long vs short hair in the summer time

[fluff/nena]

This weekend I went a friends birthday party and I took nena and fluffy with me. If I can take them, I will take them every where I go. A friend of a friend and I were talking about our pets and she told me that I should keep fluffy's hair long in the summer because it protects him from the sun. I always thought it was good to cut his hair in summer so he won't get too hot. He does have alot of hair and has black fur. Is she right?

[Dax]

I have found that Ariel's short black coat is worse in the summer than Dax's 3" long fur. Plus there's sunburn to consider.

[Blaze]

Lilly has had both short and long fur in summer but I like it shorter - she never gets sunburn but I do put baby lotion on her in extreme heat so that helps. I also find it easier not having to check for grass seeds in her coat constantly and she feels much lighter with a summer cut too. But I have heard (not sure if it's true) that long coats will keep them warm in winter and cool in summer so I think it's just a personal choice really. Talk to your groomer they should be able to help you!

[DaneGirl2208]

i dont have long hair dogs but i couldnt imagine..it gets so hot here!! i use doggy sunblock on my dogs all summer when we go outside ecspecally chloe she can sunburn SO easily

[RiverKayleesMuM]

The long coat on a dog does protect them from the sun. Since they pant instead of sweat like us their coat protects their skin.
With our long hair dogs we only allow them outside for a short while when it is really hot. They always have water and at the first sign of heavy panting we bring them back in. Also when I am outside with them I usually have the baby pool full for them to play in or if they dont like the water then I just hose them down a little.

[Moo]

Kirby's coat is better long in the summer, it actually keeps him cool since there is so much air and no under coat... But too long is too hard to manage.

[DaneGirl2208]

i went to the park yesterday afternoon..it was so hot..there were these 3 huge white dogs..cant rember the breed..polar bear dogs lol j/k..they had so much fur i felt bad for them!

[GermanShepherds]

Sid has a fine coat, its thin during summer, but not close contact smooth, it puffs out in the winter so its just right
If your dog is having trouble with the heat than maybe, but if not just keep it, I dont think it really matters, you have pros and cons on both sides.

[sheplovr]

Dogs do the opposite in shedding for the seasons as your stating the longer coate for summer protects them from sun and heat believe it or NOT.
Come fall they start to shed and u say What the Heck is going on they are going into the Winter coats of less hair but deep undercoats.
You think GESS my dog looks so good in about Dec, in fact it is in Winter coat with tons on undercoat to blow in springtime.
Seems kinda silly but dogs do the opposite of what we think they should do.
Upon showing in show rings with constant bathing, brushing we treat our pets normally so they shed spring and fall into opposites coats we do not realize they are doing to us and wonder why they look so great in winter opposed to summer coats??????

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

I've always heard to leave a dog's coat long in summer to keep them cool. Also, for a Pom (who has so much hair it's unreal) you really get the desire to cut them short in summer. But, my groomer told me that she's seen more than once where in the winter it doesn't grow back in right after being cut short in summer. So, I've left Cali's long this year.