 At first, it only seems obvious: the less hair on a dog, the cooler the dog. After all, a thicker winter coat is going to be warmer on a person than a thin autumn Jacket. A heavy fur coat is vastly warmer than a thin little raincoat. Isn’t this all simple common sense? Countless owners of cold weather, double coated dog breeds like Shetland Sheepdogs, Siberian Huskies, and Samoyeds came to that very same conclusion. Countless dogs suffer from heat stroke each year because they were shaved when they shouldn’t have been, and many have died. It gets warm, also in places you would not think were warm!It isn’t always frigid cold in the northern parts of the world. In many Russian territories, summers are often warm, sometimes even hot. During the Summer, daytime Alaskan highs often range from 20- 26.7* Celsius). Thick, double coated Grey wolves survived just fine in these conditions for thousands of years (and still do) before man came along with his electric razor. Believe it or not, various species of wolves thrive in hot southern areas, like Mexico, to this day. Two Layers of Fur A double-coated breed’s coat is not only designed to keep them warm during the winter, often repelling water to boot (depending on the breed), but to keep them cool during the summer. In this case, a full set of fur is actually better! Undercoat: This first coat, or undercoat, is made up of fine and fluffy hairs close to the skin. This is the fur that sheds. A dog’s undercoat traps air, acting to insulate the dog. Again, it keeps them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Topcoat: A dog’s topcoat is made up of tougher ‘guard hairs’ that don’t shed. These hairs serve to both protect your dog from the sun’s harmful rays and bug bites to boot. This also insulates them from the heat.  What Happens When You Shave a Dog? When you shave a dog, the undercoat is all that is left. The undercoat grows much faster than the topcoat (that is now gone); it takes a long time for the topcoat to catch up if ever at all. Without an overcoat to protect the undercoat, the undercoat becomes brittle and breaks off. There is now no more, and may never again be any more, shiny and glossy hair on your pup. ● If shaved, a dog’s topcoat guard hairs won’t always grow back. After all, they’re not meant to be cut in the first place. One shaving session can actually damage your dog’s coat for the rest of his life! What does this mean for dog owners who shave their dogs? You’ve just stripped your pup of his naturally ability to cool himself. In an attempt to remove that pesky undercoat that sheds all of the time, you can’t help but shave that topcoat first. There is a perfectly good reason why it doesn’t shed! ● During summer months, double coated breeds will shed their undercoat- often referred to as ‘blowing their coat’. Shaving these double coated breeds can permanently damage the coat, causing what portions do grow back to grow irregularly. Whatever frizzy coat is left over after shaving not only prevents cool air from getting to the skin, the shaved coat now also lets the sun through to the dog’s skin. His risks for overheating, sunburns, and even skin cancer are now increased! ● Shaving your dog won’t limit shedding. In fact, your dog might shed even more now that the top layer of guard hairs has been removed! Panting vs. Sweating If you’re sweating in the heat, it’s only natural to think your dog must be dying underneath all that fur! Believe it or not, dogs don’t sweat through their skin like humans do. Though they do have some sweat glands on their paw pads, their main form of heat exchange/perspiration is actually done through panting!  Double Coated Breeds Below are listed several double coated breeds. This list by no means covers all of them, just maybe some of the most commonly owned double coated dog breeds. Siberian Huskies Samoyeds Alaskan Malamutes Shelties Akita Chow Chow Shiba Inu German Shepherd Dog Collie Saint Bernard Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog Labrador Golden Retriever Spaniels Jack Russell Terrier How to Help Your Double Coated Breed Stay Cool A visit to the groomer can work wonders for your dog! Most groomers will bathe your dog, then blow his undercoat with high powered dryers. Many will also use a tool that looks a bit like a rake to help remove loose fur. Remember to choose and research your groomer carefully, making sure to let her know you don’t want your dog shaved! It’s a good idea to talk with your groomer, making sure she has experience with double coated breeds. ● Don’t force your dog to wear a muzzle during the summer. ● Offer plenty of fresh, cool water. ● If hiking, it is often coolest during the morning or evenings. ● Allow your dog rests in shaded areas. ● Regular brushing will help cut down on shedding, remove dirt, and keep your dog cool. ● Air conditioning or indoor fans will also help your dog stay cool during the heat. ● You can buy a cooling suit for your dog ● Don't leave your dog in a heated car for long periods of time!  Shaving a double coated dog:
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AuthorViktoría Jensdóttir Archives
September 2022
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