Dog Grooming Question

[Brindlebtch]

Yeah, we have a vet 2 doors down that shaves her rough collie every summer. He's much happier!

 

[bunnibird55]

I was a professional dog groomer for 20+ years. First of all, if a long haired dog is kept brushed properly - brushing every day - not allowing the undercoat to get dirty or matted, never allowing the long coarse hair to become matted or filthy - there is no reason to shave a dog down to the skin. Now, most people can not, do not keep the coat brushed/clean. That takes a tremendous amount of time and energy on a large double-coated long-haired dog and is rarely done unless it is a show dog. I have shaved many dogs down because they had become so matted and had so many ticks/fleas hiding in the mess that there was no way other than shaving them down to get them clean. BUT, there is a proper way of shaving any dog. The right clippers, the right blade and maintaining COOL, CLEAN blades while shaving. If the coat is not too matted- like in tight down to the skin - it is best to use a number 5 blade to allow a bit of hair to remain. Then the owner needs to know that the dog cannot be left in the direct sun or the skin will burn. There are many variables but it can be done - I will not shave my border collie down but I shave around his rump where the feathering gets in his poo - helps keep him clean. I shave tummies of males because that helps keep the mess down when they potty. For cleanliness, some hair removal is advisable in many cases!

 

[bluebird]

I groomed dogs -all breeds- for 25 years. I totally agree with Rammy! Showed and bred dogs for 32. I never did believe that crap about heavy coated breeds being kept cooler in the summer with all that hair. Sorry. Who 'really' knows. . . 0nly the dog.

Bantamlover23...if your friend helps with the grooming then perhaps you can do a trade and she will help with your cockers (as in bathing) next time.

 

[onthespot]

Is the person with the dog able/willing to keep the dog comfortable indoors until the coat grows out. Life changes and not everyone can continue to do upkeep on a heavy double coated dog years later. Might have sounded like a great idea at the time, seeing that cute roly poly litter of pups and beautifully groomed parents on a manicured lawn, but jobs, kids, household duties, spouses, aging parents, (and chickens, lol) all can majorly creep into your available time. Any healthy dog can be shaved down and live to tell of it. How you care for them afterwards is more important than the day they were shaved.

If you are not an experienced groomer, you may clipper burn him by accident, causing much worse problems than a sunburn would. Are you prepared to deal with whatever you find under all that hair? (moles, blocked sebaceous glands, ticks, fleas, sensitive flaking skin, raw, infected skin folds. Careful of cutting the skin too. It can be very paper thin under that hair, easy to pull up a tiny fold and slice clear through it with a good set of clippers and not even know it.) It is backbreaking work, especially without a grooming table, and/or an uncooperative or older, crippled dog. I don't think I'd do it for less than $100, myself, friend or no.