eliminated in a shedding breed though. So again, if someone can't stand any dog hair they should just choose a low-shedder.
^^^ Exactly, another good reason! Part of owning a rough Collie is that breathtakingly beautiful coat ... but it does take some care to maintain. So? But if the problem is that someone doesn't want to keep up with the grooming a rough Collie requires, then why didn't they just choose a smooth Collie?
^^^ :yikes:
Breaks my heart to see an obese Golden!! Strains their cardiovascular systems and their joints.
That poor baby needs:
a.) A thyroid test, & possible synthetic thyroid meds if test is positive
b.) A good weight management diet
c.) A gentle, but regular exercise program of several long walks per day ... also swimming if an appropriate area is available. Running and jumping would not be good at that dog's current weight ... too many additional pounds of pressure on already-strained joints could lead to early osteoarthritis.
Why didn't they research instead, and get a very low-shedding breed? It doesn't mean they have to get a small or toy breed! Standard poodles and Standard Schnauzers are non-shedding and still large dogs. If that was not an option, there are ways to at least control shedding through a good quality diet and keeping up with careful grooming. True, it cannot be eliminated in a shedding breed though. So again, if someone can't stand any dog hair they should just choose a low-shedder.
^^^ Exactly, another good reason! Part of owning a rough Collie is that breathtakingly beautiful coat ... but it does take some care to maintain. So? But if the problem is that someone doesn't want to keep up with the grooming a rough Collie requires, then why didn't they just choose a smooth Collie?
Hippo... I mean golden retriever:
Breaks my heart to see an obese Golden!! Strains their cardiovascular systems and their joints.
That poor baby needs:
a.) A thyroid test, & possible synthetic thyroid meds if test is positive
b.) A good weight management diet
c.) A gentle, but regular exercise program of several long walks per day ... also swimming if an appropriate area is available. Running and jumping would not be good at that dog's current weight ... too many additional pounds of pressure on already-strained joints could lead to early osteoarthritis.
I'm not touching the overweight thing, and I agree that keeping a dog around the idea weight isn't that hard.
but on the shaving topic:
I think when people are going to BUY a dog, since there are so many different breeds, choosing what you want in terms of hair is a key thing to consider. Like with the collies, if you don't want to keep up with heavy grooming requirements, get a smooth.
However, not everyone shaves their dog just bc they dont' want to brush them.
Also, what if the dog wasn't bought? What if they got it out of a rescue? In that case, they may have decided on that dog bc his temperment was perfect for their family, and the hair was something that went with the dog. I would much rather see a dog live in a house with a family and be shaved year round, then stay in the pound(where they may end up being put to sleep).
I don't like when people write something off like "shaving your dog" as you being unfit to care for that dog. There are so many MORE IMPORTANT things that people can worry over. and the only case that I can see getting irritated about is if some PICKS OUT AND BUYS a puppy that they just plan on shaving cause they don't like the hair. But even with that, as long as they did take care of the dog, I don't see how that is a life or death situation either.
but on the shaving topic:
I think when people are going to BUY a dog, since there are so many different breeds, choosing what you want in terms of hair is a key thing to consider. Like with the collies, if you don't want to keep up with heavy grooming requirements, get a smooth.
However, not everyone shaves their dog just bc they dont' want to brush them.
Also, what if the dog wasn't bought? What if they got it out of a rescue? In that case, they may have decided on that dog bc his temperment was perfect for their family, and the hair was something that went with the dog. I would much rather see a dog live in a house with a family and be shaved year round, then stay in the pound(where they may end up being put to sleep).
I don't like when people write something off like "shaving your dog" as you being unfit to care for that dog. There are so many MORE IMPORTANT things that people can worry over. and the only case that I can see getting irritated about is if some PICKS OUT AND BUYS a puppy that they just plan on shaving cause they don't like the hair. But even with that, as long as they did take care of the dog, I don't see how that is a life or death situation either.
