Summer Shave
Photo by Reba Spike on Unsplash
Summer is around the corner and most of us who live in Houston will wear fewer clothes to stay cool. Despite what many dog owners think, dogs don’t necessarily benefit from the same thing— a shave in the summer. In fact, for most breeds, shaving down a coat has the opposite effect. The only thing that changes this is when any dog is severely matted.
“Pet owners might be tempted to have the groomer shave the pet to the skin, but dogs need at least a quarter inch of fur to protect them from sunburn,” said Elizabeth Toc, co-owner of Tailored Tail. “That quarter inch of fur also protects them from skin cancer, irritants and bug bites.”
This is especially true of double coated dogs, who have a soft, inner coat of hair close to their skin that insulates them, keeping them warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. In summer, a dog will shed much of its under- layer, but what they don’t shed is useful, as it captures air between the two coat layers, allowing the dog to regulate its temperature. Toc says the outer coat gives dogs their color and it doesn’t shed as much. So a shave isn’t really needed for the majority of these dogs. What they need is a brushout to get rid of the undercoat that gets stuck beneath the outer layer. If not brushed out correctly it will cause matting, especially after water activities.
Examples of double-coated dogs are Golden Retrievers, Pomeranians, German Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Siberian Huskies, and Great Pyrenees.
As for single-coated dogs, shaving is up to the pet owner but Toc recommends discussing your concerns about the heat with your groomer. Single coated dogs especially need protection from the sun so talking about your pet’s summer activities is a must.
“Sometimes shaving dogs is our only option when their fur is matted, it limits discomfort and stress. But if their hair is well-maintained and professionally groomed often, a shorter version of their usual haircut is all they need,” she said.
There are alternatives to shaving that keep dogs safe in the summer. Here are some hot-weather grooming tips to keep your pet comfortable.
Brush your dog’s fur regularly. This eliminates dead hair, prevents matting, and allows for better air circulation in their coat.
Give your dog regular cool baths to keep them clean and free of pests.
Since your dog’s cooling sweat glands are located on their feet, keeping their pads trimmed of excess fur can help the sweat evaporate and cool them off.
Groomers suggest it’s also a good idea to keep a dog’s legs and stomach trimmed of very long hair to enhance cooling.
Make sure your dog always has access to cool water and shade, takes walks and exercises only during the coolest parts of the day, and is never left unattended in a vehicle, even for just a few minutes.
Some dogs do struggle in the heat, and the ASPCA recommends if a shave is necessary, allow a groomer to handle the shorter cut to be sure it is done safely.