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Why You Should Not Shave Your Dog in the Summer

By Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views

Despite this being one of the hottest summers on record, please refrain from shaving your long haired dog. The following information comes from Dr. Rob Ballinger of Veterinary News Network. Dr. Ballinger says that “each year veterinarians, pet groomers and pet lovers have debates about the pros and cons of shaving thick coated or long-haired dogs during the warm summer months. From our human perspectives, higher temperatures mean less and lighter clothing. Unfortunately, this is probably not true for the majority of our pets.”

It looks hot under all that hair. But it's not a good idea to shave your long haired dog.

While we humans sweat and that sweat evaporates, our bodies cool down. Dogs don’t have the same cooling system.  According to Dr. Ballinger, a dog’s main cooling comes from panting. “As the moisture evaporates off of the tongue of the panting dog, the blood is cooled and this cooled blood is circulated to keep the pet comfortable,” he explains.  ”A well groomed, clean hair coat will actually insulate dogs from the heat and help to keep them cooler.”

Dr. Ballinger also points out that shaved dogs have a greater chance of getting sunburn–especially if they are lightly pigmented breeds.

Keep Your Pet’s Coat Clean
If your pet’s fur is dirty or matted, then the protective function of a full coat can be lost. “However, in some cases due to age or lack of mobility, your veterinarian may recommend shaving certain areas (like the perineal region) in long haired breeds to facilitate keeping the area clean and free from maggots,” says Dr. Ballinger.

If you have any other questions about shaving your pet, ask your veterinarian. To learn more about pet health, visit VNN’s library of helpful videos.

July 24th, 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Pet Care

23 comments to Why You Should Not Shave Your Dog in the Summer

  • Carol Bryant
    July 24, 2012 at 10:34 AM

    Exactly. We never shave our dog down period and for his summer cuts, we make sure to keep the hair intact and not “shaved.” We also have dog-safe SPF, which I highly recommend for car trips or extended periods of time outdoors. Great piece, Michele.

  • Michele
    July 24, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    Thanks Carol, I have seen a number of long haired dogs shaved in the summer. Their parents think they are being kind, when this really shouldn’t occur.–Best, Michele

  • Lucy
    July 24, 2012 at 11:09 AM

    I see a lot of long haired dogs in my neighborhood with their hair shaved in the summer. They owners usually shave the body and keep the hair around the face. I will share this very useful article.

  • Caroline
    July 24, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    Thanks Michele, for yet another great post. So many people don’t know about this. They think that they are helping their dogs by shaving their hair in the summer. Glad you cleared this up for all of us. And I am going to take a look at Veterinary News Network.

  • Daniel
    July 24, 2012 at 11:26 AM

    I run a Siberian Husky rescue, and a lot of people want to know if they should shave their dogs in the summer. I will share this. Thanks!

  • Inez
    July 24, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    Good to know. I wasn’t aware. We are in the midst of adopting a collie, and I was worrying about the long fur.

  • Hildy
    July 24, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Groomers should know this too. They can still get good business by bathing and grooming long haired dogs without shaving them. Thanks!

  • Donna
    July 24, 2012 at 11:33 AM

    It’s misconception on many of our parts. I used to shave our dogs. Now I know better and don’t. I still see other pet owners do the same thing. They just aren’t informed. I will let them know about this article.

  • Pamela
    July 24, 2012 at 2:24 PM

    I love the analogy to insulation. We insulated our house because of the cold NY winters. But we find it also keeps us cooler in the summer. It’s interesting to read that fur plays a similar role.

  • Fulvia
    July 24, 2012 at 3:18 PM

    Thank you for posting, Michele! A lot of people think that shaving dogs at summer is a must do. I keep telling these misinformed persons that dog hair is a protection from hot weather every time I bump into a bald dog!

  • P. Elizabeth
    July 24, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    Thanks so much for writing this. So much controversy over this issue. As usual, you set us straight and give us accurate information.

  • chad
    July 24, 2012 at 6:52 PM

    Oh no! I just shaved Aubry and I keep Eli pretty short all year…they tangle so much…this is good to know for future reference…thanks Michele!

