17/03/2024
With the hot weather approaching I have received calls regarding “shave downs” on Double Coated dogs. Those of you who know me, know how very passionate I am about NOT shaving down a double-coated dog. I will NOT shave your double-coated dog down for any other reason than MEDICAL and then I will require a veterinarian note with his recommendation. Please take note that there is NO reason to shave a double-coated dog otherwise. If it’s because you are tired of the shedding…ask me about my shed-free program. I have a plethora of clients who are on my shed-free program and have witnessed the results first hand.
The unfortunate issue I continuously see is inexperienced and or poorly trained “groomers” who do not know breed specific (coat, skin etc) and more times than none mistake dense undercoat for matting or I’m sorry to say too lazy to complete the prep work in its entirety. Then, you are informed “I had to shave your dog because it was matted”, OR the groomer will give you your dog back still full of mats underneath the top layer that has just been brushed. Next grooming...your dog WILL have to be shaved!.....Grooming 101......
RULE of thumb...for you fur baby mommas and daddy’s...if you are bathing your fur babies between professional grooms...your PREP work is critical! DO NOT wet your baby until he or she is completely mat free. (Brushed (slicker) and Combed through). Completely mat-free otherwise the end result could be devastating if you are looking at keeping your fur baby in full coat (specially doodle owners). The De-matting process can be very time consuming and painful for your baby.
SO…let me explain…
A double-coated dog is any dog with a harsh outer coat and a soft undercoat. (2 coats) The soft undercoat is what sheds and leaves tumbleweeds all over your house. Labradoodles, Golden doodles, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies are just a few examples of double-coated dogs. These two coats grow independently of one another and to different lengths. The outer coat is longer, and tends to grow slower. The undercoat is shorter and grows faster, and also turns over, or sheds, twice a year.
Now that we all understand basically what we’re dealing with, why shouldn’t you shave a dog like this?
1) Dogs with double coats have sensitive skin. This means that your shaved dog is likely to come home with razor burn, irritated skin, and is much more likely to be sunburned. The skin of these dogs is more sensitive because the thick hair protects it from the sun, bug bites, and anything else that your dog encounters during a hike, a romp in the backyard, or a roll on the carpet. These dogs can end up with hot spots, lick excessively, and are generally miserable. They also look (in my opinion) ridiculous. No one wants that for their dog.
2) It does NOT make them shed less. Double coated dogs shed twice a year (also known as blowing coat), and that is the under coat. The rest of the time, the shedding is normal hair turn over, and that is seen in all animals with hair (including you, your poodle, your Aunt Sally, and the squirrel in your backyard). Shaving them does not prevent this from happening. It makes the shedding hair shorter and damages the coat in the process. Instead of having your dog shaved to get rid of unwanted hair, having the dog professionally groomed on a schedule will remove all the dead undercoat, leaving only healthy coat and stopping those tumbleweeds from rolling across your floor.
3) It permanently damages the condition of the coat. The under coat is short and dense, while the outer coat is longer, glossy, and harder hair. The undercoat is all that is left when you shave a dog, and as it grows faster than the outer coat, it takes a very long time for the outer coat to catch up, if at all. This means that there is no outer coat to protect the under coat, which becomes brittle and breaks off, and that there is no shiny, glossy hair on your dog not to mention it also changes the texture of the coat when it grows back in. On some dogs, the under coat never grows back properly, leaving the dog’s coat sparse and just plain ugly. Shaving your dog damages the cycle of the hair, making the shedding times unpredictable and in some cases, never end. It can also mean that you’re stuck shaving the dog for the rest of his life.
4) With so many breeds to choose from, it’s easy to find a coat you like. If you don’t like the hair of a Collie, go for a Smooth Collie. If you don’t want a dog with as much hair as a Golden Retriever, maybe a Boxer will be more your style. The hair of a dog serves a purpose, and is part of the package. A little bit of research goes a long way.
5) The undercoat provides insulation in the winter and cools the dog in the summer. If your dog has a well groomed coat, with no dead undercoat, the coat keeps the dog warm in the winter by providing insulation and keeping the dog’s skin dry. In the summer, it provides a sort of air conditioning system to the dog, keeping him cool. Yes, this does mean he needs to be groomed, it also means that he doesn’t need to be shaved. He’s not going to be hot with all that coat, it’s actually keeping him cool and protected. As long as he isn’t shaved or severely matted, his coat will do it’s job and keep his temperature regulated.
6) It just plain looks bad. The under coat is dull and dense and not visually appealing. A dog in a full, beautiful flowing coat is much more attractive. You’re going to spend the same amount of money and I’m going to spend the same amount of effort, so wouldn’t you rather your dog look good?
7) It is never to breed standard. I know pet owners are fond of saying “Oh, I don’t want a show dog!” and I plan to cover that topic all on it’s own in the future, but the breed standard exists for a reason. Be proud of your dog and his glorious coat, and how educated you are on why he needs that coat.
😎 It increases the amount of allergens on the dog’s skin. I have heard people say that they shave their dog because they are allergic. That just doesn’t make good sense. The dander of the dog is what you’re allergic to, and having it right on the surface is not going to help your allergies. Having the dog groomed will keep up with the dander and the loose dead hair, and that will help.
I will not be shaving any dogs this summer, or any summer after that. When it comes to shaving a double coated dog…I will shave only to where the guard coat starts and no further.
A dog can’t tell you that shaving him makes him uncomfortably hot or gives him sunburn, but I can, and I will try to educate as many owners as I can.
Do not use a furminator or allow anyone to use a furminator on your dog. My personal opinion based on education and first hand is that I feel it is a total waste of your money. If used incorrectly, the furminator only CUTS the coat and does not de-shed. Sure…you see the hair coming off but it’s not the hair you want to come off….please trust me on this.
Please call me and ask as many questions as you like. I’m here to help you and your four legged fur-baby(s). I would like to remind you that if you do call and get voicemail, please leave a message. As a rule, I do not answer my phone while I have a dog or cat going through my grooming process. It takes my focus off of the dog or cat I am grooming and could be potentially dangerous. I will get back to you as soon as I can. I do shut my work phone off at 10:00pm so feel free to call me up until that time.
