ASPCA Article on shaving your dog

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We have discussed the pros and cons of shaving our dogs and pretty much agreed to disagree.  I just got this article from the ASPCA and want to share. And the debate continues.

http://blog.aspca.org/content/heat-wave-should-you-shave-your-pet

[F, Calla & Luca]

Interesting article. I do think not shaving gives the dogs protection from the sun and May insulate a bit. But why does this article advise against snipping mats. I do it all the time and I think it's easier on the dogs and me.

[Stephanie]

As a dog groomer I've been told for years that the hair keeps them cool.  I think a small amount of fur, this can be true..but as much as I hate shaving down double coats, and I do believe it can ruin the dogs coat..I have never seen a Great Pyr that didn't look more comfortable shaved down.

Also, there is a huge difference between a dog with a normal amount of coat, and a matted dog.  It doesn't matter what kind of breed it is, if a dog is matted they need to be shaved down.  The mats in a dogs coat can trap dirt, water, bacteria and cause all sorts of infection if not cleaned or removed properly.

I think the only reason they advice against clipping mats out with scissors is because you can easily cut the dogs skin as well.  I've had a co-worker nick her dogs ear pretty bad because she was trying to clip out a mat behind her ear.  They should almost always be shaved out.  Or, if you have to use scissors place a comb under the mat to separate it from the skin and then cut so you know you are only cutting hair.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have cut hundreds of mats I'm sure but never nicked the dog. I usually end up using me between the dog and the scissors.

[Heidee]

My puppy no just had to be cut really short because he was so matted. What can I do to keep him from matting. I wanted to keep him long in the winter but she said he was really bad. I brush him regularly. I wash him myself once a week and then blow dry him. She told me my blow dryer might be causing some. She recommended I k-9 dog blow dryer and it should work better on him. I just feel like I don't know what to do to keep him from matting.

Heidee

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Heidee, it is important that you use the correct tools - ie. brush and comb, for your dog's coat type.  Over washing and drying can dry out the coat and cause more matting.  You need to brush/comb out all the mats before you bathe or you have a mess.  When brushing/combing you must get all the way to the skin.  Join the grooming group for lots of tips.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm thinking that perhaps the article meant that if you cut big mats rights down to the skin that that would expose those areas to the sun?  Otherwise it doesn't make any sense.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I've always been among those who don't believe in shaving a dog's coat; trimming shorter, yes, and certainly matts need to be eliminated.

I also do not allow clippers to be used on my dogs ever, except for the feet. Hand-scissoring only.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I love all of your dog's coats who are done professionally and look fantastic. I however, own a dog, who has the hair of a poodle, mixed with the length and thickness of a golden retriever.  Honestly, I think he was cursed.  A truly bad mix when it comes to grooming.  It really is difficult ON HIM to be groomed.  Spud has the thickest coat I have ever seen on a dog.  I do not think this is natural. Some breeds, just should not be mixed.

Starlit had thick hair, yes but it was a breeze to groom and manage for a Labradoodle. 

Recently, I took an inch off Spud.  I got as close as I could but made sure I left him hair to protect his skin.  One area, just one, under his tail was cut to close. He did get very irritated and burned from the sun  :(

I'll hold on to his coat as long as I can to protect his skin, but when it cools down, believe me, I'll be shaving this miserable coat off the poor dog. 

I wish, I had a true doodle coat but what we have here is a pure sheep.

This is an individual dog -case by case-situation.  Never say never, because you just don't know.

I have cut him, badly, using a scissors, but also nipped him pretty good with a good grooming shear also. 

I don't know how anyone, who is actually trying the best for their dog, can go wrong with either method. Nothing is ideal.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Poodle's hair grows longer than any Golden Retriever's who has ever lived. It will keep growing forever, unlike a GR's which gets to a certain length only. And as far as thickness, poodles who have been bred for show will beat any other breed for thickness by miles.

There were occasions, I'm ashamed to say, when one of my poodles did have to be shaved, because I neglected to keep up with combing and brushing. But the rest of the time, no clippers. It caused skin irritation, and both the vet and the breeder advised me to find a groomer who knew how to use scissors and was willing to do it.

But I never tried to groom them myself, and never would. Jack either, and he is easy. So I would not presume to tell someone who does their own grooming not to use clippers. But I can say, for myself, I would never use them.

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I've met a lot of poodles-toy to standard.  None with hair like this.  My neighbors, standard poodle owners, run their fingers through Spud's hair and say, " Wow. Love it, but how thick. Soft. Strange"   Ann Kendig said and did  the same thing when she met him. 

He does not have a poodle coat. It also is not wooley. It is strange.  A mix.  Thick.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Spud's coat does not look poodle-y to me in pictures. "Soft' is the word I would have used, without feeling it. Poodles coats (at least poodles with the "right" kinds of coats) are not soft at all, they are very coarse and wooly, with a lot of body- very springy. The hair doesn't part and fall down, even when long. But in your statement above, you said  "I however, own a dog, who has the hair of a poodle, mixed with the length and thickness of a golden retriever" so that's what I was going on.

I would have described Spud's texture as "cotton-y" from the photos. Is that right?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

No. And maybe yes.  Strange. Even a Les Pooche Brush does not go through.    It is a mesh of fibers is how I can best describe his coat but the texture of a spool of thread.  Thick fibers? Oh heck, I don't know. LOL