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OK, but I never said that. It's possible you might be reading into what I did say b/c of earlier objections to shaving, along with reasons given in those posts by others.
Some people do shave because they either don't want or cannot deal with the extensive and regular grooming long-haired dogs require. Granted, it's not the reason you stated for shaving. But for other people, their dog becames matted so they just have it shaved. Again, not the reason you are shaving, but for some people this is true. Many long-haired breeds come into shelters or rescue terribly, horribly matted and not just the strays.
When I volunteered back home for a shelter/all-breed rescue, there were long-haired dogs (and cats) who were owner turn-ins ... turned in terribly matted because the owners either would not or simply could not deal with the required upkeep those coats require. These dogs and cats were very uncomfortable, with matts down to the skin causing constant pulling and irritation. At that point we had no alternative but to shave them, there's just no way to get out matts so firm they look and feel like solid masses.
Also, I still contend that people who cannot deal at all with shedding should simply choose low-shedders, whether those dogs are bought or from rescues. People will have to wait longer, but low-shedders with good temperament do come into shelters and rescue. My sister adopted one several years ago.
Some people do shave because they either don't want or cannot deal with the extensive and regular grooming long-haired dogs require. Granted, it's not the reason you stated for shaving. But for other people, their dog becames matted so they just have it shaved. Again, not the reason you are shaving, but for some people this is true. Many long-haired breeds come into shelters or rescue terribly, horribly matted and not just the strays.
When I volunteered back home for a shelter/all-breed rescue, there were long-haired dogs (and cats) who were owner turn-ins ... turned in terribly matted because the owners either would not or simply could not deal with the required upkeep those coats require. These dogs and cats were very uncomfortable, with matts down to the skin causing constant pulling and irritation. At that point we had no alternative but to shave them, there's just no way to get out matts so firm they look and feel like solid masses.
Also, I still contend that people who cannot deal at all with shedding should simply choose low-shedders, whether those dogs are bought or from rescues. People will have to wait longer, but low-shedders with good temperament do come into shelters and rescue. My sister adopted one several years ago.
So you would rather have dogs sit in the shelter, even though there are people who want them due to their personality, but would keep them shaved do to their hair?
My point with defending shaving is that even though some people shave for reasons other than not wanting to deal with the hair, even those that do may still have a good reason.
Now the dogs that you had turned in you said were matted, but what if those owners kept them shaved, and kept them? Would you disagree with that?
If a dogs home depends on him getting shaved year round or not, I would be more concerned about the home than the shaving.
The only time I don't agree with people getting a dog and shaving it year round, is when they are planning on buying a puppy from a breeder. There are so many different breeds of dogs, I would hope they think of ALL their needs when buying one. But even if someone did buy a dog and kept it shaved, as long as they took care of it I would still be happy that they are taking care of it, and it has a good home.
My point with defending shaving is that even though some people shave for reasons other than not wanting to deal with the hair, even those that do may still have a good reason.
Now the dogs that you had turned in you said were matted, but what if those owners kept them shaved, and kept them? Would you disagree with that?
If a dogs home depends on him getting shaved year round or not, I would be more concerned about the home than the shaving.
The only time I don't agree with people getting a dog and shaving it year round, is when they are planning on buying a puppy from a breeder. There are so many different breeds of dogs, I would hope they think of ALL their needs when buying one. But even if someone did buy a dog and kept it shaved, as long as they took care of it I would still be happy that they are taking care of it, and it has a good home.
It annoys the hell out of me when people purchase long-coated breeds of dog and go ahead and shave it all off. WHY get a long haired dog if you are going to shave all the hair off?
And shaving a SHORTHAIRED dog like a Lab or Golden? OMG. How stupid can you be? if I were a groomer I would flat out refuse to serve stupid people.
And shaving a SHORTHAIRED dog like a Lab or Golden? OMG. How stupid can you be? if I were a groomer I would flat out refuse to serve stupid people.
