One thing pet owner do in the summer is to shave their pets to help keep them cool. But that action will have the opposite effect as dogs use their long coats to remain cool throughout the summer.
While some short hair, single-coat dogs can be shaved, their fur should not get less than 1-inch in length. That gives your pet a chance at regulating their body heat properly. Also, you should not shave double-coat dogs.
That is a whole other can of worms you should avoid.
What is the Shedding Season for Dogs? Click here to learn more.
List of Dog Breeds That Shouldn’t Be Shaved
All dog breeds that have a double coat should not be shaved. The main reason is for their health. These double-coat dogs cannot regulate their body temperature very well when their fur is gone.
That puts them at risk of heat stroke. It also puts them at risk for sunburn, insect bites, and other problems. A final reason is that their coat does not look or feel that good as it grows back.
Here is a list of a few of those dogs that cannot be shaved:
Australian Shepherd
This is a dog bred for herding and its medium-length double coat helps it do fine in warm weather. Plus, it does not need a lot of grooming, but it will need at least 40 minutes per day of exercise.
German Shepherd
Everything you want in a dog, intelligence, courage, alertness, boldness, loyal, and protection this dog has. It is classified as a herding dog but it makes for a great guard dog. Its coat is coarse, medium length, and needs little grooming.
Siberian Husky
This is a low drooling dog that comes with a medium double coat. It loves to pull sledges and does not bark a lot. Grooming is not a high priority, and it is a dog that loves to chase smaller animals.
Border Collies
This is not a hypoallergenic dog breed, but it is very intelligent as well as very alert. The topcoat is a bit coarse, but its undercoat is nice and soft. This breed originated in Scotland.
Old English Sheepdog
As its name says, this dog breed is bred to herd sheep as well as cattle. Its long coat will shed seasonally but it does not bark that much. While they are smart, they like their independence.
Will Shaving My Dog Help with Shedding? Click here to learn more.
Corgis
A Welsh dog that is a bit aloof when new faces are around. It loves to herd and sometimes herds its own family of humans. They also love to bark and are seen as very smart dogs.
Shiba Inu
You might mistake this short hair double-coat dog for a wolf. Originating from Japan it has distinct facial features and can be quite affectionate. It is also very bright as well as loves being independent.
Golden Retriever
A family favorite and one with a medium-length double coat. This is a dog breed that loves to play and is very energetic. It is also a very friendly and trusting pet that loves his or her family.
Chow
This dog breed is very protective and loves to guard its territory and family. It also loves hunting and manual labor like pulling carts. It needs a lot of grooming to keep its fur looking nice and grooming isn’t hard with its laid-back personality.
Bernese Mountain Dog
This is a fairly big dog that unfortunately does not have a long lifespan. You would be lucky to get 10 years with him. Its coat is very thick and needs some regular grooming to keep it looking nice.
Cavalier King Charles
The perfect lap dog as it is very affectionate and family friendly. Plus, this dog breed is very patient and not overly energetic. Their lifespan is double of that of the Bernese Mountain dog.
Labrador Retriever
This is a short hair dog that does not need to be shaved. This dog breed loves the water and does not seem to drool, dig, or bark a lot. Also, it does not need a lot of grooming and it shouldn’t shed that much.
Some Final Words
These are just some of the dog breeds that should not be shaved. Any dog with a double coat should retain that coat throughout its life and only be trimmed by professionals.
If you are not sure which dog breed you want is a double coat or one that should not be shaved, just ask the breeder or the pet store. They should let you know.
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