Summer arrives with its extreme temperatures we've become accustomed to in recent years. Fido has a thick coat and probably feels the heat.
What's the best thing to do? Is it better to let the dog keep its natural fur, or should we trim it? And if so, by how much?
But most importantly, is it right or wrong to clip the dog? Let's delve deeper into the topic, so you can make the right choice.
What does it mean to clip the dog?
Clipping refers to the short cutting of the fur, which leaves the dog with just a few millimetres of coat and is generally done with clippers.
It's one of the practices that are part of grooming the coat along with trimming (tipping) and stripping (removing dead hair).
What is the purpose of a dog's fur?
A dog's fur serves a very important function: it acts as a thermoregulator, serving as a filter and protection against the sun's rays, which could cause tumors, burns, and erythema, and from external temperatures.
And that's not all: in winter, it helps the dog stay warm, and in summer, it helps keep cool. But that's not all: the coat also has a waterproofing function and protects the dog from rheumatic diseases often due to humidity.
What is moulting?
Moulting is the process of losing fur that allows the coat to renew itself when the colder or warmer season arrives.
It's a completely natural and physiological phase, and it's necessary so that our four-legged friend can adapt to the external temperatures and better tolerate the extremes.
Not all dogs moult: only breeds with both fur and undercoat do.
Dog fur is of different types and is divided into two categories:
outer coat (guard hair), which protects against cold, rain, and wind. It is generally made up of longer and harder hair.
undercoat (down), a shorter, softer inner layer that insulates the dog's body.
During the spring renewal, the guard hair is renewed, and during the autumn, the undercoat thickens.
Among the breeds that do not moult, and whose fur protects them throughout the year, are the Poodle, the Lagotto, the Bichon Frisé, the Maltese, the Yorkshire Terrier, the Border Terrier, the Schnauzer, and others.
The moulting period is the most challenging for cohabitation between dogs and humans: in some cases, you find yourself with the house and clothes covered in fur, and it is also for this reason that many owners decide to clip their dogs.
What do I do if my dog sweats?
Dogs do not sweat like humans: they do not have sweat glands on their skin. Unlike us, dogs regulate their body temperature through the pads of their paws and panting.
When we see our dog panting, it may indeed be because they are hot, but not necessarily because they are suffering; it's just their way of regulating body temperature.
And it's important to distinguish between normal panting and that from heatstroke, a very serious condition that can lead to the animal's death.
Clipping the fur does not help this function, and so clipping them in summer is entirely useless in terms of cooling.
This assumes we're talking about a well-maintained coat, of course, and not the trimming of fur in irredeemable condition.
Should you clip your dog?
The answer is no, you should not clip your dog, unless it is a breed with continuous hair growth like the Bichon Frisé and the Poodle.
If the dog is very hot, if the fur is in poor condition due to lack of brushing, or if the dog lives in an environment where it gets very dirty, a light trimming to shorten the coat may be performed, but not a complete shave.
Alternatively, for dog breeds that require it, one of the annual stripping sessions should be done to lighten the coat's weight and ensure your pet's well-being.
Moreover, razor cutting is totally discouraged in the case of wire-haired dogs, as a skin-close cut could compromise both the regrowth and the texture and colour of the fur.
When should you clip your dog?
There are specific conditions that necessitate the dog's shaving. The dog should be clipped if the coat cannot be managed in any other way.
This will be done in the case of foundlings in desperate conditions, in the presence of parasitic infections that cannot be eradicated, or in the case of skin diseases that require the total removal of fur.
If any of these conditions occur, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian first, and then an experienced groomer who has expertise in the matter.
DIY in these cases is discouraged, as is the case for simple trims if you do not know exactly what to do.
Can I clip my dog at home?
Clipping a dog, or simply trimming its fur, is not a simple operation: first of all, you must have all the right tools: brushes, combs, clippers, adjustable table, grooming station, blower for drying... but above all, you need experience.
A dog is not a stuffed animal, and not all dogs enjoy taking a bath, let alone having their fur trimmed.
They do not stay still while being clipped, and dealing with delicate areas such as eyes, ears, snout, and genitals can be challenging if Fido squirms all the time.
Apart from the risk of accidentally injuring them, you might end up with a dog that looks terrible, and nobody wants a dog that resembles a floor mop.
A good grooming session also includes cleaning the ears and trimming the nails, which are quite difficult to do at home.
If it is not possible to put the dog in the hands of experts, for example, in an emergency where you cannot find a groomer who has time to take Fido, you could proceed with a light DIY trim.
And if the dog suffers a lot from the heat?
There are many ways to prevent the dog from suffering from the heat, regardless of the length of its fur:
Keep the air conditioning or fan on, but do not direct the air flow at the dog
Never leave it without water
Keep shutters and blinds closed
Do not take it for walks during very hot hours
Clipping would not solve the problem; ensuring it does not face risks is much more important.
What are the breeds that suffer the most from the heat?
