In the summer, many dog owners ask themselves whether they should clip their dogs. One thing is clear - regular grooming is essential. Dogs with a long coat and thick undercoat should be combed regularly. But is that enough to make the summer temperatures more bearable for your darling or does the fur have to come off? The answer to the question is very individual - it depends on the coat structure of the dog. A trip to the groomer can answer that question.
In this article we would like to give you more information about grooming your four-legged friend. We have also put together the 3 most practical grooming aids for you, which we would like to present at the end. Note: We use affiliate links marked with an (*). That means we get a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Which dogs should be shorn in summer?
Don't you know it too? Your fluffy dog lies panting in the shade in summer and hardly wants to move. They wonder how to remedy their dog. Aside from a refreshing dip in the water, trimming their fur might be an option. In order to answer this question comprehensively, we must first examine the coat structure of our dog:
The different fur textures
There are 350 dog breeds recognized by the FCI. As diverse as the dog breeds are, so is their coat and thus the grooming. In most breeds, the coat consists of two layers - the top coat and the undercoat. However, there are also dogs without an undercoat. For example, the Maltese, Yorksher Terrier, and Dalmatian are dog breeds with no undercoat.
The top coat can be divided into short hair, long hair, wavy hair (curls) and rough hair. Due to the mixture of different breeds, however, strongly curly or slightly wavy hair can also occur. The top coat determines the coat color of the dog. The undercoat of the dog is less recognizable.
The undercoat changes throughout the year. This is not only genetic, but also dependent on temperature and daylight length. In summer the undercoat is not as dense as in winter. You can find out how to care for your dog's undercoat in the summer later in the blog.
Functions of the coat
Top hair and undercoat fulfill important functions. The top coat, also known as guard hair, protects the dog from external influences such as sunlight, moisture and wind. The undercoat protects the dog from the cold in particular. Both layers change cyclically, i.e. they fall out at certain intervals and are renewed again. The different hair types also result in different requirements for grooming.
The mechanical shearing- the right choice?
Not all dogs should be clipped. Even if, as a dog owner, you would assume that clipping in summer makes sense for dogs with a dense undercoat in order to make the temperatures more bearable, mechanical clipping is not always the right choice. Whether or not you should clip your four-legged friend depends on the condition of the dog's coat and the health of the dog.
In which case can the dog be clipped?
Dogs with a single layered coat can generally be clipped. The most famous example of this is the poodle. However, the fur should not be clipped too short, otherwise it will lose its protective properties. If the fur is too short, the risk of sunburn is very high. In winter, on the other hand, these dogs often need a coat, since there is no warm undercoat to protect the dogs from cooling down.Older dogs, for whom the dense undercoat is a burden due to their own weight, should also be clipped in summer
In which case should the dog not be clipped?
Dog breeds with a dense undercoat, such as the German Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog, should generally not be clipped. Shearing only shortens the top coat and part of the undercoat. The undercoat then forms a dense “carpet” that is impermeable to air and matted easily. Skin diseases and even inflammation can be the result. As mentioned above, the exception is dogs with health problems, for which clipping can be a relief. Despite this, the fur needs to be brushed regularly to avoid matting.
For dogs whose fur is already so heavily matted that brushing is no longer possible, a full clip is also necessary. If you decide to do a complete clip with the machine, there are a few things to consider.
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Loud noises can make our pets anxious. Low noise pet clippers for cats and dogs are designed with low vibration and low noise technology!
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They should have ceramic or titanium blades. They don't rust or dull as quickly, so their cutting ability lasts longer. These blades can handle even the thickest of hair or fur - straight or curly. They don't bind and allow for a smoother shave.
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You should have as many adjustment options as possible so that the dog's fur can be adapted exactly to the necessary needs.
Our pick of the most practical grooming products:
The Kahume team has researched for you and found the best device, not only in terms of price and performance, but also in terms of quality. This animal hair clipper* convinced us the most.
But how do you groom dogs with a thick undercoat in summer?
The dog's coat should be brushed regularly with special hair brushes (trimming brushes) that remove the undercoat. This thins out the undercoat and air circulation is guaranteed. This undercoat brush* is our favourite.
Can I also trim the fur by hand?
Certain breeds, such as the Giant Schnauzer, have their fur trimmed. Hand trimming or a trimmer plucks the dead hair out of the rest of the hair. However, this should only be carried out by qualified personnel, since plucking the dead hair can also be painful.
One of our pets' favorites is the tried-and-true petting glove. This not only serves as an excellent tool for grooming, but also increases the well-being of our fur noses. Massage your dog or cat with this Grooming Glove* while grooming it.
Conclusion
A summer hairstyle with scissors is not always right. You should take a close look at the texture of your dog's coat. Especially with mixed breeds, it is often not easy to tell whether the dog just needs to be brushed, clipped or trimmed.A trip to the dog groomer is helpful in all cases