When the sweltering heat of summer has everyone and their dog miserable, many pet owners shave or clip their long coated dogs to help keep them cool. While a neat clip can certainly be an advantage in coat care and cooling, shaving your dog may require some precautions.
How Dogs Cool Themselves
According to a VeterinaryInsider.com article, dogs do not have the vast network of blood vessels and sweat glands in their skin as humans do, so they do not perspire as humans do. Panting is their main system of cooling. As air passes quickly across the tongue and through the respiratory tract, the dog’s body dissipates heat through evaporating water.
The panting method of cooling is not as efficient as the human perspiration system and causes them to be more prone to heat stroke than humans. Dogs can vaporize large amounts of water in hot weather and must always have plenty of fresh, cool water available, to avoid dehydration.
Advantages of Clipping Dog’s Coat in Summer
During the lazy days of summer, we usually find ourselves spending more time outdoors and often the dog is right alongside us, hiking, swimming or jogging. Clipping a heavy coated dog down to a short coat in summer can prevent leaves and burrs from becoming tangled or matted in the hair, especially if the dog is in and out of water. A good daily brushing also prevents mats and allows air to circulate more easily through the coat.
A short coat allows body heat to escape but is still long enough to act as a “shade” for the skin and actually help to keep it cool and prevent sunburn. Many veterinarians and dog groomers will caution against a shave and recommend a short clip instead. Mark J. Stickney, DVM, clinical associate professor and director of general surgery services at Texas A&M University's veterinary medical teaching hospital recommends on Pets.WebMD.com to leave at least one inch of hair when clipping dogs.
Disadvantages of Shaving Dog’s Coat in Summer
Heavy coated dogs such as the Great Pyrenees or Siberian Husky may be more comfortable in summer with a clip, however, shaving any breed of dog can put it at risk of sunburn. According to Linda Easton, an international certified master groomer on Pets.WebMD.com, shaving can also leave guard hairs embedded under the skin which can cause skin problems.
Keeping Dogs Cool in Summer
Dark coated dogs, heavy coated dogs, older dogs, young puppies, and brachycephalic dogs (pushed in face) are among those at higher risk of heat stroke and require extra care to stay cool and avoid dehydration in summer. Air conditioning during the hottest part of the day is best for these dogs, however, a clipped coat, regular brushing, plenty of cool, fresh water and shade, and perhaps a wading pool can help keep outside dogs cool in summer.
Unless you’re experienced in clipping dogs, a short clip done by a professional groomer will be most effective in achieving the proper length, avoiding nicks and razor burns and keeping the dog cool.
Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
