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Not all dogs benefit from a summer haircut or shave

It would be impossible to count how many times each summer a professional groomer is asked to shave a client’s dog in an attempt to make it fresher. Here in rural Montana, where the summers are scorching, I have received requests to shave just about every breed imaginable. It’s a common misconception that all dogs would automatically be cooler if they had less fur.

The first thing that is important to consider is what type of hair the dog has. All dogs can be basically divided into two groups. First of all we have those who need to get their hair cut on a regular basis, such as poodles, shih tzus, cocker spaniels, lhasa apsos, terriers, etc. Dogs in this group have hair that would continue to grow longer and longer until cut. These breeds can be shaved without any problem. Removing excess fur by shaving it off in hot weather will make it more comfortable and cool, and won’t damage the dog’s coat. However, this is not the case with the second group.

This group of dogs is made up of all other breeds, longhaired or shorthaired, whose hair grows to a single length and then stays at that length. These dogs tend to shed much more than the dogs in the first group. These include Retrievers, Pomeranians, Great Pyranees, Chow Chows, Pugs, German Shepherds, Huskies, and the list goes on and on. Their fur acts as insulation against the elements and should never be shaved. After all, do you remove the insulation from your house in the summer to make it cooler? Absolutely not, and the same goes for these dogs as well.

The coat of dogs in the second group consists of two different types of hair, a soft, fluffy undercoat, and coarser, coarser hairs called guard hairs. These two types of hairs are actually designed to tangle together and form a hard coat around the animal to keep its temperature regulated in extreme weather conditions. Without proper brushing and grooming on a regular basis, this often happens, leading the owner to the false conclusion that the coat needs to be shaved to keep the dog feeling fresher. However, shaving the fur of these dogs removes their heat insulation, which actually makes these dogs feel hotter and more uncomfortable. Shaving also makes them more prone to sunburn.

It’s important to understand that if you make the decision to go ahead and shave these types of dogs anyway, their coat will never be the same. Shaving will change the coat forever. The hair not only grows back very slowly, but also grows back much softer and sparser. The coat color will also be different, as the hair will be at least two shades lighter than before.

One of the worst things about shaving a dog with this type of hair is that the dog can develop what we call clipper alopecia. In simple terms, it just means that the hair does not grow back. This is caused by a change in the guard hairs when they are cut. Clipper’s alopecia usually first develops in a patch on the dog’s back, located just in front of the tail. After shaving, only a thin layer of hair will grow back, usually reaching a maximum length of about half an inch. Dogs that develop this condition have coats that appear moth-eaten. This is not an attractive sight!

Ok, so what happens if you have a dog that is glued to the skin and seems to be too hot in this mild weather? Seek the advice of a properly trained hairdresser to determine the best course of action. With the many miracle grooming products on the market, many times these coats can be saved with a couple of intense grooming sessions and a little daily grooming effort on the part of the owner. This optimizes the dog’s coat to properly perform its insulation tasks. Occasionally, the coat really can’t be repaired and, in fact, has to be shaved off to start over. Your hairdresser can help you with this decision and give you advice on how to avoid this situation in the future.

It is important to note that if you have a mixed breed dog, it can be difficult to determine which group the dog falls into. Most groomers can assess a dog’s coat after inspecting it to find out which group the dog is in and what course of action to take, the risks involved, etc.

As a former professional groomer, I firmly believe that it is the responsibility of the groomer to fully explain these things to clients who wish to shave their dogs. It is important to share knowledge with clients in order to make the best possible decision for the pet that needs grooming.

COPYRIGHT 2008 Shannon Heggem

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