Trimming a dog in summer is a popular method among owners, and for some dog breeds, it is even the ideal practice. But is this true for every breed? If you read our article to the end, you will get the answer!
The coat of dogs
The coat of dogs can be of many different types and textures, but generally two types of coats can be distinguished: single-layered and double-layered (double) coats.
The article, expanded with lots of new information, can also be read on the official website of the author, Ildikó Vámosi, along with other useful content. Please click the link below: “Summer dilemmas – Is it necessary to trim the dog’s coat?”, or on the image or article title below!
Types of double coats
Dogs with double coats have the entire body covered by a double coat: a hard-structured outer coat and a thick, dense, and soft undercoat that protects against the weather conditions. Such coats grow only up to a predetermined length.
There are two types of double coats: closed and open coats.
In double-coated, closed coat breeds, the outer hairs are noticeably longer and close together above the undercoat like a blanket. While the outer layer, the guard hairs, become wet, the undercoat works to keep the dog’s skin warm and dry. Such coat types can be found in for example, Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Newfoundland, German Shepherd.
In double-coated, open coat breeds, there is a hard, coarse outer layer, called the guard coat, and a soft, dense undercoat. The purpose of this double coat is to shed snow and ice in winter and provide protection against frost, while in summer it protects the dog from sunlight and, through the complete shedding of the undercoat, ensures proper air circulation between the guard coat and the skin. Examples of dogs with a double, open coat include for example, Siberian Husky, Chow-Chow, Pomeranian, basically northern dog breeds.
Dogs with double coats always have coat suitable for the season, which they usually replace with heavy shedding in spring and autumn, but this can shift somewhat depending on the weather. Breeds with this kind of coat require more grooming, especially in spring and early summer when a heavy shedding period begins for them.
The shedding mechanism of double-coated breeds
As the weather warms up, the undercoat separates from the body and shedding begins. In shorter hair, it falls out in clumps, while in longer hair, the dead undercoat felts and protrudes like cotton between the guard hairs.
The following illustration clearly demonstrates the mechanism of the double coat and also shows what can happen if a double coated dog is shaved or clipped down to the skin:
Every such dense undercoat must be thoroughly brushed, otherwise the 3rd phase shown in the picture below is expected to occur. The coat becomes compact and completely matted, thereby preventing proper air flow between the skin and the topcoat. After removing the matted undercoat, air flow will be ensured between the topcoat and the skin; this process keeps the dog cool in summer while the top layer of the coat protects the skin from sunlight, as well as from flying insects and mosquito bites.
Why not shave?
The question remains: Why not shave them, just keep them away from the sun?
One reason: Due to the shaved coat, it is still not guaranteed that they will remain cool even if the sun does not shine on them. The top layer helps prevent heat from reaching close to the skin, and unlike humans, dogs do not sweat through their skin. When you shave the entire coat of double-coated dogs, you actually remove their natural ability to keep cool, you remove the natural insulation, so the dog cannot protect itself from extreme temperatures, sunburn, insect bites, and sharp objects.
The other reason: When the coat starts regrowing, we can see very strange things. This means that there may be patches where the hair does not grow evenly or both layers do not grow together (topcoat and undercoat together). In such cases, the dog's coat looks as if there are thyroid problems in the background. The coat is fluffy and varies in length on the body. Older dogs often have problems with coat regrowth, while in others (this is the most common) the undercoat grows faster, while the top layer grows slower (the top layer grows slower because the dog does not shed it, and if shaved, the regrowth will be much slower), so the protective top coat is covered with a tangled covering. This does not mean the coat will stay like this forever. In the coming period, increased grooming and brushing are required, and by the next shedding season, the top layer will become longer, while the undercoat will shed again, until finally the coat looks like it did before shaving, long guard hairs with thick, dense undercoat in between.
Besides, the new coat will be thicker and softer than before shaving. But why is this bad? Because the coat will behave like a sweater. Its softness absorbs water and attracts unwanted parasites and insects. Moreover, this thick layer is extremely hot in summer. In winter, the regrown new coat retains water, mud, and gets moldy. Your pet remains cold and wet for hours. You tried to keep them cool, but by shaving, you kept them warm in summer and cold in winter.
When shaving is unavoidable
Of course, there are cases when shaving is unavoidable, for example in certain health conditions, surgical interventions, if a life-threatening condition develops, or if the coat is so matted that it is impossible to brush out, then shaving is the only solution.
If the hair starts growing again, take proper care to ensure free airflow and avoid the need for future shaving.
So the answer to the question – whether "Is it necessary to shave the dog's coat?" – actually depends on the breed.
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More useful and valuable articles for dog lovers can be found on the author's official website.
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