During this time of year, most of North America experiences intense heat. Dogs also experience the heat, so many owners of double-coated, furry breeds ask themselves, “Should I shave my dog for the summer?”
No, you shouldn’t shave your dog in the summer, is the quick response. This also applies to other double-coated breeds, not just the extremely furry Northern breeds. Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, and Shelties are double-coated herding breeds. The same can be said for Labradors, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Golden Retrievers, and many other breeds. You shouldn’t shave any of these breeds in summer.
Double-coated breeds have two layers to protect against cold weather. The outer layer’s long guard hairs shield against snow or ice and even shed water. Your dog’s soft undercoat keeps moisture and heat away from the skin. This undercoat can be so thick in the winter that it might be difficult to locate your dog’s skin.
Your dog should shave off his soft undercoat in the summer, leaving only the guard hairs. The guard hairs’ role in warm weather is to shield your dog from the sun and keep him warm. Air can flow through the guard hairs without the undercoat, cooling the skin.
Double-coated breeds’ hair grows to a certain length and then stops growing, in contrast to single-coated breeds, whose hair just keeps growing. Therefore, you can shave a breed with a single coat down and the coat will grow back without actually changing it. But that’s not true for double coats.
Your double-coated dog will likely start to grow new hair fairly quickly if you shave him. Unfortunately, the undercoat—that soft, fuzzy hair that lies close to the skin and keeps your dog warm—grows first. Since the guard hairs grow more slowly, you’ll soon notice them blending in with the soft undercoat.
You’ll likely also notice at this point that the texture of the new double coat doesn’t feel quite the same as it did earlier. It tends to be “sticky” and Velcro-like. Your dog will enter the house from the yard covered in burrs, seeds, grass, twigs, and whatever other plant life he came into contact with.
Your dog will become hot in the summer due to the guard hairs’ soft undercoat, which blocks the air from reaching his skin and inhibits the body’s natural cooling process. Additionally, the undercoat’s texture absorbs sunlight and causes overheating.
Additionally, his newly sticky coat will be more likely to mat in the winter, which can result in skin irritations like hot spots. Additionally, it may increase your dog’s risk of developing those “felted” mats under his chin, in his armpits, groin, or behind his ears.
Some dogs may even experience “post-clipping alopecia,” in which case their coats never fully regrow. When this occurs, endocrine conditions like hypothyroidism are frequently to blame. According to one study, melatonin therapy can treat this particular type of alopecia.
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The sun is shining and the weather is warm. You’ll go to any lengths to care for your pets, and now that summer has arrived, you’re wondering if all that fur will cause your dog or cat to become overheated. Should you learn how to shave a dog or cat? Can shaving pets keep them cool on hot days?
Continue reading to learn how animals stay cool in hot weather and whether or not it’s a good idea to shave your pet.
But Should I Shave My Dog for Summer?
Not really. Consider frequent brushing to remove stray hair and a regular trimming schedule instead of shaving. Here’s a crucial point: According to their breed standard, some breeds may require clipper work or scissoring, according to Sholar “This is generally the undetermined coat length breeds,” she says. “By undetermined, were referring to breeds whose coats naturally grow continuously due to genetics.” “.
By understanding the type of coat your dog has, youll know which dog breeds shouldnt be shaved. Christies Direct notes there are six dog coat types:
The best way to determine whether your dog needs to be shaved, according to Sholar, is to ask a breeder for a few maintenance lessons. However, what if you don’t have access to one? What if your dog is a hybrid with an odd coat mix because of genetics? What if you adopted a rescue dog and don’t know who his breed parents are? In these situations, a professional groomer will be your best option.
Credit: Evgenia Glinskaia / Getty
For instance, if you have a Yorkie, she’ll probably have a long, silky coat that looks like hair and grows continuously, just like human hair. To keep her cool, a groomer may suggest a variety of trims, such as a clip that leaves about an inch of fur on the majority of her body.
However, Sholar advises against shaving short-haired breeds, such as beagles. She continues, “The coat shields their skin from the sun and prevents sunburn—yes, dogs can get sunburned just like we can.” It’s uncommon, but the only time I’ve ever shaved a short-coated dog was at the veterinarian’s request. “.
The Dangers of Shaving Double-Coated Dogs
You may occasionally come across images of shaved husky dogs online, like a Siberian husky or an Alaskan Klee Kai, or a shaved Bernese mountain dog, but that only results in irreparable problems with the coat’s texture and growth. Double-coated dogs—the ones that blow coat about twice a year, which has you cleaning up dog fur for weeks!
The purpose of double coats is clear, especially for dogs that live in colder climates. When it’s cold outside, a dog is protected by its soft undercoat, according to Sholar. “The dog’s outer coat shields its undercoat from snow and rain during the cold months.” The outer coat, with its guard hairs, allows for air circulation and shields a pup’s skin from the heat and potential sun damage. In warmer weather, the undercoat sheds (a lot!)
That’s right, all that fur serves as a highly advanced thermal control system.