To shave or not to shave? Summer with your double coated dog

Summer is quickly approaching (finally!), and pet parents everywhere are getting their pooches ready for the long awaited heat.

What can we do as responsible dog owners to keep them cool and comfortable during the summer? A haircut right? Yes…No….sort of…. The answer is complicated; It depends on the type of fur your dog has, and the type of hair cut you plan on giving them.

Single Coated Vs. Double Coated Dogs

Single coated dogs are the ones that grow a single layer of fur, and do not have an undercoat that sheds. Generally, these are the type of dogs with fur that will grow very long and need regular trims. 

Double coated dogs are ones that have two layers of fur. The first, an outer layer called the top coat, is usually more pigmented, offers protection from the elements and grows slowly. The second layer, called the undercoat, is the duller, fluffier hair that grows more quickly and falls out multiple times a year. It’s the soft fur that sheds and creates tumble weeds all over your house, and sticks to your clothes.

Temperature Control

Now that we know the difference between single and double coated dogs, we can begin to explore the role their fur plays in temperature control. Let me begin by saying that I believe it is never a good idea to shave down/buzz cut a dog’s fur completely, no matter their coat type. That being said, there are a number of breeds that benefit from having their fur cut/trimmed regularly. These are the single coated dogs, such as Yorkshire Terriers, Shih-Tzus and Poodles. Regular grooming and fur trims will ensure that their fur stays clean, healthy and does not become matted. Having these types of dogs trimmed a little shorter in the summer can help them keep cool, as long as it’s not so short that their skin is exposed. Their fur grows quickly, and regular trims are recommended.

Double coated breeds (Huskies, German Shepherds, Labradors, Pomeranians etc…), on the other hand, depend on their first layer of fur (Top coat) to control their temperature. It slows down the process of heat absorption, shields the skin from the sun during hot weather, and insulates the body in cold weather. The dog will also depend on it’s undercoat to help insulate it when it’s cold. What’s important to remember, is that the undercoat dies and is replaced very quickly. It’s important to remove this dead undercoat with regular brushing throughout the year, to keep your dog’s fur and skin healthy.

Why not shave?

You may be asking, “why not just clip my doubled coated dog in summer? “. While this might temporarily rid it of dead undercoat, it will also get rid of it’s protective top coat. Your dog’s skin will now be exposed to the sun and heat, and without it’s top coat, will not be able to regulate heat absorption. Your dog’s undercoat will start to grow back very quickly, and will start shedding again, while it’s top coat grows much slower and is easily damaged if shaved. If your lucky, your dog’s fur may grow back normally, eventually, but more commonly, they will experience a number of issues.

Cosmetically, your dog’s fur will grow back unevenly. Their undercoat will grow back first, leaving your dog’s coat looking dull and frizzy.

Without regular brushing to keep the undercoat tangle and mat free, the slower growing top coat will get stuck underneath, and mat easily into the undercoat. The dog will then have two coats of fur that are matted together, and without a proper top coat to shield it from heat, will actually overheat much quicker than it would have before. Not to mention that a matted coat can be very uncomfortable and cause skin irritation.

Another serious issue that occurs all too commonly when shaving double coated breeds, is that the top coat is permanently damaged. This can mean a change in texture and/or patchy hair loss.

Exceptions

There are a few exceptions to the rule. Some dogs have a double coat, but their top coat is made up of wire-hair. This includes Schnauzers, West Highland White Terriers, Fox Terriers etc… Wire coats are a little different from your typical top coat. They are still damaged by the shaving process, but not in the same way. They can be shaved without fear of hair loss, however, the texture of the hair will change. The hair will become softer and chances are that darker colored fur will become dull. However, wire-haired dogs still need the length of their fur maintained, and this can be done through the process of hand stripping. Hand stripping is a specialized grooming technique that involves pulling out the dead outer coat in order to open the hair follicle and allow a new hair to grow through. It is a long process that can be more expensive and time consuming than regular grooming, and should only be done by someone experienced in this type of grooming.

Most pet owners don’t mind the change in texture or color and will opt to have their dog’s fur clipped rather than hand stripped, as there are no other real consequences.

Another exception is, of course, shaving your dog for medical reasons. Shaving is sometimes necessary when a surgery needs to be performed on your dog, or when they need to draw blood. There are many medical reasons why your dog may need to be spot shaved, or completely shaved. If this is the case, speak to your veterinarian and/or groomer about what you can do to keep your pet protected from the weather.

Solutions

Now that we know why we should not clip a double coated dog, let’s talk about some of the other things you can do to help keep your furry friend cool in summer, and keep their shedding under control.

• Regular brushing to loosen dead undercoat and prevent it from getting matted.
• Professional de shedding, to remove all dead undercoat and clean and condition their fur and skin. Professional groomers have high velocity pressure blowers/dryers that blow out the undercoat in a way that brushing alone can never achieve. This will ensure that all dead undercoat is removed, and will keep your pet cool in the heat, as well as excess hair off your floors.
• If your dog’s hair is long, messy, and uneven, you can ask your groomer to do a “clean up trim”. Without clipping the hair all over, they can clean up the fur between their toes and even out the hair on the tummy, tail and backside. This will give your pup a nice, clean, groomed look, without removing it’s important, protective top coat.

If you already do all of these things, and your pup still seems to be extra hot in the summer, there are a few extra things you can do to keep your pup cool.

• Keeping them indoors during heat waves is a must, especially for bigger and hairier dogs.
• Shorten their walks on very hot days, and play indoors games with them instead.
• Giving them access to water at all times, and even giving them ice to play and chew on.
• Make sure they have access to a shady area if they are spending time outside.
• Letting them go swimming or playing with them with the hose or sprinkler.

If you’re not sure whether or not your dog’s fur should be clipped (this can be especially tricky to know if you have a mixed breed dog), I recommend finding an experienced groomer who can take a look at your dogs fur, and give you recommendations on the best way to groom them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and if you feel that you’re getting the wrong advice, get a second opinion.

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