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To shave or not to shave: summer hairstyles for the double coated dog
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In the heat of summer, I get at least one phone-call from a frustrated dog owner who's usual groomer refused to shave his or her dog. "They just won't do it, they said they didn't believe in it and left it at that", is what one current client , then total stranger, told me a few years back about his Golden Retreiver, Sam.
Many groomers do not like to shave dogs that have decidious coats, ever. Breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, Malamutes and Golden Retrievers have a seasonal cycle of hair growth that follows the weather in the Philadelphia region. They tend to produce new hair and release old coat in the spring and again (although less-so) in the fall. The thick coated breeds that originate in Artic climates can appear to be wearing a down parka in hot weather. It makes sense that their humans feel bad for them and want to take it off. So why do so many breeders and groomers scowl when the subject is broached?
The thick coat that many dogs sport is an insulator much like the pink foam in the attic. It keeps the dog's body temperature constant while the air trapped in between the stringy undercoat blocks the outside air from interfering with the dog's metabolisms hard work. Dog's thermoregulate by painting, shivering, laying with their bellies exposed, curling up and laying flat on the ground. The hair-coat essentially stops the weather from unwanted changes to those effects, both hot and cold.
The most advantageous thing we as thier people can do for them is to keep the coat brushed. Brushing and combing of the coat keeps dead hair from packing into the coat and leaves more open space in the center between the hard outer coat and the skin for air to accumulate and insulate. Matted fur lessens the effectiveness by the coat and can cause skin infections, pain and lead to worsening of flea and tick problems. Dogs that live outside should never be shaved, due to the risk of sun-burn and overheating.
If you have an inside dog, besides all the fun things like walks and potty breaks, you may decide that its easier to remove the coat in hot weather than to do all the brushing required and deal with all the shedding that is par for the course. The risks to an indoor pet who is shaved periodicly are mainly cosmetic and are similar to those of a wire coated terrier who is shaved.
The biggest problem with shaving these dogs is that the beautiful outer coat will not grow back properly. This is usually minor if the dog is only clippered once a year, but some breeds like Pomeranians, American Eskimos and Samoyeds can lose their topcoat faster than dogs like Labradors, Pugs and Rottwielers (yes people do shave those breeds too). Dogs with a thin coat tend to also not regrow hair as well and can suffer from Aquired Alopecia and eventually go bald. This is rare however; the coat damage generally consists of a duller coat color, less resiliance to tangles and odd growth patterns. Generally these things are avoided by only clipping once a year and maintenance throughout the year like bathing, brushing and use of shedding tools like the Furminator.
A rarer but more serious problem can occur from hair folicles that normally shed out dead hair not releasing that clipped hair. This can cause skin problems, that need veterinary treament. Avoiding this can include not clipping close to the skin, leaving at least 1/2" of hair and routine bathing and coat care. Sun-burn is an issue also prevented by leaving 1/2" or more of hair and not taking newly clipped pets into the sun for long periods of time.
You can minimize the risks to your pet by asking your groomer to leave as much hair as he feels skilled at leaving while still making your pet look good. If your groomer refuses to do anything but an "all or nothing" style, you can easily find one who will. It's a free country, and the decision to shave your dog is up to you; but remember that healthy coats begin with healthy diets, proper excerscise and frequent brushing and no groomer can do that for you!
Got a grooming question? Email Alex @ groomingphilly@hotmail.com
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