Shaving off a double coat can lead to a kind of alopecia in the hair follicles, depending on where in the cycle of rotation of the hair follicle the clip down occurs in, that can lead to permanent loss of hair or change in the texture of the coat. Soft undercoat does need to be shed out, but it should NOT be shaved down. As pictured here with the little black and tan Pomeranian mix, the coat that grows back is harsh, and cannot become the double coat it once was with a shiny, weather-resistant outer layer and an insulating undercoat. Its just all like a Brillo pad one uses on pots in the sink – undercoat trying to be both top and bottom coat. Its a tragic outcome for both pet and owner.
And whereas we have ONE hair per follicle, dogs have on average between 5 and 22 hairs per follicle. They have primary hairs and secondary hairs that lack a cortex. Their hair/fur is in a constant state of rotation between the three growth stages – anagen, catagen, telogen. That is new hairs growing in, old hairs falling out, and mature hairs resting in between. Lots of activity all going on inside one follicle.
Long hair on dogs needs to be cut regularly because without regular haircuts, the dog may be carrying around tons of matted coat, leading to misery for the dog as well as the owner. This is especially important in the winter – wet snow and dry air means the hair mats more easily. Pet owners who think that a trip to the groomer in the winter is bad because their dog’s weather protection will be cut off NEED NOT WORRY – we don’t do that at Love Fur Dogs. More than any other breeds, dogs with long and curly hair need regular professional grooming, especially in the winter. Clean, dry, mat free hair is a dog’s best protection from the elements.
We will advise against shaving down any fur-type dog, such as a flat coat, like a Golden Retriever, because as it grows back the coat will be less sleek, more fuzzy, and will not lay flat as before once clipped. When deciding whether or not to clip wire or hard coated breeds like Westies, Schnauzers, Cairn Terriers, etc, we will discuss options with the owners advising them that clipping the coat will soften the wire coat and even cause it to fade. However many terrier owners make the decision that they don’t mind the softened, faded coat that comes with clipping a wire/hard coated breed and some prefer not to commit to a lifetime of handstripping wire coats, which is what it would take to preserve that hardness. At Love Fur Dogs we WILL HANDSTRIP wire coats – we know how to do it and we know what kind of coat benefits from that. But many wire coats that are clippered, with the softened and faded coat that results, still usually live happy, comfortable lives and still look closely like what their breed standard calls for.
Shaving a double coated dog does not stop the shedding – it only makes the hair that is shed shorter. Little spikes of hair laying around your house can be even harder to deal with than the regular length hair that is shed off your Best Friend!
Washington Post: Dogs and Cats Can Usually Deal with the Heat, but Their Owners Must Be Careful, 7/9/12
Fur also keeps all sorts of unpleasant things from coming in contact with your pet’s skin, such as allergens, insects and lawn care products. Without the protection that hair provides, your pet may be more likely to develop painful rashes or bites after spending a little time in the yard.
Although wearing a fur coat in the summer might increase your risk of heat stroke, the same isn’t true for your pets. Their coats actually provide a built-in heating and cooling system. During the winter, your dog or cat’s fur offers warmth when it lays flat against the body. When temperatures soar, the individual hairs in your pet’s coat stand upright, maximizing air flow.
The tips can help your pet stay cool during the dog (and cat) days of summer:
Cutting or shaving your pet’s hair interferes with your dog or cat’s ability to stay cool. Although you may have the best intentions when you turn on the clippers, your pet may have more trouble regulating heat after a shave or haircut. Shaving can even affect your pet for years to come if hair doesn’t grow back again after a shave or grows in an abnormal pattern. The problem is particularly harmful if your dogs’ undercoat doesn’t grow back completely. Without that protective layer of hair, your dog will have trouble handling both hot and cold temperatures.
Well, think again. Many dogs should not be shaved at all, depending on their coat type. Shaving can actually have the opposite effect of what you intend and make your dog even hotter. Here are some insights on shaving your dog, and some steps you can take instead to keep your dog healthy in hot weather.
Temperatures are soaring, your dog is panting, and there’s dog hair all over the house. You might be thinking that a good, close shave down could help cool your dog off while eliminating some of that furry mess.
Certain types of single-coated dogs may benefit from having a professional groomer clip their coats occasionally to prevent matting and to keep them cooler, but the coats should not be shaved down to the skin. It is best to leave at least one-inch of hair to protect them from sunburn, skin cancer, and from bug bites. These dogs don’t have the added insulation of an undercoat, so they need to keep at least one inch of hair to for warmth and protection.
AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
Dogs also have merocrine sweat glands that function similarly to human sweat glands, however they are located only in a dog’s paw pads, and they activate when the dog is hot to cool him down.
What To Do If You Cut the Nail Quick of Your Dog
A summer haircut may help you feel more comfortable during hot, humid summer weather, but it won’t have the same effect on your pet. In fact, cutting or shaving your pet’s fur can actually compromise your furry friend’s ability to remain cool.
Although wearing a fur coat in the summer might increase your risk of heat stroke, the same isn’t true for your pets. Their coats actually provide a built-in heating and cooling system. During the winter, your dog or cat’s fur offers warmth when it lays flat against the body. When temperatures soar, the individual hairs in your pet’s coat stand upright, maximizing air flow.
Some breeds, such as Chow Chows, Alaskan Huskies, Sheepdogs, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Scottish Terriers and Shih Tzus, have double coats that keep them comfortable whether it’s warm or sunny or snowing and frigid outdoors. The undercoat, the layer of hair closest to the body, insulates your dog’s body during the winter. During the summer, the undercoat prevents your pet from becoming too hot by keeping cooler air next to the skin.
Cutting or shaving your pet’s hair interferes with your dog or cat’s ability to stay cool. Although you may have the best intentions when you turn on the clippers, your pet may have more trouble regulating heat after a shave or haircut. Shaving can even affect your pet for years to come if hair doesn’t grow back again after a shave or grows in an abnormal pattern. The problem is particularly harmful if your dogs’ undercoat doesn’t grow back completely. Without that protective layer of hair, your dog will have trouble handling both hot and cold temperatures.
Sunburn isn’t normally a concern when you have a furry pet – unless you shave or cut their hair. Hair protects their sensitive skin from the rays of the sun, preventing burns and reducing the skin cancer risk. Applying sunscreen before trips outdoors is a must if your dog has thin or shaved hair.
Fur also keeps all sorts of unpleasant things from coming in contact with your pet’s skin, such as allergens, insects and lawn care products. Without the protection that hair provides, your pet may be more likely to develop painful rashes or bites after spending a little time in the yard.
The tips can help your pet stay cool during the dog (and cat) days of summer:
Allowing your pet’s natural cooling system to do its job is the best way to keep your furry friend cool this summer. If you have a question about your pet’s health or need to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Washington Post: Dogs and Cats Can Usually Deal with the Heat, but Their Owners Must Be Careful, 7/9/12