dianachacho
Forums Novice
I've had people tell me that I should get ChaCho's coat trimmed way back for the summertime since it's so hot and humid here in Texas. What is the general consenus on this?
Summertime in the south
- Thread starter dianachacho
- Start date
SheepOfBlue
Premium Member
Don't.
It helps cool them having the coat. Just keep the undercoat brushed well. Sca is indoor/outdoor and a lot of black in Alabama. He just finds a shady spot when not insisting on Frisbee. On some really hot days I let him stay in and be a house dog though.
It helps cool them having the coat. Just keep the undercoat brushed well. Sca is indoor/outdoor and a lot of black in Alabama. He just finds a shady spot when not insisting on Frisbee. On some really hot days I let him stay in and be a house dog though.
Katherine
Forums Enthusiast
Ditto for don't. The double coat does act as an insulator vs. hot and cold.
However, heatstroke is a problem for all dogs, regardless of coat type, so we need to be very careful during summer.
Our heat and humidity is on a par with yours. In the summer I just make sure that my dogs are exercised outside during the coolest part of the day (early morning) or in shady areas after 6 p.m.
However, heatstroke is a problem for all dogs, regardless of coat type, so we need to be very careful during summer.
Our heat and humidity is on a par with yours. In the summer I just make sure that my dogs are exercised outside during the coolest part of the day (early morning) or in shady areas after 6 p.m.
Emmasmom
Forums Sage
Never cut the coat back - we just had an interesting discussion in another thread on this. The double coat provides insulation for them. Think of a man wearing a beard - he is warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
Mine don't go out and stay out if it is really hot and it can get hot and very humid here as I am very close to Lake Erie, only a couple of miles from the shore and very close to Lake Ontario as well. Just make sure to exercise when it is cooler, find some place cool for them to be, and provide lots of cold water or ice cubes. My Noah used to like to lie in the shade of the garage - where he would lie is always shaded and the grass is always cool. Emma started that last summer as well.
Mine don't go out and stay out if it is really hot and it can get hot and very humid here as I am very close to Lake Erie, only a couple of miles from the shore and very close to Lake Ontario as well. Just make sure to exercise when it is cooler, find some place cool for them to be, and provide lots of cold water or ice cubes. My Noah used to like to lie in the shade of the garage - where he would lie is always shaded and the grass is always cool. Emma started that last summer as well.
corbinam
Moderator
I'm in the same area as Katherine (SC) and I agree. Don't shave their fur. It doesn't help.
You just have to be really aware of the temperature and your dog when you are outside. During the extremely hot summer months we spend little time outside between 10 and 5 unless the hose is on
Don't...don't cut that coat. For all the reasons stated prior. That coat insulates them in the cold,and also in the heat.
However one must be aware of the temperature,longevity of how long the dog is exposed. Using common sense when they are out. I am in the Carolinas,same as Ashely & Katherine.
My dogs live inside during the hot summer.Staying cool,basking in the AC. They do like to be out after sun goes down,and run the steam off.
However one must be aware of the temperature,longevity of how long the dog is exposed. Using common sense when they are out. I am in the Carolinas,same as Ashely & Katherine.
My dogs live inside during the hot summer.Staying cool,basking in the AC. They do like to be out after sun goes down,and run the steam off.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Ditto to all
That being said, in the past, I've allowed Timber's belly to be shaved - belly only not the guard hairs on each side of the belly. Even with air conditiontioning in the house he would stretched himself out of have his belly to the floor.
What does the forum say to that? I've not yet done this with Indy and
Bacca
That being said, in the past, I've allowed Timber's belly to be shaved - belly only not the guard hairs on each side of the belly. Even with air conditiontioning in the house he would stretched himself out of have his belly to the floor.
What does the forum say to that? I've not yet done this with Indy and
Bacca
dianachacho
Forums Novice
Thank you
I just wanted to thank everyone for their very helpful responses. I will just get him trimmed the way I normally do. AND, just make sure I keep him well brushed and hydrated and exercised and outside during the cooler part of the days.
I just wanted to thank everyone for their very helpful responses. I will just get him trimmed the way I normally do. AND, just make sure I keep him well brushed and hydrated and exercised and outside during the cooler part of the days.
Caro
Moderator
Mine compete in flyball and agility and are active in very hot weather and I have never shaved their coats, although its always tempting at the height of summer. It is really critical though to brush out all the undercoat so the outer coat has some 'lift' to allow air to circulate through the coat. Get yourself a really good grooming tool for undercoats, I use the furminator.
A groomer shaved my male's ruff once - it took 9mths for it to grow back to the same length as the rest of the coat, so if you shave in summer the coat is unlikely to have grown back fully for winter.
A groomer shaved my male's ruff once - it took 9mths for it to grow back to the same length as the rest of the coat, so if you shave in summer the coat is unlikely to have grown back fully for winter.