SHAVE YOUR DOG IN THE SUMMER, YES OR NO?

In this time of year often people ask me to shave completely their dog.... with the aim to keep him fresher!! They are not knowing thst there is the the risk of causing their beloved furry serious problems. It is unfortunately a widespread idea that if the dog is completely shaved he will suffer less in the summer heat, but this is a really bad idea (unless necessary for reasons related to dog health which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis).

Before taking this decision it is important to know that the dog doesn't sweat like humans through the skin, but regulates its body's temperature primarily through ventilation through the mouth and also through the pads of the paws.

Dog's coat (with the exception of some races) is composed of the woolly Undercoat which is shorter (and acts as an heat regulator) and the outer coat that protects the Undercoat.

We can easily understand then that a shaved dog will not stay cooler, cuttinh his hair we will remove him an element that has an insulating and protective function (its natural defense) and we will make it more vulnerable to sunlight, thereby increasing the risk of possible Burns, dermatitis or worse ... in addition to insect bites.

If mention of convenience (e.g. to better control the presence of spikelets), clipping your dog is a free decision of the owner who must be informed and he should evaluate the possible consequences in terms of aesthetics, because a significant differences can result in shearing the hair that will be noticed when it regrows.

Shearing is often required because the dog "loses too much hair",but this is absolutely not a solution, shedding that will continue (albeit shorter and therefore less visible). The solution is to help the fall of dead undercoat with special instruments that are different depending on the type of coat and that there may be recommended by your trusted groomer who will explain also how to use them.

It is important to note also that daily brushing your dog is very effective and useful both for you and for him. You will surely have to collect less hair in the House