I shaved my dog years ago, which was a mistake that I’ll never get over.
I believed shaving him would make it simple for him to stay cool while we were out in the summer, but that didn’t work out. It just made everything worse. He was even less tolerant of the heat after that shave, and ten years later his coat still hadn’t grown back.
His once-sleek, lovely, shiny coat had turned into a rough, frizzy mess that required hours to manage. Shaving permanently damaged his coat, so he would have to put up with those dreadful grooming sessions for the rest of his life.
Although it may seem like a good idea to shave your dog for the summer, it isn’t always the case. In order to share my own experience and stop others from making the same error I did, I wrote this article.
Community Q&ADid you know you can get expert answers for this article?Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHowSearch
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. If you dont have professional grooming experience, its not advisable to shave your own dog—its much harder than it looks! Dogs need to be groomed in the right environment and with the right set of tools, tables, and equipment. 
Community Answer Up, or opposite the direction that the hair is lying. You want to shave upward against the fall, not with it. Going down, or “with the grain,” wont do much of anything. 
Community Answer Take very small scissors and trim down the hair around the paws making sure to keep your dog calm. However, you dont need to trim his paws. Advertisement
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Some dog owners hold the false belief that there are additional benefits to shaving that have also been disproven.
Diabetes can be difficult to control, especially in animals that lack the ability to verbally express their emotions. Recognizing the symptoms of diabetes in.
Even one shave could permanently harm a dog’s coat and make it more uncomfortable. Many dog owners believe that shaving is good for their pet, especially to stay cool in the summer.
It is never necessary to shave your dog, and it can actually be detrimental to your pet. Every dog owner can give their canine companion the best care by being aware of the risks of shaving and the best alternatives.
Many short-haired breeds can be easily shaved without causing issues, but there are risks involved and it is not necessary for the health or comfort of the dog. However, due to the issues that can arise from harming their intricately balanced coats, long-haired breeds with double coats should never be shaved. Golden retrievers, German shepherds, Siberian huskies, and other dogs that shed large clumps of fur (part of their undercoat) on a seasonal basis shouldn’t ever be shaved.
Understanding the Function of a Dog’s Coat
Because a dog’s skin is so much thinner than ours is, it needs more protection from irritants and dangerous substances in the environment. Their coat acts as a first line of defense against dangers from the outside. It aids in capturing dirt and other harmful substances that otherwise might hurt and irritate the dog’s skin upon contact. Additionally, it aids in shielding the skin from direct exposure to various environmental dangers like the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Some breeds, like Golden Retrievers, have hair and fur that repels water, keeping the skin dry and free from moisture, which is a common source of bacterial and fungal infections on the skin. Their coat is crucial in defending the skin against infection risks.
Dogs with double coats have a soft undercoat that is closer to the skin and serves as insulation, helping to control the dog’s body temperature. The undercoat hairs will contract in cold weather to help raise body temperature. Double-coated dogs shed some of their undercoat during warm weather, and the remaining hairs trap air to help the body cool off.
In double-coated breeds in particular, a dog’s coat aids in controlling body temperature in response to environmental temperature changes.
FAQ
What dogs should not be shaved?
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.
Can I shave my dog bald to get rid of fleas?
While shaving can sometimes make it easier for pet owners to determine whether their pet has fleas or help with the effects of an infestation, it is not a reliable flea treatment or preventative.
Will dog hair grow back if shaved?
The majority of shaved dogs’ hair will regrow completely between six weeks and four months. It does, however, depend on a number of variables, including the length and type of your dog’s coat. Shaving or close clipping can cause irreparable damage to a dog’s double coat.