Should You Shave Your Dog?

No, Brush or Trim Instead

Many articles insist shaving your dog’s thick double coat reduces insulation (i.e. trap less cool air within fur) during warm temperatures, increasing the chances  of becoming heat intolerant, which can cause heat stroke. This sounds a bit counterintuitive. Would you stay cooler by wearing a fur coat during summer? I know our cooling systems are different than that of dogs, but let’s look at both sides of the coin.

I reached out to dog experts (e.g. veterinarians, pet groomers and dog trainers) and their opinions were split down the middle. Then, I researched “anti-shave double coated dogs coat” articles. Some of the information I found were anecdotal in my opinion. Where’s the proof that trimming a dog’s double coated coat will harm the dog? I searched for studies and didn’t find any. Now, I’m not dismissing expert opinions, and I totally understand skin exposure is not good, but why can’t we trim (shorten) our dogs’ thick coat?

Let’s discuss this very delicate subject with options and possible outcomes:

 One thing is for sure: Never leave a long-coated dog  or any dog exposed to warm temperatures.

All dogs must have access to shade and cool water or, better yet, air conditioning.

Not Shaving Double Coat? Then Remove Dense Undercoat

If you feel shaving your dog is inappropriate and you enjoy your dog’s luscious locks, then by gosh keep his double coat. It’s not wrong; it’s an option. However, it’s important to keep your dense coated dog comfortable by removing excessive undercoat hidden deep within your dog’s long hair. Also, weekly baths and daily thorough brushing ensure long hair lies flat, protecting your dog’s skin while keeping him cool.

Now, understand that undercoat is thick and lies deep inside your dog’s coat, lying between the skin and top coat, so I recommend using a mat rake to remove it. For maximum undercoat removal, I highly recommend an appointment with a skilled dog groomer who has additional tools and extensive knowledge to remove most undercoat without harming your dog’s skin.

Trim, Don’t Shave

While living in the Deep South, I shared my life with Bouviers. I’ll readily admit, I trimmed their thick coats. Now, let’s clarify, I “trimmed” my dogs’ coats, meaning I shortened the length (1/2 inch using a 3F blade) with no visible skin peeking out, which protected their skin from the sun’s glaring rays. After trimming, my dogs zoomed and bounced around the house instead of permanently attaching themselves to the AC vent–the difference was unbelievable. Even though their coats were short, I still bathed them weekly and brushed daily, as trimmed coats still contain undercoat (it’s just shorter now).

Shaving, in my opinion, means removing hair to the skin. Please don’t do this to your dog. I think we all can agree shaving hair so that skin is exposed to the sun is not okay. When all hair is removed (or shortened so skin is peeking out), dogs are susceptible to painful sunburns and have an increased chance of skin cancer.

Now, if shaving your dog is the only option due to massive amounts of mats, make sure you apply sunscreen every day until his coat grows out. Brush your dog so this never happens again. Shaving is an extreme measure and should happen for medical reasons only. Trim instead.

 While trimming excessive hair may keep some dogs cool, this is not a reason for keeping your dog in extreme temperatures.

Understand Risks of Shaving & Trimming

Remember, we’re looking at both sides of the coin. There are cons with all choices in life, and trimming your dog has a few too.

It Looks Funny

We can’t deny the fact that double coated dogs look odd when trimmed. They resemble 80s rock band members. So prepare yourself.  Yes, we giggle and some dog owners freak out and buy T-shirts to cover their unusual haircut, but the main reason we trim is to keep them cool because we’re all regularly brushing our dogs, right? 🙂

Shaved or Trimmed Coat Grows Back Weird

Sometimes, if your dog’s coat has been shaved or frequently trimmed very short, you’ll notice his coat growing back a different color, thicker or thinner than usual. Keep this in mind when making your decision, as his coat may look and feel different during cooler months. Personally, my Bouviers were trimmed 1/2 inch during summer and 1 inch during winter (winter is mild in Louisiana), but I understood the risks of sparsely growing coats too.

Shaving Doesn’t Stop Shedding

Shaving to stop a dog from shedding is a myth. Shaved dogs still shed tiny hairs. Dogs must shed. Dead hair either falls on your shirt or is brushed out. Either way, it happens.

Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed many short and medium coated dogs being shaved (10 blade in most cases), such as Rottweilers, Labs and Dobermans. When polled about why dog owners shaved their dogs in the grooming salon, they admitted they were tired of cleaning up shedding hair. Shaving to prevent shedding is extreme, and it doesn’t stop shedding. It actually exposes their skin to harmful sun rays when their coats were already short enough to keep them cool. Instead, brush daily with a slicker brush to prevent shedding.

Trimmed Dogs Can Still Get Hot

There’s a statement fluttering around the Web suggesting trimming dogs doesn’t necessarily keep dogs cool. While I couldn’t find any studies proving this statement, I’ve been lucky enough to observe hundreds of trimmed and untouched coated dogs attending my dog training classes during warmer months. Let me tell you: there’s definitely a difference. Most trimmed dogs seemed much more comfortable. There was less panting, salivating and water drinking, but instead more energy than their full coated friends. This is not an absolute, as each dog and his grooming needs are different.

Trimming a dog’s coat keeps him cooler by removing trapped heat caught in his coat, but it doesn’t mean dogs can tolerate heat longer due to their new haircut. They still have a layer of hair covering them. We know shaving exposes your dog to different risks so it’s counterintuitive. Plus, dogs cool themselves differently. They don’t sweat like we do.

In a nutshell, trimmed dogs still get hot so use common sense and keep them away from the heat.

What Should You Do?

Most experts agree shaving is extreme, and I think this is the point of most anti-shave articles. Make informed decisions by understanding risks and your dog’s specific coat needs. Also, consider your commitment to frequent brushing and the weather of where you live. If someone chooses to trim her double coated dog’s coat, there is a reason so hold your negative comments. On the other hand, trimming doesn’t mean laziness. You must still brush and bathe often.

This was a challenging article to write due to passionate opinions on both sides of the coin. I want to personally thank each pet expert who voiced his or her thoughts during the research process. I sincerely hope this information provides you options on keeping your dog comfortable during the spring and summer. Stay cool!