Hey Woofa’s

With the weather TRYING to warm up this is a question I come across a lot as a Dog Groomer.

Do I have to have my dog shaved off short for summer?

Well this is going to depend a lot on you, the owner, and the breed of dog you have.

AND of course this is only directed towards long haired dogs.

There are dogs who should (ideally) NEVER be shaved off short, even if they are long haired dogs – Husky’s, Malamutes, Mareema’s, Samoyed’s, Border Collies, Blue Cattle Dogs, Japanese Spitz, just to name a few.

But generally there are a few things that a Dog Groomer will take into consideration when this question is asked of them.

DO I HAVE TO HAVE MY DOG SHAVED OFF SHORT FOR SUMMER?

There are a number of factors to take into consideration when answering this question!

1.  Do you brush your long haired dog regularly?

If the truthful answer to this question is yes, then you may not have to have your dog shaved off short BUT you can maybe make it 1/2 the length of what it is.

I call this a short long, so the dog still has some fluff but is nice and neat, mainly for smaller fluffy dogs or oodle breeds etc.

For bigger dogs say Border Collies I will do what I call a tidy up, trimming under the belly area, cleaning up around the back legs and bottom area and toilet areas and thinning out around the neck.

Blending it all in to make it look neater.

This breed will also need a de-shed!   Which is a good brush and blow dry to get any excess hair out that needs to come out.

2. If your dog has knots all over it!

Then it will depend on how many knots and how severe the knots are.

If the coat is pelted (as in you can’t get through the knots at all) then YES your dog will need to be shaved off short – generally smaller dogs and oodle breeds etc.

If you have a bigger long haired dog breed that has a pelted coat, while it’s not ideal, then yes your dog could need to be shaved off for summer.

3. If you have a bigger dog that shouldn’t be shaved down!

If you have a Malamute, or Husky etc that shouldn’t be shaved down, you don’t have to have them shaved down for Summer.

Even though they have a thicker coat all they generally need is a good grooming and a de-shed.   Why shouldn’t you shave them?  Because they have a double coat and it will generally ruin the coat to shave it off short all over.

The bigger dogs that shouldn’t be shaved off, need all their knots brushed out so their hair flows freely.  When it is cool the air will blow through their hair and cool them that way.

You CAN make their belly and toilet areas a bit shorter so they can lay on cool flooring or mats and cool down that way also.

4. If your smaller dog (that can be shaved off) suffers in the heat!

Many of my customers like to keep their smaller long haired dogs a bit longer in the cooler months and have them shaved off in the hotter months because it’s easier for them to look after.

And the dog feels better with the shorter hair.

5. If you have an older dog!

Most older dogs I find their hair gets thinner!

I won’t shave them off short I’ll take them back as much as I can to make them more comfortable.

6.  Trust your Dog Groomer!

If you have a trusted Dog Groomer then they will advise you on the best action to take regarding the condition of your dog’s coat and your circumstances.

I will do my best not to shave a dog off short if the owners don’t want that!

HOWEVER, we work on HUMANITY OVER VANITY!

So if your dog is a matted mess and you say you don’t want it shaved off short, what is NEEDED for the best of the dog will be done first.  And this will be discussed with the owner as well.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

If you don’t want your dog shaved off short for summer, make sure they are brushed thoroughly every day, ALL OVER!  To avoid any knots.

That way you can have a tidy up at the Dog Groomers.

Your Dog Groomer will advise you the best action to take regarding the condition of your dog’s coat!

As to whether or not it needs to be shaved off short for summer.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – IF YOU HAVE YOUR DOG SHAVED SHORT FOR SUMMER?