Should I Shave My Dog in the Summer?
As the summer heats up, many pet owners are wondering the same thing: Should I shave my dog?
Quick answer: Yes and No. If you have a dog breed that just has a single coat of fur, shaving them may help keep them cool in the summer. However, be wary of getting the hair too short, otherwise, your dog’s back is going to face the full wrath of the sun’s strong summer rays.
If you have a double-coated breed such as a Borden Collie, Aussie Shepherd, or Golden Retriever, they have thick coats so you may think you’re helping them out. However, keep reading to find out why shaving might not be the best option.
Double Coats
A dog having a double coat means they have two layers of fur to protect against colder weather. The two layers serve different purposes to keep your dog warm.
The top layer of a double coat is meant to protect against ice and snow and repel water. The softer undercoats’ job is to keep your pooch dry and warm. In the winter this undercoat can get very thick in order to keep your dog insulated.
In the summer, your pup will then shed most of the undercoat leaving just the top layer. The top guard hairs will then work all summer long to keep the sun off your dog’s back and protect them from getting a sunburn. With the undercoat gone, air can circulate freely through your dog’s guard hairs, keeping your pup cool.
Single-coated dog breeds have hair that will continue to grow over time, without shedding an underlayer. This means that you can shave the hair on these breeds and the hair will grow back the same as it was.
However, it’s a different story for a double-coat dog.
Shaving a Double Coat
If you shave a double-coated dog, you will notice their hair will grow back quickly. What is really happening is that the new hair growing in is the fur of the softer undercoat. This is the hair that stays very close to your pup’s skin to keep them warm in the winter. Unfortunately, this layer of hair will have the same effect in the summer and your dog will be extra toasty with all that extra fur.
Also, since the undercoat will grow in faster than the overcoat, your dog’s fur will act almost like Velcro. When you bring your dog inside, you will probably notice that everything they touched has stuck to them. This includes things like burrs, seeds, grass, or even bugs.
How to Keep a Double Coat Dog Cool
The best way to keep your double-coat cool in the summer is to make sure they stay nicely groomed. This means brushing your dog’s hair regularly to remove the undercoat and keep their guard hairs free from tangles.
If this seems like too big of a job, take your dog to the groomer and they will have the equipment to do this job as efficiently and effectively as possible. Just make sure to explain to your groomer that you do not want your pup shaved.
If you prefer to groom your dog yourself, check out this article with tips and tricks on how to groom double-coated dogs!
Instead of shaving your dog during the hot summer months, try other methods to keep them cool like having lots of extra water, staying in the shade, and taking them for a swim!