Why We Don’t Shave Long Haired Dogs In Summer?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Our pets' coats have several layers that are essential to their comfort in the heat.

Robbing your dog or cat of this natural cooling system can lead to discomfort, overheating and other serious dangers like sunburn or skin cancer

.

Why you shouldn't shave a long haired dog?

a double-coat can also do long-term damage.

When it is shaved down to the skin, the undercoat hair will grow back faster, and sometimes will crowd out the slower-growing guard hairs

. This can change the texture and color of a dog's coat and make it appear patchy and unattractive.

Do dogs with long hair get hot in summer?

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.

Do you need to shave dogs in summer?

Though it may seem like a no-brainer to shave your dog or cat when summer comes, does it really keep pets cooler? Generally,

most experts recommend against shaving most pets, though there are exceptions

. Veterinarians often advise against shaving cats and dogs for a simple reason: Your pet's hair isn't like yours.

Does long hair keep a dog cool?

Contrary to popular belief,

shaving your long-haired dog (or cat) will not keep him/her cooler during the hot, summer months

. Unlike humans, the skin of dogs and cats does not contain the vast network of blood vessels and sweat glands designed to dissipate body heat during hot weather conditions.

Should I shave my golden retriever in summer?


You should never shave your Golden Retriever's hair, not even during the summer months

. Golden Retrievers have a double coat which work together to protect your pup in both the winter and the summer months.

What dog breeds should not be shaved?

Dogs such as

golden retrievers, German shepherds, Siberian huskies and any dog that seasonally sheds huge clumps of fur (part of its undercoat)

should never be shaved. It is a misconception that shaving will help keep a dog cool on hot days.

Can you shave a long haired German shepherd?

Before anything else,

it is not advisable to shave your German Shepherd's coat

. Shaving will take away your German Shepherd's protection from the cold and heat. Brushing and proper cutting will be sufficient. Shaving will affect your dog's natural protection from insect bites.

Do double coated dogs get hot?

The texture of the new coat coming through tends to be sticky and all manner of grass seeds, twigs and plants will stick to the dog's coat.

The texture of the soft undercoat will absorb the sun's rays, making your dog hotter in summer

.

Do fluffy dogs get hot?

But

if you have a fluffy pooch covered in fur, you may be concerned about them overheating

. Although dogs have natural ways to cool down, like panting, you still need to protect your pet when temperatures soar.

Is it OK to shave a long haired Chihuahua?

Grooming a long hair chihuahua is basically the same as grooming a short hair chihuahua with a few added steps. Give your dog a thorough brushing and get as many mats out as possible. You have 2 choices if your dog's hair is matted:

You can shave them

or you can de-mat them.

Should I shave my Labradoodle in the summer?

Are you supposed to shave Labradoodles?

Yes, shaving a Labradoodle keeps them cool during the summer months and helps prevent their hair from matting

. In addition, it will save you money as you can wait to groom them for a longer period of time!

Does dogs fur keep them warm?

Dogs and cats don't have that luxury, but their fur, which

keeps them warm in winter

, also protects them in the summer by preventing them from taking on too much heat. It's a fine system until it gets too hot, at which point it can be overwhelmed, with potentially dire consequences.

What happens if you shave a Golden?

Removing the double coat can cause a number of problems for your dog. When you remove this protective coat, you are exposing your dog's skin to the elements, and to the sun. This

can cause sunburn, skin conditions, and can cause your dog to overheat in the summer which can cause death from the shock to their system

.

How do you trim a golden retriever in the summer?

How do I keep my golden retriever cool in the summer?

  1. Encourage them to stay in shaded areas and away from direct sunlight.
  2. Put down damp towels for them to lie on.
  3. Fill a hot water bottle with cold water, but keep an eye out for any signs of chewing as the material could be harmful if swallowed.
  4. Put the garden sprinkler on.

Do dogs get embarrassed after haircut?

Pups are somewhat like human babies.

Grooming sessions can make them very uncomfortable and even sad

! In fact, it's not at all unusual to see your pup cowering from you or just looking very sad each time you bring him back from a grooming session.

Can shaving a dog hurt them?

Even when a dog has a hair-type coat that can be cut and shaved without permanent damage, shaving does not keep them cooler,

it can actually cause sunburn in the summer, overheating, and injury

. A Dog's coat is natural to them.

How do you groom a long-haired dog?

What happens if you shave your German Shepherd?

The undercoat is actually absorbent and slow drying. And in extreme cases, it can actually start to get moldy. It can also irritate their skin, cause infection, and make them uncomfortable. Shaving you GSD also

makes them susceptible to conditions, including alopecia, heatstroke, and skin cancer

.

Is it OK to cut German Shepherd hair?


In most cases, a German Shepherd will not need their hair cut

. Even with the long-haired variety of the breed, the German Shepherd's coat should not cause the dog any mobility, visibility or hygiene issues.

Do long-haired German shepherds have an undercoat?


The longer haired dogs don't actually have an undercoat

which can make their fur look a lot more sleek and shiny than an average German Shepherd's. This is one of the reasons why breeders and trainers all over the world favour these genetic miracle dogs, however the lack of an undercoat comes with certain problems.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.