summer hair cut

[irishknight]

I want to shave my sheltie/pom for the summer, but I have heard it was bad for the dog. Is this true? I was thinking it will save me time cutting out all the burrs and briers she is so fond of rolling in, and make finding ticks easier. I use bio-spot but it does not work 100%.

[Dax]

My neighbor shaves their sheltie every spring. It doesn't seem to hurt them.

All I would add it Not too short so they still have some protection from the sun and provide shaded area outside to avoid sun affects.

[gypsy]

Hi. I cannot advise you on a personal level with regard to shaving your pet, but I can say that I have read many times that one should not shave a dog with long furry coat all the way to the skin, but instead leave about one inch of hair for the summer, for insulation and sun protection purposes. I have included some of these websites below.

http://www.healthypet.com/FAQ/animal_care-24.html

I found the question/answer below on the following websie, http://www.shelties.com/question_ans...r.htmQuestion:
Should I clip or shave most of the hair of my Sheltie to keep cool in the summer?

Answer: Absolutely Not! You should not remove large amounts of hair from a Sheltie. These breeds carry 2 coats . The inner coat is used to keep them warm in the winter and the outer coat is used to protect their skin from the sun. In the summer time the inner coat is shed, leaving only the outer coat which helps to insulate them from the heat and protect their skin from the sun.

And also read phrase #7 on the this website:
http://www.meow.net/cool.html

With regard to Biospot, please consider switching to Frontline Plus. Understand I am not trying to advertize a product brand, but several vets have told me the same, that it is the only one that is truly reliable. I live in the woods, and everytime my dog and I go outside, we both come back with ticks, and I can tell you with all certainty that I do not have to worry about that on my dog's part, yes I do look over her body always because if I see a tick right on her I will remove it but I always find the ticks that fell off of her body DEAD!! And everyone I know uses Frontline Plus don't have worry either. It is more expensive than Biospot, but rest assured it is more reliable.
Have a great Summer!!

[Dax]

I don't know about this inner coat, outer coat but the sheltie down the street is a pure breed. They clip it down in late spring leaving about 1 inch. By winter his coat looks perfectly fine. If the inner coat is shed anyway, why would it be affected by the cut - the out hairs also grow back.

[scooter]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this site and have enjoyed reading all the posts. I hope you can help me as well. I have a goldie that just turned 3 and I'm debating if I should or should not shave him. His mane is like none other I have seen, thick, full and just beautiful. I worry if I shave him, it will not grow back the same. Other than the "lil kiddie pool he has and staying indoors most of the summer is the only way I can keep him cool. Any thoughts?

[MarioLuigi]

It's not best for them to be shaved. They are best with their full coat. It can protect the skin from the sun.

[weimlover0816]

We had a golden when i was younger and always have him clipped short (but not shaved!!!) for summers. his fur was sooo think and hot and he was in the water a lot and never seemed to get dry. anyway, his coat always grew back the same every fall and he was a much cooler and happier boy during the hot summer months! I wouldn't recommend shaving, think of the sunburn that poor dog would get....

[ June 13, 2004, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: weimlover0816 ]

[weimlover0816]

and welcome to the forum, scooter !!!!!

[scooter]

[img]smile.gif[/img] Thank you for both, the warm welcome and the info. Buddy is the first goldie I have had & I want to make the "lil" fella as comfy as I can during the hot months ahead.

[ayl715]

I have a goldern and an Australian shepherd, I have their hair clipped short (but not shaved!!!)in the summer, cause it can get very hot and humid here and also they swim a lot. Their hair will grow back in winter, even better.