There's more to choosing a dog than hair. Mollie is a poodle/pomeranian mix and we keep her shaved. Should we have left Mollie behind just because we didn't want to brush and trim her constantly? Brushing her every day is a pain in the @ss and she hates having it done, but if we don't brush her every day she gets mats. And she LOVES having short hair, there is a total change in her personality when she is shaved, she turns into a puppy again! We didn't have her as a puppy, so we could acclimate her to daily grooming, she hates it so much. I have desensitized her to sit through it, but she doesn't like it.
First shaved.
Now.
First shaved.
Now.
There's more to choosing a dog than hair. Mollie is a poodle/pomeranian mix and we keep her shaved. Should we have left Mollie behind just because we didn't want to brush and trim her constantly? Brushing her every day is a pain in the @ss and she hates having it done, but if we don't brush her every day she gets mats. And she LOVES having short hair, there is a total change in her personality when she is shaved, she turns into a puppy again! We didn't have her as a puppy, so we could acclimate her to daily grooming, she hates it so much. I have desensitized her to sit through it, but she doesn't like it.
First shaved.
Now.
First shaved.
Now.
I think theres a difference though. poodle ahir (and other breeds) do need to be groomed and shaved (in some form).
My point is. why get a roguh collie if you are going to shave it? Why nopt get a smooth.
Why get a roguh chiuhauha if you are going to shave it? get a smooth.
why get a golden ret. if you are going to shave it? Get a lab.
and so on,
Are Golden Retrievers now the long-coated version of Labs?
I totally agree with Boemy. It really is a non-issue. Dogs are, in fact, individuals. You can try to predict coat type/length/shedding, but it really does depend on the dog. I have never met a BC who sheds like Gonzo sheds. I brush him out on a daily basis, and once a week he gets a thorough grooming session. The hair still comes flying right after I've brushed him out for an hour. I have learned to manage it, but I never expected to have a dog that sheds like this, and I wouldn't blame the average owner for wanting to get him clipped during full-on shedding seasons.
I would be upset if some one got a dog, didn't realize the amount of shedding, and re-homed the dog for it. But, if they opted to clip them a couple of times a year? Yes... getting them professionally groomed/shedding treatment would be much better, but as long as the dog is healthy and grows hair back perfectly fine, what is the harm in clipping besides looking unsightly at times?
I totally agree with Boemy. It really is a non-issue. Dogs are, in fact, individuals. You can try to predict coat type/length/shedding, but it really does depend on the dog. I have never met a BC who sheds like Gonzo sheds. I brush him out on a daily basis, and once a week he gets a thorough grooming session. The hair still comes flying right after I've brushed him out for an hour. I have learned to manage it, but I never expected to have a dog that sheds like this, and I wouldn't blame the average owner for wanting to get him clipped during full-on shedding seasons.
I would be upset if some one got a dog, didn't realize the amount of shedding, and re-homed the dog for it. But, if they opted to clip them a couple of times a year? Yes... getting them professionally groomed/shedding treatment would be much better, but as long as the dog is healthy and grows hair back perfectly fine, what is the harm in clipping besides looking unsightly at times?
Ok here is a reason to get a long haired dog and shave it in the summer. I want a dog who can hang out in the winter. Winter in these parts can have stretches with lows of -40 (which is the same C or F) Summers can have stretches of 100+ with 100% humidity. So if you get a dog who has no issues with the summers, you are going to have to but coats on. If you get one that has no issues with the winters you are going to have suffering dogs in the summer. (or shave a belly, or what ever it takes to get the dog comfortable) Or you can get a med coated dog which will be a bit hot in the summer and a bit cold in the winter.
I love the long haired JRTs. I can hand strip them down in the spring and let them get hairy for winter. The best of both worlds. (though they still all have coats)
I love the long haired JRTs. I can hand strip them down in the spring and let them get hairy for winter. The best of both worlds. (though they still all have coats
)