Macaroni seems depressed after his summer cut!

[Elizabeth Vitale]

We adopted Macaroni about 8 months ago, & he's 5 years old.  He lived on a farm, & had some trims, but never a full summer cut -- he's seemed "down in the dumps" since then (a few days, which have also been really rainy, but he doesn't usually mind that too much).  I wonder if there's any connection.  Anyone notice that with their Doodles?   It's a little late to ask this, but what kind of cut is recommended for the hot weather?  I tried to find out before doing it, had noticed him panting a lot more on hotter days.  I hope I did the right thing!

 

Thanks!!

 

Liz

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I have heard of similar reactions. Imagine having really long hair then shaving it all off. it would feel strange and chilly. He will get used to it.

 

I keep Cooper really long, but when it gets hot in the summer (though its only really hot for about 1 month) I trim her short (about 2 inches). She doesnt mind that, its quite a relief for her, but I think if I shaved her totally (we dont get it too hot here so i dont think its necessary) she would probably be "off" for a few days.

 

If you have really hot weather, then im sure you did the right thing. Though I have heard that the long fur helps keep them cool too - Im not sure how much truth is in that statement though

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My poodles always seemed embarrassed and a bit uncomfortable after a shave down. I am in the minority here on DK, because I disagree with cutting a dog's fur in the summer; dogs don't sweat, they don't lose heat throught their pores, and I don't believe the length of their fur makes any difference in how cool or warm they are. I put my 53 years of living with non-shedding dog breeds behind this belief. I never gave any of my dogs a "summer cut", ever.

But as I say, I am in the minority here, many doodle owners seem to believe their dogs are cooler and feel better with shorter fur.

 I will be very interested in hearing whether you notice less panting now with the shorter fur.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm in agreement with karen ...... I've even actually read that the hair can trap the air down next to their skin and keep them cooler.  As for the dogs, maybe it is like people .... some like their hair long and others short.

[Frannie & Callie]

And I would have totally agreed...until I got Callie. She genuinely suffers in the heat down here and and perks up when she gets her close summer cut (which she'll get on Saturday). She's ultra furry right now and I love when she's all muppety, but she's much much happier wearing less fun in the summer. I wonder if the humidity here makes a difference? The air just presses on you.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri LOVES LOVES her summer cuts.  Right now the humidity is getting to her and she is panting and not walking as fast on walks. She is due for a cut and I can pretty much guarantee she will perk back up...

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Bandit is definitely cooler with shorter hair.. In addition it's much easier to manage with swimming, sprinklers and the hose downs!!

[Frannie & Callie]

I got Callie cut down to a half inch on Saturday...she's so naked looking! She's happier though, and didn't start dragging until the end of our walk on Sunday (and she's been slowing down and panting midway through, so this was an improvement).

 

 

[Jennifer Tramell]

My dogs got a summer shavedown a couple weeks ago and they seem to really like it.  Maybe Macaroni just wants the rain to stop so he can enjoy his new 'do in the sunshine :-)

[Melissa & Porter]

He may have been more weirded out by the process than anything else.  Clippers are loud.  Lots of standing...etc.  Some groomers do the anal glands, the ear-hair plucking, nail dremel-ing.  All this is disturbing if the dog is not used to it.

Porter has a summer cut (1 - 2.5 inches) year-round and seems to be fine with it, but he is curly (read hard to brush) and black (hot fur). 

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Kirby and Dexter seem overjoyed after haircuts.  They have more energy and are extra playful.  Maybe your doodle is just sad because of the rain...I know I sure am!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I live in southern California and it gets very hot where I live, but it isn't that humid.  Anyway none of my dogs appears to suffer from the heat.  I notice that they like to lay on cool tile floors but they often do this in the winter too, so.....  We keep both doods scruffily long.  I may be in the minority here like Karen but, I truly don't think a longer coat matters for the heat - perhaps if you are quite active with your dog, the shorter coat would be much easier to care for though.

We had a lab mix who we kept 'shaved' for his whole life because of the shedding.  Since he was truly a no-special-look mutt, we didn't care. Clancy sheds a lot and while I get tempted to shave him for my sanity I can't quite bring myself to do it. 

If you shaved him, do be aware of the possibility of sunburn.

[Kyoko]

I always thought Charlie was bit cold after getting the short cut.  They do look like they are embarraced or something, but I think they are just a little cold.