If you have a longhaired dog, you’ve probably wondered whether you should shave him down during the summer’s hot weather, but SPAWS Professional Dog Grooming & Boutique in Milton, Ontario, recommends not doing this.
Dogs have a coat for a reason. For instance, Golden Retrievers have a double coat: an undercoat and a topcoat (or outer coat) that work together. By shaving your Golden, you’re taking the outer coat off and exposing the under coat to the natural elements (which it shouldn’t be).
There are many other good reasons not to shave a Golden Retriever.
When the hair starts growing back, it gets fluffier every time you shave. Golden Retrievers should have nice, flat, wavy hair.
By exposing the undercoat, you expose the skin to the sun, which will cause the dog to shed more. People think their dog doesn’t shed as much after shaving but because the dog has shorter hair, you can’t see the hair as when it was longer.
Shaving a dog can make them more heated. The double coat keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer since it acts just like your home’s insulation.
By shaving your dog, the sun can get to the skin, which can lead to sunburn.
Hot spots are common in Golden Retrievers that are in the water a lot. SPAWS suggests trimming the hot-spot areas a little shorter but don’t shave them. Also, make sure those spots are completely dry after your dog goes swimming. It’s also a good idea to take your dog’s collar off at night so the skin is exposed to the air.
Make sure you work with a groomer who knows what’s best for your breed of dog. Call SPAWS Professional Dog Grooming & Boutique in Milton, Ontario, at 905-864-6360 and we will be happy to answer your questions or set up an appointment.