Puppy Summer-Cut Questions

[Jordan & Daisy]

Hi guys! Daisy is 5+ months now and other than her face, her fur has never been cut or trimmed.

I am noticing that as warmer days approach (it's been close to 70 this week) she is panting...A LOT. Especially when we are outside. I have a few questions-

1. Is this a sign that maybe I should consider a summer cut for her?

2. Our groomer said her "puppy" fur will likely not grow back if we give her a summer cut right now and to be prepared for this. Is this true?

3. I've heard that the longer fur can actually keep them cooler- is this true or just nonsense? Lol

Thanks in advance!! This is how long her fur is now.

[Jordan & Daisy]

Yes we have definitely been doing the water thing! I bought a collapsible bowl that attaches to my purse and so far it has been great. 

[Jordan & Daisy]

Precious!! That was my main question, I would feel terrible to cut her fur down and then it actually makes it worse. I am starting to think that maintenance wise it may make the most sense. Her fur is so long now that swimming, beach playing, etc are going to be more challenging for us grooming-wise.

[Janice Sutherland]

In my experience the adult coat is not that different in nature to the coat they have as 6-9 month old. You just end up clipping off the dry, wispy, fuzzy coat. The adult coat might be a bit lighter in color, but essentially has the same amount of curl and the texture is appears much healthier, softer and full bodied.

Everyone seems to have their own opinion about heavy coats being hot or cooler. We all need to seek what seems right for us and our dog. To me, it seems like a thick and long coat might be insulating if it was covering an inanimate object. Dogs are biological and, as such, huge heat producing units. They do dissipate much heat through their lungs, hence the panting, and their foot pads, but they also dilate blood vessels near the skin, especially in their face and ears. So I have decided to keep them all clipped at about an inch for the hot summer months. But, again, everyone has their own opinion. After hours of searching, I was unable to find any definitive scientific research to weigh the decision to one side or the other, just lots of unsupported assertions.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Janice,
This seems to make sense to me as well. Thanks for your insight

[Jordan & Daisy]

Agreed.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

We had George (6 mos) cut down to about 1.5 inches a month ago. She's going next week for another (it grows SO FAST). She actually was DARKER after her cut. She is much much happier short, and we think she looks so cute and more athletic and leggy. We also have a better idea of how we're feeding her, when she was fluffy she always looked like a little chunky butt, when we got her groomed we realized she is a skinny mini! She is much more comfortable short, I honestly think we'll keep her the length she's at right now (about 2 and 1/2 inches long) in the winter.

This is before cut. 

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

This is after cut.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Too cute. She looks good either way!

[Jordan & Daisy]

That is so helpful! Daisy looks a lot like George's first pic right now, and I agree that both pics are adorable. My husband is afraid to cut her hair and lose the teddy bear look but I asked him- if your kid got a haircut would you not think she/he was as cute? Of course you still would! Lol.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I keep both Lucy and Oscar cut short year-round, more for prevention of mats than anything else. I do think they feel more comfortable in the warmer temps, though, with shorter coats. When its really cold in the Winter, they wear coats. In the Summer, I always take water for them while on walks, and make sure they have a fresh bowl of water in the yard. They drink a LOT when they're active and its warm.

As for the puppy coat not coming back after the first cut,  I think your groomer meant that a curlier adult coat will take its place as it grows in. If you separate Daisy's coat down to the skin and look at her hair, you'll probably see a line where the hair starts to get curlier/wavier. That's her adult coat coming in. She'll never go back to having the puppy fuzz once its cut off.

[Jordan & Daisy]

Yes! That is precisely what my groomer was saying! That I have to let go of the fuzz bc it won't be back. :(

I've actually been looking really closely to see if adult coat is coming in and it's so hard to tell! I will say that brushing/combing her is getting to be more extensive lately (but she's also getting bigger), I have to really make sure I am combing at the root, otherwise it just does nothing. But I haven't noticed a distinct change starting yet. She's only 5.5 months so maybe it hasn't quite started for her? Her coloring is changing for sure though. 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Becky,
The first couple times I tried to trim the fur around yogi's eyes he didn't like it. Next time DH held him and we gave frequent treats as I clipped, not even that close at first. It only took a couple of times before no treats were needed and he holds really still. Try treats!