Top 5 Reasons Why NOT to Shave a Double Coated Dog

One of the most common requests we receive at The Dog Pawlour, a dog grooming salon in Fort Collins, is to shave down a double coated dog. Due to the nature and function of the coat type this request has several disadvantages to the dog and their health if their coat is shaved. 

Let’s first define what a double coated dog is:

A double-coat breed has a coat that is made up of two parts – the long and smooth outer coat, and the soft and fuzzy undercoat. These two layers work together to protect the skin from sun, heat, cold and moisture. The fur acts as an insulator against ALL weather conditions. Double coated breeds were meant to work outside in all kinds of weather, and removing that coat does not make them cooler, but compromises their body’s protection. Siberian Husky; Australian Shepherd; Alaskan Malamute, Pomeranian; Akita; Golden Retriever; Labrador Retriever; German Shepherd; Chow Chow; Border Collie; are just a few examples of a double coated dog. (Shih Tzus, Maltese, and Yorkshire Terriers are NOT examples of double coated dogs.)

A double coated dog’s fur has a unique structure that when properly maintained will keep the dog both cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The following illustration provides great insight into the structure of the coat on a double coated dog and how the coat is impacted when there is excess undercoat as well as shaved. 
 

 　
Below are the top reasons why we recommend not shaving your double coated dog and some of the risk factors associated.

1- Dogs with double coats have sensitive skin. A shaved dog is much more likely to experience skin issues like irritation and sunburn. This is due to the fact that their thick hair is meant to protect it from the sun, bug bites, and anything else that your dog encounters during a hike or a stroll in the backyard. These dogs can end up with hot spots, lick excessively, and are generally uncomfortable with their coat gone.  No one wants that for their dog.

2- It does NOT make them shed less. Double coated dogs shed twice a year, spring and fall, and they are shedding their under coat.  The rest of the time, the shedding is normal hair turn over and shaving them does not prevent this from happening.  It only damages the coat in the process and makes the shedding hair shorter.  Instead of having your dog shaved to get rid of unwanted hair, having the dog professionally groomed on a regular basis (every 8-12 weeks) will remove all the dead undercoat, leaving only healthy coat.

3- It permanently damages the condition of the coat.  The under coat is short and dense, while the outer coat is longer, glossy, and harder hair.  The undercoat is all that is left when you shave a dog, and as it grows faster than the outer coat, it takes a very long time for the outer coat to catch up, if at all.  This means that there is no outer coat to protect the under coat, which becomes brittle and breaks off, costing your dog’s coat to lose that natural shine.  On some dogs, the under coat never grows back properly, leaving the dog’s coat sparse and unappealing.  It also damages the cycle of the hair, making the shedding times unpredictable and in some cases, never end. In this case, you very well could be stuck shaving your dog for the rest of his life and potentially dealing with long term skin issues.

4 - The undercoat provides insulation in the winter and cools the dog in the summer.  If your dog has a well groomed coat, with no dead undercoat, the coat keeps the dog warm in the winter by providing insulation and keeping the dog’s skin dry.  In the summer, it provides a sort of air conditioning system to the dog, keeping them cool. This does mean they need to be groomed, it just doesn’t need to be shaved.  They are not going to be hot with all that coat, it’s actually keeping them cool and protected.  As long as they aren’t shaved or severely matted, the coat will do its job and keep their temperature regulated.

5- "It will grow back" Sometimes it will but many times the coat won’t grow back. The older the dog is, the less likely the guard hairs (top coat) will re-grow. While the undercoat will re-grow, the outer hairs sometimes do not. In this case your dog will have a patchy, scruffy, frizzy appearance. Below is a dog that had its double coat shaved down previously and upon the return to the groomer you can see that his hair is not growing back properly. 

The ideal situation is to keep the hair brushed, have a trained groomer (i.e. Master Groomer) remove all the undercoat and allow the dog to remain with their natural ability to keep themselves cool and protected from the sun in the summer and warm and dry in the winter. 

How to Choose a Dog Trainer

As a veteran dog trainer, I have been asked a variety of questions over the years. A common theme of a lot of the questions has been pet parents asking questions during their selection process of finding a dog trainer. I have had many people ask about my training methods, observe me while I am teaching classes, or interview prior clients of mine. All are acceptable forms of doing research. And I always encourage pet parents to do their research! Myself and the staff at The Dog Pawlour, located in Fort Collins, Colorado strive for highest quality services. Each day, we look forward to bringing our readers insightful news and articles.

Training your pet should be a rewarding experience for the entire household. Too many dogs are sent to shelters because of common behavior problems that are easily fixed through training. A good training class is a fun, social, and educational experience that gives pet parents the tools for keeping their dogs well behaved for a life time.

Canine companions are always learning. Regardless if you are actively teaching him or not, he is constantly observing his environment and taking cues from his owner. If his owner is not teaching him the rules to live by, he will quickly make his own.
This is where training is so beneficial. Training enhances the bond between human and dog, and puts an end to problem behaviors. The information in this article will help pet owners figure out what trainer suits them the best.

The most important thing a dog owner should look for when choosing a trainer is finding a trainer who uses positive reinforcement based methods. In a normal, family setting, trainers will not need to use any methods of intimidation (alpha rolling, scruff holding, correction collars, etc) while training dogs. These methods are best used in extreme behavior modification situations that will not apply to an average pet owner.
The trainer that is chosen should be one who uses reward based training methods. One thing to keep in mind is that rewards do not always have to be in the form of treats. Dogs get just as much gratification from using life rewards. A quick game of fetch, some extra love, or a game of tug.

Along with paying attention to the training methods used, pet parents should also look for a trainer who offers a variety of settings for training. These include group classes, classes divided by age, and private sessions. Some trainers even offer a doggy boot camp, where they take dogs for a week to a month and train with them daily.
Pet parents always need to keep in mind that no two dogs are alike, and each dog may have specific needs that don't fit into a normal class setting. Or, a dog may really need to learn social skills and would benefit greatly from group classes. Dogs also have different needs depending on age. An 8 week old puppy is going to have different needs than a 5 year old dog.

Pet parents also need to be aware of the experience the trainer has. Most states do not require any official certifications to be a dog trainer. Because of this, anyone can say they are a certified dog trainer and come into your home or host classes. A good trainer will have completed an apprenticeship, educational, or vocational program. Upon completing the educational process, getting official certifications is up to the trainer. There are many programs that provide legitimate certifications. There are just as many that do not. Examples of reputable, national certification programs include the Karen Pryor Academy, Animal Behavior College, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, CATCH Canine Trainers Academy, and the San Francisco SPCA. There are many state-wide programs that are just as reputable as well.
It is also important to look for trainers who continue their education. Canine behavior theory evolves as time goes on, and it is recommended to find a trainer who recognizes that.

The above information is a general guide for choosing a trainer. It is important that the owner/trainer relationship be one that has a reasonable amount of chemistry. Pet parents should pick a trainer who they value and enjoy spending time with. It is wise to interview a few different trainers and observe a class before making a final decision. And always remember that enrolling, and actively participating in dog training not only makes a dog a well behaved member of society, but it also keeps dogs out of shelters and in the happy comforts of a home environment.

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