Among the small breeds most sensitive to high temperatures are:
Pekingese
Pomeranian
French Bulldog
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Pug
Akita
Shih Tzu
Yorkshire Terrier
Brachycephalic dogs (those with flat faces) are the most sensitive to heat, so be careful with fur management.
Apart from the Pug and French Bulldog, all have long hair, making it tempting to remove as much fur as possible, risking the dog losing its natural protection from heat and ending up overheating.
Therefore, avoid opting for a close shave; a short cut is acceptable but do not go beyond that.
What can I do to avoid clipping the dog?
The best approach is to opt for a less invasive operation than clipping, starting with a simple bath, which is refreshing in itself.
Then proceed with a light trimming to shorten overgrown fur or even it out.
Finally, for certain breeds, proceed with stripping, i.e., removing all dead hair left in the coat.
But let's explain better how to perform these operations:
How to wash the dog at home
Grooming should be done in a calm environment where the dog feels comfortable. Not in a living room with the TV blaring and children screaming.
Bathing the dog can be difficult, some animals are very nervous, and you will need a lot of patience to let them be trimmed.
Brush the dog thoroughly: this operation should not be neglected, all dead hairs from the coat and undercoat, and all impurities must be removed. Make sure to brush sensitive points well, such as paws, tail, area around the genitals, muzzle, and hair under the eyes.
Insert cotton balls in the dog's ears to prevent water and foam from entering. It would be very uncomfortable for Fido.
Thoroughly wet your dog with warm water, even in hidden spots. Pour a sufficient amount of shampoo to cover the entire body with foam and start massaging well the back, then move to the head, legs, and tail. Clean well between the toes, the genital area, and the neck.
The muzzle area is the most delicate and care must be taken not to irritate the dog's eyes. If you are not sure you can do it, use a cotton ball soaked in specific cleanser instead of shampoo.
Rinse thoroughly, all foam must be removed along with the dirt. If the dog is very dirty, perform a second wash.
Repeat the previous treatment with conditioner, then rinse well. No conditioner residue should remain. This product is also important for short-haired dogs because it softens the skin as well as the fur.
Pat dry with a warm, dry towel and remove all residual water.
Dry the dog with a blower. The classic hairdryer is not recommended as its temperature, if high, could scorch the dog.
Clean the ears with the appropriate liquid, cleansing wipes, or sticks. If necessary, clean the eyes again with the cleansing liquid.
File the nails with scissor-type files, nail clippers, or a grinder. This operation is very delicate, especially if done with scissors or nail clippers. Be careful not to injure the dog.
How to trim the dog's fur at home (trimming)
After washing and drying the dog's coat, proceed as follows:
1) Start trimming the fur from the back and hind legs. Move on to the neck, chest, front legs, and belly, and then finish with the tail. If you are using a clipper, be aware that in areas with more fur, you might need to thin it out a bit with scissors first.
2) Once thinned out, start using the clipper (never against the grain). Proceed gently and without applying pressure. If the entire operation is performed with scissors, use your fingers and a suitable comb to take measurements and cut all strands to the same length.
3) Use a hairstylist's comb for cutting the fringe. It can be useful in the case of a Shih Tzu or a Yorkshire Terrier.
4) Muzzle hairs should only be removed with scissors (round-tipped if you are not an experienced groomer), never use the clipper. Be very careful around the eye area. Then proceed with the hairs between the toes.
Remember, we're talking about a trim, and the fur should never be shaved to the skin because the dog could get burned or suffer from the cold. Adjust the clipper correctly.
How to do stripping at home
Stripping is a grooming technique unfortunately essential for some dog breeds.
In this case, it is necessary to thin out the coat to ensure not only that the dog does not suffer from the heat but also to prevent it from dragging around mountains of dead hair, and thus be subject to dermatitis or other skin problems.
This practice is totally painless if performed correctly, but the reality is that it takes longer than a normal cut, and requires a lot of patience, both from us and the dog.
And it is necessary, indeed indispensable, for the health and well-being of the dog.
So, let's see how to do stripping on a dog.
Necessary tools:
ergonomic scissors
stripping knife
1) Run the stripping knife (not a knife but a comb) in the direction of the hair and gently remove the dead hair. Operate gently but firmly.
2) Continue brushing by dividing the work into different areas. Try to work very gently around sensitive areas.
3) Continue until you have removed all the dead residue both from the coat and the undercoat.
4) With ergonomic scissors, perform a light trimming in delicate areas and then trim the coat where and if necessary. When finished, it might be useful to bathe the dog with further brushing to remove what remains of the undercoat.
This is an emergency procedure, but the stripping session should be done correctly and taking all the time it needs, so it is better to leave it to an expert in the field.
I know how important it is to make the right choice when adopting a puppy or an adult dog, so it's better to inform yourself exactly about the breed's characteristics and everything you need to know about health and maintenance. Find lots of information on khani.co.uk