  • Michele
    July 24, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    Thanks Chad, Now you know. A lot of people think it’s a good idea to shave a dog. I remember reading something about it many many years ago. So, when I got that guest post from a trainer, I questioned it. Thanks again, Michele

  • Michele
    July 24, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    Hugs Elizabeth!–Michele

  • Michele
    July 24, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    Hi Fulvia, I love that “bald dog!” Thanks, Michele

  • Michele
    July 24, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    Good point Pamela!–Best, Michele

  • Denise
    July 25, 2012 at 11:37 AM

    This is an important fact, which I carefully considered before deciding to bring my dog, Tobi (3 years old “Flat-Coated Retriever) to the groomer to be shaved last weekend. The fact is that I had become ill and was not able to keep up with the weekly brushings. I also noticed that the hair around his rear end was getting very matted and smelly! Also, due to the extreme heat and high humidity of the past 2 months, his top coat kept shedding non-stop! Even when I did brush him, I could have continued for hours and the dear hair would still keep coming off. Lastly, during the past 2 months of heat and humidity, my poor Tobi spent most of his days lying down and panting non-stop (even with 3 fans going 24 hours!) Now that he has been shaved, even though the heat and humidity continues…Tobi does not pant as much after walks or playing in our back yard with his adopted “sister” Sasha (2 years old Boxer-Bull Dog, Dachshund, Rottweiler, American Eskimo mix). He seems energetic, playful and comfortable! (The groomer told me that she understood my decision, as Tobi’s coat was in bad condition.) I may not shave him next summer (although he is ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE this way…), but will definitely keep up with the weekly brushings and dry shampoos!

  • Tomcat1765
    July 25, 2012 at 12:20 PM

    Denise…I think we can all appreciate your situation and many of us have been in similar straits (I just need to look under my desk to see my shaved domestic long haired cat, Vulcan, to empathize with you.

    I think you brought up an important point and that is that no matter what the breed, routine grooming is essential and when we are unable to keep up with that, our pets can start to feel uncomfortable and even somewhat “sickly”. The health of the skin and hair coat is an often neglected area in our pets and accounts for more than 25% of all veterinary visits.

    My thought is that had you not become sick, Tobi probably would have received the grooming (brushing) he was accustomed to and you may not have seen such an issue with his coat. Now that the mats are gone and he has probably had a good bath, his skin is in much healthier condition and he feels better, thus the higher energy level and activity. I am very happy to hear that he is back to acting normally and that you are feeling better as well.

    We also should remember that there are some good reasons for shaving some areas, as noted by Michele in the article above. AND..there will always be times when a pet needs a complete shaving (like my cat) because the owner didn’t keep up with the regular grooming and the mats were too numerous to either detangle or remove without shaving. I think the overall message here is that owners who provide regular brushing/grooming for their pets will have a lesser need to consider shaving their pets.

  • dog training Calgary
    July 26, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    Thank you Michele for sharing this news. I’m owning dog for last six year and since starting I’m following this procedure, but i never tried to share this information because i never have logical reason of it, but it is proved by Dr. Rob Ballinger of Veterinary now it will be easy for people to believe it.

  • Hot Enough for You and Your Dog? « Pet News and Views
    July 31, 2012 at 10:44 AM

    [...] Brushing for Ventilation Mid and long-haired dogs have the added burden of wearing a coat during the summer. While a visit to the groomer can take care of some of the excess fur it’s also important to brush our dogs at least five times a week. This provides extra ventilation for their skin.  And don’t shave your dog.  [...]

  • Sue
    July 31, 2012 at 10:57 AM

    I love it that veterinarians read your comments and post helpful answers. You have a terrific site.

  • Ursula
    July 31, 2012 at 10:59 AM

    I’m a groomer and I tell my readers not to shave their dogs in the summer. The hair really does act as insulation to keep out the heat! Now, if anyone complains, I will print this out and show them your article.

  • Linda
    July 31, 2012 at 11:00 AM

    Thanks for this post. I just read your other post about keeping dogs cool in the summer. the point about sunburn is important too.