Does any shave their dogs for the summer?

My 11 year lab Hershey is not doing so good in this heat. She is constantly panting.

We don't have Central Air, we could put a unit in one room, but we will do that as a last resort because we both are not fond of AC and we are trying to keep our bills down.

Anyway, I am thinking of shaving her, I will keep her out of the sun, but is their anything else that would harm her?

Do you think this will help her cool down and be more comfortable?

Re: Does any shave their dogs for the summer?

We do! We have two mutts- but they have LOTS of Collie in them and are EXTREMELY furry and fluffy.

I think they like being shaved- we are careful about the sun until it grows back a little. Its a nice break from constant vacuuming too- just make sure to go to a reputable groomer so they don't get nicked when shaven.

Re: Does any shave their dogs for the summer?

We keep them very, very short.

Re: Does any shave their dogs for the summer?

I am so glad this post is here..I was just wondering the same thing for my doggie...
She is large and has a lot of fur. The vet said it is fine, but I feel like she must get hot!

Re: Does any shave their dogs for the summer?

I would look into it before you actually do it. I have read that for larger breeds that shed like labs and goldens with longer fur it is more damaging then cooling. A lab's fur is not that long to begin with.

This is the reason for not shaving dogs I been told: The reason a coat doesn't make a dog hotter is because dogs don't sweat, but pant. If you were to wear a coat you would get hot because your sweat wouldn't evaporate. Dogs lose their heat by panting and letting the wet on their tongue evaporate. So shaving the dog will only make it's body take on more heat because it has no coat to insulate it. Also a shaved dog can get sun burnt very easily especially if it has light colored skin.

I have 2 goldens and a boxer that are home all day without central air. We actually leave on an airconditioner in one of the rooms, but have been sneaking in and finding none of them are in there! We leave one of the kiddy pools in the backyard full and they dunk when they need to be cooled down. During lunch we have been spraying them with the hose to keep them cool as well. The boxer seems to be under the most stress due to the heat, even with her short coat. She just goes and dunks more often in the pool.

I also have seen some things in magazines for ice packs to put around their necks and for beds that they can lay on to keep cool. I think I may have seen them in foster's and smith.

Message edited 7/10/2007 9:07:44 PM.

Re: Does any shave their dogs for the summer?

We have a border collie and he is soooooo hairy. I want to shave him so bad but I'm scared.

Re: Does any shave their dogs for the summer?

Re: Does any shave their dogs for the summer?

Even though I was not the OP, thanks for the advice given here. ...
I was not sure about shaving my doggie, but you've given me some educated insight...
THANKS!