Should I give her the Puppy cut??

[MyDogShelby]

It was a little warmer today...and the sun was out the whole day...ahh, the warmth of the sun :) Well, Shelby and I went rollerblading, and I couldn't help but notice how Shelby looked tired a little too soon.

Well of course it was from the heat (combo of temp and sun blazing down) plus her pace. So here is the question...should I give Shelby a Puppy cut so she doesn't get so hot? Summer isn't here yet, I know, but I think it would benefit her if I did.

But here's the thing...will her hair grow back to the same length it was before I cut her? or will it be longer? Will it grow in thicker?

Just some things I need to know before I consider doing it :) So what do you all think?

[MixedBreed]

Enh...I don't think you know until you try. Uilleam's groomer had to shave a couple of 'hot spots' last year because they got too matted, and the one near his tail grew back all black. It was very strange.

But mostly, I think it will grow back the same? I'll defer to the experts in long-haired dogs ;)

[golden&hovawart]

If the weather is really hot,then,hose her,it will keep her cool while she runs.
That's what i do when I walk and I don't want them to swim.Also bring a bottle of water for her.
Does she like swimming?.
If she does,try to find a place that has a pond where she is allowed in.

[borzoimom]

Well a double coat, the type she has, would be hotter cut short. The reason is the top coat that would keep out heat, and the undercoat that keeps her warm or cool is the same length. Like a shaved collie- they are hotter... A good groom with a full blow out will help remove the undercoat she needs to loose if this applies, but really- they are better not to be shaved with a double coat breed- like shelby..

[MyDogShelby]

Enh...I don't think you know until you try. Uilleam's groomer had to shave a couple of 'hot spots' last year because they got too matted, and the one near his tail grew back all black. It was very strange.

But mostly, I think it will grow back the same? I'll defer to the experts in long-haired dogs ;)
Uh-oh, what if the spotty areas come back black on Shelby:eek: Hee hee, just kidding...I guess your right though, I won't know till I try :)

If the weather is really hot,then,hose her,it will keep her cool while she runs.
That's what i do when I walk and I don't want them to swim.Also bring a bottle of water for her.
Does she like swimming?.
If she does,try to find a place that has a pond where she is allowed in.
Well G&H, your idea is a good one :thumb:...but its kind of a hassle...because I walk her everyday, and I would have to wheel out and connect the hose every time, water her down, and then come back and dry her off...not my idea of fun, LOL :D

The only other thing I could do when summer comes, is get up early and walk her, or walk her when the sun starts to go down. Basically walk her during the time it is still cool out. Or give her a trim so she can be outside during the day too...

[MyDogShelby]

Well a double coat, the type she has, would be hotter cut short. The reason is the top coat that would keep out heat, and the undercoat that keeps her warm or cool is the same length. Like a shaved collie- they are hotter... A good groom with a full blow out will help remove the undercoat she needs to loose if this applies, but really- they are better not to be shaved with a double coat breed- like shelby..
LOL borzoimom, I guess I should have mentioned in my post, I wasn't going to shave her down to the skin...maybe trim her so that the hair is shorter, but not shaved. So if her hair is 3-4 inches long, trim it down to 1-1/4" or so...Would that be a bad idea as well?

[golden&hovawart]

When running my dogs,they are usually dry by the time we come back from a run.Borzoimom is right a double coated breed like yr dog and my golden shouldn't be shaved not even puppy shaved.The coat protects them from the heat and the cold.

[borzoimom]

LOL borzoimom, I guess I should have mentioned in my post, I wasn't going to shave her down to the skin...maybe trim her so that the hair is shorter, but not shaved. So if her hair is 3-4 inches long, trim it down to 1-1/4" or so...Would that be a bad idea as well?
It will make her undercoat the same length as her top coat- yes make her hotter...

[borzoimom]

If you really want to make her cooler- shave her tummy.. but even that is a streatch..

