Today I put Coke up on the table outside. I intended to brush him and do a summer trim. He doesn't have mats per se (no major clumps or tangles), but after about a half hour still brushing the same four square inches I realized there is so much undercoat that needs to be removed. I called the pet spa/groomer to get him in. They said it would cost $55-$75, depending on the time it takes/how bad it is. They also told me for $7 they can use a special shampoo and conditioner that helps loosen the coat. Does this price seem OK? Is there really such a shampoo? Basically I signed up to have him bathed, blow dried, brushed/shedded, and there's a few areas I need trimmed or shaved. $75 is twice what I pay my own hair stylist, lol, but I realize he's a big dog and it might be a big job. Also I was thinking of having his private area/belly shaved. What do you think about this? The only other part that gets shaved is between his toes. The feathering and ears I have trimmed, the rest not cut at all just brushed. He is so big with so much coat and we don't have A/C. Usually for the summer he lies down on cool concrete or is allowed to dig a hole in damp dirt. I figured if his belly area was shaved that might help keep him cool. Usually I hack all the hair off, just don't have a shaver myself. Any other suggestions for a large black dog with so much coat in the summer heat?