Shaving Your Dog

[jenluckenbach]

You know what.........this argument is getting really "OLD".

Is it not personal preference? Don't poodle, cocker spaniel, schnauzer, terrier, (etc.) owners get their dogs shaved? (and remember, when I say SHAVE I mean they have a clipper blade used on them........they are not buck NAKED) Any why do they do it? Some do it for convinience. Brushing all the hair that the dog would grow if left natural might be difficult for their schedules. So when sheltie, chow, golder retriever, keeshond, border collie (etc.) owners have their dogs shaved because it is convienient for them to care for the dogs coat, why to we scorn them??

Most of these dogs getting shaved (remember.....NOT BALD) are pampered indoor pets. They aren't broiling out in the hot sun getting sun burned or heat stroke. They are inside lounging in the air conditioning. They get to spend more time having "dog-fun" instead of tedious daily groomings to care for their excessive coats.

I think I would worry more about the pet owners who's dogs are 30% (and more) overweight having heat stroke than a double coated collie who was shaved down.

Now can't we just agree that people who have a pet (be it a dog or a cat or a goat or a horse) and choose to have their pet's hair cut short is NOT killing their animal??????

just my humble opinion. And by the way I shave several of my own cats for various reasons and their hair have never been damaged by it.

[Jessika]

Most of these dogs getting shaved (remember.....NOT BALD) are pampered indoor pets. They aren't broiling out in the hot sun getting sun burned or heat stroke. They are inside lounging in the air conditioning. They get to spend more time having "dog-fun" instead of tedious daily groomings to care for their excessive coats.

It does not matter if a dog is outdoors for five hours or five minutes. Heat stroke can happen unannounced and without warning regardless of how long the dog has been outside.

[Logan]

Jessika, you are a very opinionated person, obviously. I think Jen's point and mine is that its a matter of personal preference and I would dare anyone to tell me that I am not cautious enough when it comes to the health of my dogs. I know you're going to disagree with me on this one, too, since i just read your statement about the dogs not shedding less......well, they may shed the exact same number of hairs, but I will promise you there is a lot LESS hair rolling around on my floor and in the brush when I brush her than there was before she was clipped down significantly. I won't believe a soul who tells me that she isn't more comfortable. She has to be because I'm not tugging on her so hard to try and get all that thick undercoat out. Brushing is fun now, not a chore.

OK, I'm done! I don't spend enough time on this site these days to get in an argument over something this silly.

Thanks for the discussion you guys!

Logan and a very happy Honey

[Jessika]

WOW, I honestly never meant to offend anyone over this, that was NOTTTTTTT the intent of the post. Calm down. I'm not out to get anyone!! Honest I'm not! lol

[Karen]

It does not matter if a dog is outdoors for five hours or five minutes. Heat stroke can happen unannounced and without warning regardless of how long the dog has been outside.

That is not true for people, so I cannot imagine it is any more true for dogs. The longer you are out in the sun, the more of a danger of heat stroke. It doesn't strike suddenly, it is a gradual thing.

My 2 cents, as I was blonde as a small child, am still fair-skinned, so my parents were always careful about how much sun I got at once (and vigilant with sunblock, as, being human, I don't have a plush fur coat to protect me)!

[Jessika]

Well I don't know if you can compare humans to dogs, as their bodies are the same, but different, but there was one case where a lady was walking a young Aussie (not necessarily a puppy though) and they were maybe ten minutes into the walk when he started suffering from heat stroke. Of course, she knew what to do, so he survived, but I can only imagine what would or could have happened under different circumstances.

EDIT: But you're entirely right, you don't have a fur coat to protect you, just like if you shave a dog down they no longer have their coat to protect them, either.

[Cataholic]

Gosh, who knew this was such a hot topic with people? Not I.

[dab_20]

Gosh, who knew this was such a hot topic with people? Not I.

I don't think it's a hot topic. People have different opinions.

[VTJess03]

It seems to me that if you're concerned with heat stroke, you should first and foremost be concerned with hydration, then providing shade/shelter while they're outside, and thirdly be concerned with their coat. Of course, it does matter where you are with regard to climate...humidity levels, shade availability, etc. will all play into the risk for heat stroke too, right?

If your pup is not well hydrated, it will get heat stroke much sooner than one that has had plenty of water, regardless of coat length. Providing plenty of shade and fresh, cool water should minimize your risk of heat stroke. I personally think close trims are not very cosmetically appealing on normally long-haired or thick-haired breeds, but can definitely sympathize with lower maintenance (I've cut my own hair shorter and have it thinned for summer maintenance ). Thankfully, my dogs don't require much coat maintenance anyway; Maggie has a very short, fine coat (coonhounds are bred for very hot, humid climate is my understanding) and Belle sheds her medium length undercoat very easily with some brushing.

I would suggest that when you are looking for a new dog, choose one that is suitable for your climate, if at all possible (I know how easy it is to absolutely fall in love with a particular breed though). This would also help avoid issues like heat stroke (or hypothermia in winter, I suppose).