Whether or Not to Shave your Double-Coated Dogs

A lot of groomers get asked to shave double coated dogs. Some of these include the Siberian Husky, Great Pyrenees, German Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog and Pomeranian. Sometimes your request will be performed, just make sure you ask yourself, is this really in the best interest for my pet? 

Some things you may think are:

-My pet is too hot with all this fur, shaving them will help them keep cool

-My pet’s fur is too much to keep up with and brush everyday

-My pet sheds too much, shaving them will solve this problem

-I want my dog (double coated) to have a “lion cut” or a different kind of cut so they can look unique, just for fun

All of these statements are FALSE and/or not ideal. 

These double-coated breeds are built with their coats for a reason. Believe it or not, having these thick coats, naturally does keep them cooler in the warmer temperatures. The top part of the coat, also known as the guard hairs, help protect your pet from sunburn and insect bites. The undercoat is the layer that actually helps them stay cooler in the warmer weather and vice versa. 

If you are finding the fur to be too much to keep up with, make sure you are making regular visits to the groomer to help keep them maintained. I also recommend regular brushing at home on top of your groomer visits. Make sure you do your research so you know what your specific breed of dog needs for maintenance. 

Shedding. ALL DOGS SHED. They do not necessarily all shed their fur and hair the same way or as often, such as a Labrador compared to a Shih-Tzu, but they all still shed. All dogs also shed their skin cells (dander) which is what most people with allergies have a reaction to. So if you think shaving your double-coated dog will help stop shedding, think again. It not only destroys their coat but it only makes the shedding fur shorter, it does not prevent it. 

If you request to have a special cut on your double-coated dog, ask yourself is it worth it for the health of my pet? The fur would most likely not grow back, grow back in patches, or take years to grow. Not only would they look unnatural, but now you would have to be concerned for their health. 

The only time a double-coated breed should have to be shaved is if it has a serious skin condition, medical issue or has severe matting. In this case I would recommend them to see a veterinarian first.