my poor pomeranians matts!!

You care so much about the dog's appearance that you don't want to shave him but you don't care enough to do daily grooming so his fur doesn't mat.  You ask a question here, to which you get perfectly valid advice, then reject it out of hand.  Interesting dilemma.  Good luck.

ORIGINAL: PomeranianLuvr

oooooooooooooh no we're NOT about to shave him. this is a POMERANIAN he's not even a year old. we've waited 4EVR for his hair to become like this, and its not even poofy yet. if we SHAVE him, it will take forever, and that'll take the beuty out of him....sry fellas.

Can you say that his looks matter more then his comfort?  How much more selfish can you be.?
How often have you been grooming your pup?
It won't take forever and besides how would you like your hair all knotted up so tight it pinched you?  Your poor poor pup.

I just also wanted to add as far as the fur growing back.  If you find someone who knows how to do it right and doesn't take down the undercoat it will grow back fine.  Willow was shaved to her undercoat last June and less than 6 months was completely grown back.  And, if she can do it any dog can because she's not the healthiest dog and she has bad skin also. 

I hope you decided to take your pup to the groomer. Please don`t go out and get the things that is in my first picture. I have dealt with a long haired dogs for around 12 years. Fluffy the dog that I had before Molly was also a long haired dog. I kept her hair short as I had to much other stuff going on to deal with long hair. I clipped her hair myself. The hair grows back. It seemed like every time I turned around Fluffy needed her hair clipped. So it wouldn`t be long and your pups hair would be back. Then when I got Molly we decided to keep her hair long. I was told that I would need all the stuff in the picture so I went out and bought them to have on hand. I do not use them. If not used right you only end up hurting your dog and if you hurt your dog during grooming it may be harder to groom your dog the next time as I`m sure the dog will remember the pain it went through. Its much better to clip the dog then cause them any pain. Mollys mats were not large or down to the skin or she would have short hair right now. I would never inflict pain on my dog just to keep her long hair.

I am a groomer but since I can't see how bad the dog is matted I can only offer some advice. As for the matts behind the ears it is much safer to have them shaved out than try to cut them with scissors, it is too easy to cut skin with scissors I would take the dog to a groomer for an evaulation so see if the coat can be saved. If the groomer says no that I would go ahead and have the dog cut down. It will grow back and in a shorter time than you think, but you must start combing and brushing right away or it will start matting again as it grows out.  If you want to be sure you are getting the right advice from the groomer go to one that is recommend by your vet or a friend that goes there or go to a couple of groomers for advice to get more than one opinion.Also if you decide to have the dog combed out it will probably be expensive.

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shaving a doublecoated breed will affect the hair growth. the hair will grow back very ugly.

This is not necessarily true at all.  My chow was shaved last June and was in full coat again in less than six months.  If you find a groomer who knows enough not to take the undercoat down to the skin you won't have a problem with it growing back most of the time.  It's the undercoat that once it's completely shaved doesn't grow back properly. 

Of course, there are always exceptions like the general health of the dog, etc. 


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I too  have to say that I've shaved my tzu Eve down before then let it grow back and it grew back in the same as it was before. I'm pretty anal though about bathing, brushing and their diets.

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I'm sorry but what a bunch of hooey.  I have seen a number of shelties that needed to be shaved down for one reason or another and ALL of them had their coat return to normal.  Now it took at least a year for their outer coat to grow out completely but it did come back.
 

ORIGINAL: purplex15

first of all, a shih tzu is not a double coated breed. shave it all day long and it will grow back fine.

Purplex15-
Hmm so the Shih Tzu is not double coated, huh?  Tell that to the AKC.
Check the link [linkhttp://www.akc.org/breeds/shih_tzu/]http://www.akc.org/breeds/shih_tzu/[/link]
So who is correct the AKC or you the groomer?
Another two websites which support the double coat fact on a Shih Tzu: [linkhttp://www.canismajor.com/dog/shihtzu.html]http://www.canismajor.com/dog/shihtzu.html[/link]
[linkhttp://dogbreedinfo.com/shihtzu.htm]http://dogbreedinfo.com/shihtzu.htm[/link]

So is there a difference in a professional groomer vs. one in training? ........Yes, years of knowledge and experience.
Hmmm..would I rather go to a liscensed Hairstylist with years of experience or pop on down to the local college with ones in training?  That's easy I want someone with years of experience.
Of course everyone needs to start somewhere....but make sure your information is correct on the breed of dog and type of coat.  I have posted 3 sites which clearly state the Shih Tzu is a double coated breed.
You may have some knowledge that some of us don't have...but being in training does not make you an expert....and the attitude that seems to be coming out of your posts...is rather condescending and rude.  Make sure you have your facts straight...[sm=lame.gif]
BTW being straight forward to the point is fine but the rudeness and condecending tone need to go go go......

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You're being *really* rude, purplex. Most folks on this board are far more knowledgeable about dogs than JQP, and Lori, in particular, has a very good grasp on double coats (notice the gorgeous Chow Chow in her avatar and signature).

In my pet grooming experience, few Poms are affected by shaving. Those who are have other issues.

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So you miss spoke about the Shih Tzu's being double coated.  Like I said before have your facts straight.  There are different types of double coated breeds.
But you have been condescending and rude..there are better ways to state your opinions and why and your reasoning.
BTW I gather information for myself and then weigh it out and do MY own research.  I don't just do as others say...not a sheep here.
Your job was being questioned...because we were wondering how much experience you have actually had with grooming and if you were an expert.
What is wrong with questioning?  Anyways you were not correct with this quote-
ORIGINAL: purplex15

first of all, a shih tzu is not a double coated breed. shave it all day long and it will grow back fine.

Therefore I question your job and experience.  You may know alot but are not an expert and know it all.  My point has been proved. [sm=lame.gif]

I'm sorry I don't like confrontation at all and I'm not trying to keep and arugument going but I do have 3 tuzs and All of them have a doublecoat and a topcoat. I have shaved down my Eve and let it grow back out one time and when it did it was as beautiful as it was Before I shaved it.