Summer Cut?

My thinking is that by shaving them down you are making it easier for you rather than the dog!

So much easier to shave the dog, rather than to brush him weekly.

I'm going to go a little onto a soap box here.....if you didn't want a dog that needed regular grooming, why get a Sheltie?

That being said, I own a Pet Store with a grooming salon, and no matter the breed, my groomer is constantly asked to do shaves against her better judgement. Sometimes, she has refused. At the same time , sometimes she has agreed because the dog is so matted there is no choice.

Ok, I'm gonna duck now:hide
 
Good idea Barb, but your right you should not shave that protective coat!! Keep inside more if its that hot. And just brush!!
 
BarbV said:
My thinking is that by shaving them down you are making it easier for you rather than the dog!

So much easier to shave the dog, rather than to brush him weekly.

I'm going to go a little onto a soap box here.....if you didn't want a dog that needed regular grooming, why get a Sheltie?

That being said, I own a Pet Store with a grooming salon, and no matter the breed, my groomer is constantly asked to do shaves against her better judgement. Sometimes, she has refused. At the same time , sometimes she has agreed because the dog is so matted there is no choice.

Ok, I'm gonna duck now:hide
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I clearly stated that I would NEVER shave my dogs and that I have no problem brushing them out every day. I think you should more closely read my other posts on this thread. Again I will say, because some people need telling more than once, I WILL NEVER EVER IN AN MILLION YEARS SHAVE MY DOGS! I'm talking about a TRIM not a shave. So nobody say I shouldn't have shelties because I want to shave them, because I don't! I would also like to say that I made this thread for help NOT a lecture.
 
Tabitha said:
I clearly stated that I would NEVER shave my dogs and that I have no problem brushing them out every day. I think you should more closely read my other posts on this thread. Again I will say, because some people need telling more than once, I WILL NEVER EVER IN AN MILLION YEARS SHAVE MY DOGS! I'm talking about a TRIM not a shave. So nobody say I shouldn't have shelties because I want to shave them, because I don't! I would also like to say that I made this thread for help NOT a lecture.
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I know of several successful breeders who will puppy cut their dogs that arent being shown in the summer...I dont think id ever do it, but having Noah with his coat(even out of coat) he is still quite furry I can see where in the HOT climates it might be considered. Where I live its only usually hot for 2 months tops, and I keep the dogs in from 12-5 where its the hottest part of the day and after that it drops off in temp being near the water..
 
I'm gonna chime in here on Tab's behalf.~

I think you know your dog better than anyone. I'm not starting an argument between anyone, but honestly it is your choice. If I had a dog that suffered from such a heavy coat, I wish I could find me someone that could do a fab scissor cut on my dog. End of discussion.:rolleyes2:

I do not have access to a person knowledgeable in scissoring, so I work with what I have, and work on getting the undercoat out. Lots of warm baths, and REALLY good blow dryer will make a world of difference in blowing out the undercoat. Use quality shampoo's, rinse well.

It has nothing whatsoever to do with your choice of owning a sheltie.

As it is apparent you care a great deal for your pup. I have been tempted (but can't because there is no one)to take Trapp and get him trimmed similar to Chris' dog. I know Trapp would probably welcome the relief of carrying such a heavy coat in summer here in SC. And as some have seen my Trapp, in the humidity he simply blows up...with a huge coat. This can happen on any givin day when its hot & humid out.

I attribute Trapp's heavy coat to the fact, our house is kept probably lots cooler than a lot of homes, and his coat is heavy year round. We often times do not even have heat in the winter. This year only 1x did we need heat this winter.
Just my tuppence worth~
 
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I shaved one dog, she was 16, and you couldn't feel her skin through the hair. She was hot laying on A/C vents. I left the front legs, hocks, tail, and a mane (just cut shorter). She was happy.

Other than that, no, Shelties should not be shaved. If you think the dog is showing signs of being hot, you can shave their belly. That lets them get it on a cool surface, and will cool them down without them looking stupid or overheating from the sun hitting their skin directly.
 
Tabitha said:
Considering I don't know were you compete or how hot it is there I'm not going to say 'It's hotter here than it is there:razz:!' But on the hot summers the average is 100*F to 103*F for the high. This could go on for several week with only the occasional drop in temperature to the high 90s. On "cool" summers it's about 97*F to 99*F. Its a relief if it gets down to 90*F! I already know how to strip my dogs coat correctly. I'm not worried about the under coat, I can take care of that just fine, but the top coat is still heavy. I'm not gonna lie, my dog are pretty filthy and that adds a surprising amount of weigh. With all the dirt they are always getting baths in the summer:rolleyes2:. All I need to know is, will shortening their fur about 2" to 3" damage it? Thanks for all yawl's help!
Tabs
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Caro is in Australia. I"m fairly certain that the climate there is similar, if not hotter than where you are.

ClantyreSheltie said:
I shaved one dog, she was 16, and you couldn't feel her skin through the hair. She was hot laying on A/C vents. I left the front legs, hocks, tail, and a mane (just cut shorter). She was happy.

Other than that, no, Shelties should not be shaved. If you think the dog is showing signs of being hot, you can shave their belly. That lets them get it on a cool surface, and will cool them down without them looking stupid or overheating from the sun hitting their skin directly.
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Personally, I would definitely try trimming the underbelly before going to the extreme of having a sheltie trimmed or shaved. Then if you think your dog is still too hot, you can take more off.
 
Who is Chris

I keep reading mentions of a Chris (who I assume is a respected person in this forum) and about a puppy cut. Does anyone know how to contact this Chris and how to find someone familiar with a "puppy cut". I've never seen one on a sheltie and would like to consider one for my AZ baby girl.
Thanks
 
I think this thread has gotten confused.

Tabitha started with asking about a puppy cut.

Puppy cut means different things to different people and different breeds. Puppy cut to me means a certain about of shaving.

But Tabitha was pretty explicit that she did NOT mean shaving.

Trimming a sheltie is normal to keep them neat and tidy looking. That's not a puppy cut, that's just normal grooming.

Trimming guard hair won't do a lot to keep the dog cool. In fact, probably the opposite.

The best solution is as Michele said....regular brushing, regular bathing and a good blow dry.
 
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