I had my dog shaved- was this wrong?

One lady at the dog park had her poodle really cut short, and she had to be careful of having the dog out in the sun after that, because of the possibility of sunburn.  

Respectfully, dont do it again.... Remember where your dog comes from.  The removal of the under coat can actually interfere with cooling and protection.  Also, you dont always get the same coat consistency back.  It is better to find management options like a cool bed (essentially a water bed for dogs) or a crate pan with evaporative cooling mats, a kiddie pool, or keep them in air conditioning.  Plan exercise for the cooler parts of the day and do heavy exercise on turf not pavement.

ORIGINAL: mrv

Respectfully, dont do it again.... Remember where your dog comes from.  The removal of the under coat can actually interfere with cooling and protection.  Also, you dont always get the same coat consistency back.  It is better to find management options like a cool bed (essentially a water bed for dogs) or a crate pan with evaporative cooling mats, a kiddie pool, or keep them in air conditioning.  Plan exercise for the cooler parts of the day and do heavy exercise on turf not pavement.

 
Thanks mrv!  He's in AC all day and he only does for his walks at 7am and 7pm or later both weekedays and weekends so he doesn't get too hot and everything we do is in a grass setting in at least in those areas we've been doing the right thing. [] He won't go near water despite our attemps at getting him to take "baby steps" into the pool and ocean. Oh well, hopefully with time.
 
I was really surprised to learn what I did today. It isn't something one would consider and obviously it was sheer ignorance on our part. However, I am going to place a call to Petco and remind them that although they are trying to make a buck off of their clients they may be well-suited to educate clients and let them know when it many not be a good idea to shave pets.

ORIGINAL: mrv

Respectfully, dont do it again.... Remember where your dog comes from.  The removal of the under coat can actually interfere with cooling and protection.  Also, you dont always get the same coat consistency back.  It is better to find management options like a cool bed (essentially a water bed for dogs) or a crate pan with evaporative cooling mats, a kiddie pool, or keep them in air conditioning.  Plan exercise for the cooler parts of the day and do heavy exercise on turf not pavement.

I got one of these for my dog when the temperature gets in the 90-100 range and it works great. 

http://www.petstreetmall.com/Cool-K9-Dog-Cooling-Jacket/4173/1590/

You have all the bases covered then.  Remember there are plenty of working cattle dogs in the midwest and west who are outdoors and working day in and day out (many of them never see a groomer

I have to agree with MRV. My Aussie Shepherd suffers in the heat and I once considered shaving him for the summer. I met a fellow at the park who had shaved his Aussie and I was quite impressed - he looked really good. Anyways being the procrastinator I am, I never got around to it. I ran into the same guy the next spring (almost 12 mon. later) and the poor dog was a mess. The undercoat had grown in longer than the overcoat in numerous places. Poor baby looked like he had been chewed on. I haven't seen him since, so I have no idea if the coat eventually returned to normal. I think if your breed is not one that normally is clipped, I would not shave. And yes sunburn is a concern for all dogs with very short coats.

That sounds like a great idea - that you call Petco and tell them that they should educate their clients! I hope you follow through on this and let us know what they say.

ORIGINAL: denise m

I ran into the same guy the next spring (almost 12 mon. later) and the poor dog was a mess. The undercoat had grown in longer than the overcoat in numerous places. Poor baby looked like he had been chewed on. I haven't seen him since, so I have no idea if the coat eventually returned to normal. I think if your breed is not one that normally is clipped, I would not shave. And yes sunburn is a concern for all dogs with very short coats.

 
Okay, I am almost in tears. I am freaking out! I am so pissed at myself.

Don't be ticked at yourself. Every day with a dog is a learning experience imo. And with each dog you learn a little more.

OMG, there is a husky that goes to our park that I suspect was shaved at one point. Poor thing, his coat is awful! I've known him for almost two years and it hasn't gotten any better. His head looks normal, so I don't think it was shaved, but on his body his 'black' coat is crunchy and brown! His tail looks like a burnt match! Eep! He's still a handsome dude, though. Here he is with one of my dogs:

Don't FREAK OUT! Just keep an eye as the coat starts to grow back in. Try to keep the undercoat well brushed. If things start to look a bit patchy I would simply take him to a groomer and have them work on the undercoat. Shaved dogs are not uncommon and most of the time the coats will grow back just find. Sorry I did not mean to scare you.

Whoa!

Don't let a few comments on a forum, from people you don't know, freak you out so much!!

I don't know the truth of it, but here's another opinion!

http://cesarmillaninc.com/tips/askthevet_15.php
"In my opinion, one of the worst heat-related tragedies is when people believe the old myth that long fur insulates a dog and keeps them cool. This is true for a few seconds, but after a minute or so, the coat begins to hold in body heat. Imagine wearing a fur coat in the heat and you will get an idea of what it is like. Long-haired dogs in warmer climates should be trimmed short. Even with air conditioning, these dogs can get ridiculously hot."

I know shaving isn't usually recommended, but I know at least two dogs that have been shaved and had their coats come back in just fine.  One's a Golden that gets shaved every summer and he really seems to enjoy it -- he's so proud and prances around in his peach fuzz and enjoys the breeze, and by winter he has a full beautiful Golden coat again.
 
The other dog is an Akita and his people moved to Texas (from Alaska) for a year or so.  Akitas have a lot of coat, and they said the dog was just SO incredibly uncomfortable in the summer heat down there -- lethargic and unhappy and not wanting to do anything but lie in front of the A/C all day.  They shaved him and he was a lot happier and had more energy, etc.  They are back in Alaska now and the dog's coat is all grown out and looks fine. 
 
Anyway, maybe it's not the best idea and you won't want to do it again, but I agree, no need to freak out, and maybe you'll decide it was a good decision after all if your dog is a lot happier. 

ORIGINAL: Ixas_girl

Whoa!

Don't let a few comments on a forum, from people you don't know, freak you out so much!!

I don't know the truth of it, but here's another opinion!

[linkhttp://cesarmillaninc.com/tips/askthevet_15.php]http://cesarmillaninc.com/tips/askthevet_15.php[/link]
"In my opinion, one of the worst heat-related tragedies is when people believe the old myth that long fur insulates a dog and keeps them cool. This is true for a few seconds, but after a minute or so, the coat begins to hold in body heat. Imagine wearing a fur coat in the heat and you will get an idea of what it is like. Long-haired dogs in warmer climates should be trimmed short. Even with air conditioning, these dogs can get ridiculously hot."

 
Okay, my heart is starting to gain it's normal beat again. [] Thanks for sharing that info Ixas_girl! So who knows which theory is right or wrong I guess??? .... I suppose it's best to err on the side of caution from now on though. I just get so panicked when I read that my poor guy might not look the same again! His coar is his most defining characteristics and everyone comments on it... I would hate to think because of my poor judgement I would damage it long-term.