[golden-lover]

We shave Charlie every late-spring, early-summer to get rid of the dead fur. Were also doing kira, and you've heard what grooming her is like! We only do 1.5 inches on Charlie, so that's what I'm planning with Kira. Still haven't decided if I'm doing her tail or not, it probably should be shaved, but she'd look funny xD

[KatzNK9]

I vote for hosing her down to cool off too. Does she really spend that much time in the sun? Like all day left in the yard? If so, I'd give her a kiddie pool.

[dogluver4]

Yeah, your not supposed to shave a dog really. Breeds who have medium-long hair are fine really. Like Borzoimom said, give her a tummy shave...

We were wondering that about Basil too...so we just shaved her tummy and she seems fine..

[MyDogShelby]

I vote for hosing her down to cool off too. Does she really spend that much time in the sun? Like all day left in the yard? If so, I'd give her a kiddie pool.
No Katz, she isn't outside all day or anything near that. I just take her for a walk everyday...trade off walking for roller blading some days...and then if we are outside in the yard, sometimes we let her hang outside with us.

I was just surprised today because she looked like she was hot. So I just thought maybe we could trim (not shave!...maybe I shouldn't have put Puppy cut in my thread/post:rolleyes:) some of her hair to make her more comfortable in preparation for the hot days to come. So I guess I will do the best I can, and maybe walk her when its cool out...or maybe I will try wetting her a little all over (vs. completely hosing her down)...either way should keep my girl comfy :)

Thanks for all the opinions/suggestions everyone :) Appreciate it ;)

[skunkstripe]

Well if she is hot that is not such a big deal is it? As long as they have cool water, they pant for a while and then they are fine. I think it looks worse than it is actually.
You could wait until you get indoors and put a wet towel on her to help cool her off. I don't think getting her fur cut is a good idea as some have already said.

[Mom to Lil Buddy]

As a follow-up to MyDogShelby's question, I understand that it would be bad to cut/shave a Shih Tzu because of the kind of coat they have, and it would make they hotter. However, Max has very little of the hairlike coat, and almost 99% soft cottony undercoat. What would you do with him?

[KatzNK9]

In your dog's case, I would consider stripping out the undercoat.

[golden&hovawart]

If you don't want to hose her completly,just hose her legs,feet and underbelly.Remember a dog sweat through their feet and mouth and make sure you have water for her.

[MyDogShelby]

Thanks for the advice everybody :)

[Katlovesdogs]

HEY! The best way to deal with this problem is to carry a small water sprayer, like the ones you can buy for hair stuff or for plants, fill with cold water. it instantly cools the dog but dosnt leave her soaked. Just give her a quick spritz in the really hot places, tummy, back, head, and she'l be all cool and lovely!:)

Do shi-tzus have an undercoat:confused: , shaving a single coated breed like a yorkie dosnt make them hotter!! it cools them down!

Some working breeds have INSULATING coats (like the OES) which keep them warm in winter, cold in summer) so if you were to shave em, then it would make them more prone to overheating. (sorry borzoi mum i now know you made this point:))
Your REALLY not supposed to shave dogs who have undercoats coz its reli bad for the coat and causes it to grow back funny ive read, it mats more easily and stuff.
As for 'my dog shelby', i see exactly wot your saying and i dont see any harm in trimming and feathering in the really 'thick' places, maybe you should take her to a grooming parlour and see wot they think (but obviously dont let em shave her:) :D )

[borzoimom]

Since she is black and would attract the sun more, have you thought out a " cooling vest or neck one? Like this.. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=14550&Ntt=cooling&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1 or this http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11111&Ntt=cooling&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1 .

We use these at the shows to keep them cool. Femka gets hot too, but she doesnt stay out long at all..

[sheplovr]

I also use drsfostersmith.com for shots, shock collars long ago and many things. I think when my dogs are quite warm I use my hose that is always on the walk to start at the feet to the tummy area with cool water as I did in cooling down a hot horse long ago without causing Colic, etc.
Also a wade pool always made to jump or walk into with clean cool water is great. I agree with coming or raking the dog to rid of the winter undercoat helps much. :D