Dog Community

Need advice/opinions - Trimming a BCs coat.

Posted : 6/27/2008 2:13:25 PM

Indie is really feeling the heat and humidity and wilting when we go out. Even early in the morning when the temps aren't much higher than 80, the humidity is so bad, he's wanting to head home after 15 minutes. He really needs to keep up the exercise to keep his joints strong and lose a few pounds to get to his optimum weight. His undercoat has just been a nightmare this year. I've stripped it out 4 times so far and about a week later, he's thick and furry again. I don't get it but it's getting old and I think it's adding to his discomfort. I love his coat from the waist forward, it's long and silky and nice. Easy to get a brush/slicker/rake through too. But from the waist back is a nightmare. It's kinky, wiry, thick, dense, long and a pain to get anything through. So, he's got an appointment next week with a real groomer for a deshed treatment. I'm hoping they can do a better job than I can to get that heavy undercoat gone once and for all. I'm also considering having him trimmed to see if that helps.

Here's what he looks like now, with a little less butt because I've tried to trim it a little with thinning shears but didn't want to butcher him.

I'm torn between asking for the Golden trim that TAOofGoldyShep got in this thread:

Golden Doo

or going whole hog and having him trimmed even shorter like this to make him more comfortable.

I've stopped taking him out in direct sunlight already because of how he seems to get more uncomfortable in the sunshine (we walk in the shade near the lake or at a local park that has woods) so I don't think sunburn would be an issue with this type of cut. My biggest worry is that when it grows out, the whole coat could end up wiry and unruly like his back end already is. I've tried heavy conditioning on the rear and it just doesn't seem to make a difference in the texture. It traps everything, leaves, twigs, dirt, etc. It's just a tremendous pain. I don't mind brushing it out every night, but with this added evidence that he's not tolerating the heat very well, I want to make him as comfy as possible.

So, groomers and owners alike, what do you think? Have you had problems or changes in coat texture after cutting the coat? Have you used a "cool coat" on a long coated breed like this with any success? Should I try a backpack with gel ice packs in it? Which cut do you think would be a better choice?

4HAND

Posted : 6/27/2008 4:09:01 PM

Indie has such a beautiful coat,I would hate to cut it Sad My friend has a very thick coated aussie and swears by that Furminator brush/comb.When my dog is heat stressed I give her a Chilly Bone [cloth bone soaked in water and frozen].

Tena

BCMixs

Posted : 6/27/2008 4:25:26 PM

I know! I LOVE his coat! Well, from the waist forward I love it. From the waist back, it's really gotten quite horrible. My problem is keeping him comfortable when we're out walking so I don't think the bone would help but I have thought about trying the cool coat (or a wet t-shirt) first. I just wonder if it would trap heat rather than cooling given his super thick undercoat.

I have the Furminator and it works wonders on Woobie and the cats, Indie's coat is just way too thick and kinky and it just chops up the top guard hairs and doesn't get down to the undercoat.

malnmutt

Posted : 6/27/2008 5:45:49 PM

Have you thought about shaving his butt and tummy naked? I did that to my malamute x before I just shaved him nakie. I would shave his belly and chest really close so it was like a giant vent on his tummy and I shaved his butt down short for poo-related reasons but it was also another ventilation patch.

BCMixs

Posted : 6/27/2008 8:56:06 PM

I'm leaning in that direction now after doing some more reading up on keeping dogs cool in the heat. I think I'm going to go with the Golden Doo, have them take down his belly really short and trim the tooshie just a little bit shorter than the goldens. I'm also going to try using this to wrap around his chest when we head out. I got the idea from seeing this vest which is used on working dogs in Afghanistan and Iraq. I ordered this bandana from Drs. Foster and Smith. I also found a mist attachment for a hydration pack I used to use while skiing, so I think I'll take that to keep him misted if I see him starting to slow down. I'm also working on getting him to go into the lake when we get there (it's our halfway point) like Woobie does which I think would help him alot to cool off. I also just bought a baseball cap with built in headlights (LOL!) so if I have to wait until after sundown or before sunrise for it to be cooler to walk him, I'll just have to do that.

They were saying on the news tonight that this June is going to go down in the record books as the hottest June in Virginia history. Tongue Tied

jennie_c_d

Posted : 6/27/2008 9:38:23 PM

Agreed. I'd shave his belly and just trim his furnishings up a bit.

I'd also soak him in shampoo, brush him out with a slicker or rake, then rinse well, soak in conditioner, brush or rake, rinse again, and force dry him. That will get tons of undercoat out.

My mom's dog is 15, and doesn't tolerate all the brushing and handling. I shaved him nekkid. Instant A/C. He feels a LOT better, and he's finally moving around some, instead of laying with his face in the vent all day. For a young dog, though, that spends time outside.... a total shave down isn't really your best bet. Belly and butt helps a TON.

BCMixs

Posted : 6/27/2008 9:45:55 PM

Thanks. I did all of that except the force dry. I really hope the deshed treatment helps. I swear, I have spent HOURS line brushing out that thin fluffy dog-gone undercoat and felt like I had a good handle on it only to discover it all back and then some in 2 weeks! It is such a pain!!!

He's only outside to go potty and for our hour long, 3 mile walk each day when it's this hot. We had a nice cool morning a little while ago and did 5 miles and he was peppy almost the whole way so I know it's the heat that's getting him. I hope this helps him. Otherwise, we'll be walking in the dark and fending off the raccoons! LOL