Your groomer and vet are the experts, you shouldn't shave a double coat. Not only does it mess with the dog's ability to regulate their body temperature, it also often doesn't grow back in properly. The best way to manage your dog's coat is to learn how to properly brush out a double coat and do so at least twice a week
and she does???
All the vets and groomers in the world are coming together to conspire against your sister? She must be very important, you should be honored
RIGHT?! Unless the sister is a husky that was cursed by a witch and transformed into OP's human sister, I have no idea what makes her think she's the ultimate authority on how this dog feels or what it needs.
Have your vet talk to your mom and sister. Coming from an expert will hopefully help you. And they do shed the undercoat in the summer months. You can collect enough to make two big, huge pillows. LOL!
Get a proper undercoat brush like a Furminator (apparently the ones with straight teeth are best)
They take the undercoat right out.
As for the shaving thing, look at the really fluffy border collies/Australian shepherds zooming about chasing sheep all day in the summer sun - they’re perfectly happy in their big coats and it’s all down to the double layer keeping them cool
definitely don’t get a furminator for dogs like huskies, it actually damages the guard coat in the process of removing the undercoat because of the sharp teeth. i always recommend a slicker brush, comb, and undercoat rake to my clients.
This is helpful thanks! I noticed the furminator making the straight top coat on my dog all weird where id used it so i stopped thaf but couldnt find a good alternative
I have collies, I know your pain. Shaving them does no good. The shedding hair is their undercoat, shaving takes off the outer coat. Double coated dogs need their coats for insulation. Dogs sweat through panting and their paws.
Oh, god, I totally remember what that was like. My soul dog who unfortunately passed away a few months ago was a Carolina dog and they're notorious for how much they shed. I remember laying with him, getting up, and having such a thick later of fur on me you could barely see the color of my clothes under it. Man I miss my baby. I honestly think no one has ever or will ever love me as much as he did, and I will never feel the same way about any other animal ever. I have 2 dogs now who I absolutely love, it's just not the same.
>Have your vet talk to your mom and sister.
Is this a thing? Why should the vet have to waste time talking to people who aren't the dog owners and have nothing to do with its care?
It falls to OP to deal with busybodies in their life, not the vet.
It's also possible that mom/sister takes it on themselves to shave the dog without permission because "they know better" than OP, the vet, and the groomer. I've heard some people do some extreme things in their narcissism.
Show your sister and mother the replies on this thread and have them google it. Maybe if they see literally everyone advising the same as your vet and groomer they will believe you
Your sister clearly knows shit. She’s not a groomer and she’s not a vet.
Please do not shave your dog, double coats do not grow back properly as all the hair grows at the same time and so the guard hairs are ruined.
These situations are usually pretty frustrating, and I commend you on holding firm and doing what's best for your dog! Shaving a husky mix would actually make them MORE susceptible to heatstroke and sunburn, as well as skin cancer as a result of sun exposure. If you want to show your family what the experts say, here are some fairly reputable sources on why you should not shave a double-coated dog like a Husky:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/is-it-ok-to-shave-your-dog/
https://sitmeanssit.com/dog-training-mu/cleveland-akron-dog-training/fur-facts-dog-breeds-that-shouldnt-be-shaved/#:~:text=Breeds%20like%20Siberian%20Huskies%2C%20Alaskan,to%20temperature%20extremes%20and%20sunburn.
https://www.bluewheelers.com.au/why-you-shouldnt-shave-double-coated-dogs/#:~:text=Cutting%20the%20fur%20damages%20the,skin%20conditions%20such%20as%20alopecia.
https://www.scenthound.com/dogblog/can-you-shave-a-double-coated-dog
https://www.thefurologist417.com/post/truth-about-shaving-doubled-coated-breeds
Your dog is lucky to have a caring and responsible human like you to care for them. Best of luck!
Had a husky, fur is a PITA but i never shaved her . I saw shaved malamutes and huskies and the fur grows back TERRIBLE. Huge balls of fur that do nothing for temperature regulation. It makes them very prone to over heating and hypothermia . Just google it its a well know fact.
Shaved fur also makes that dog more prone to having bot fly larvae called cuterebra embed themselves into the dog. They need skin to burrow into and grow inside of. Double coated dogs have the best natural protection, as do dogs that are taller and not so close to grass blades.
Cuterebra grow just under the skin until they choose to pop out.....once they are about the size of a nickle. Sorry to share this gross tidbit but doesn't hurt to know and watch for them during summer months lol
Former Pomerian owner here, that double coat actually insulates the dog from the heat for a short time. Pom's are also double coated, they were originally sled dogs that were bred down in size. I've had 2 Poms in Florida with no problems.
It's YOUR dog. Do your research, consult subject matter experts (vets, groomers) and tell anyone else to Fluff off. Just so you know, fur protects your dog from heat, cold and sun burns. Shaving should be done for hygienic purposes only.
Hello,
Former groomer and vet tech here, please do NOT listen to your sister. She's being an idiot.
Your vet and groomer are 100% correct. You will fuck up that dog's coat if you shave them down. Not to mention you open your dog up to skin infections and irritation, which can just lead to even more problems.
I understand what you're going through, I have an Alaskan Malamute/ GSD mix. He has a double coat and I want nothing more than to shave him down at times, but in the long run, it's just going to damage him.
Hi! I'm a professional groomer that went to grooming school! I highly recommend sending your pup to the groomer and ask for a deshed service (this removes undercoat that is already shed). When done properly, what remains is the guard hair and some unshed undercoat and your pup will be able to regulate heat a lot better too. It's more expensive than a regular bath & Dry but it's super worth it when you arent covered in excessive amounts of fur!
A good groomer will use special deshedding products & tools or a technique called Close-Open-Close to help remove as much shedded undercoat as possible.
Just a note that dog grooming is an unregulated industry and anyone can literally start their own dog grooming business and start grooming dogs without education. I know some groomers who shave double coated dogs :(. The fact that your groomer refused to do it is a great sign!
⬆️ This is good advice. I have a mutt that looks like a flat coat retriever (but her mom was a Rottweiler) and I worried about the same thing. I live in Alabama where summer temps equal that of hell. I got a great deshedding comb on Amazon. She’s an old girl now, but when she was younger and had thicker hair, I used it almost every day in the summer. I tend to think they naturally shed what they don’t need. You’ll be amazed how much hair you will remove every day.
My dog is a mix of hound and lab, best guess. I also purchased him a deshedding comb on Amazon. I bought the Furminator, but the price has almost tripled since I bought it. There are others that look similar that should do great. As sand maiden said, it’s amazing how much hair will comb out every day.
The groomer is telling the truth. Also, double coats tend to not grow back the same if shaved.
Even if shaved bald, the coat within a week would be more coat than an actual thin coated dog and start resembling a long coated dog coat instead without the double coat. I’ve found owning a dog with a long coat and one with double coat at the same time. The double coat does better in the heat. Both miserable though. My pit with a thin coat just sprawls in the 90+ weather and is happy to bake though.
I have a husky and a pit. Total opposites for their preferred temperature. The pittie is a princess who doesn’t like her toes wet and the husky wants to splash in every puddle. Pittie goes outside to pee then straight back inside. Husky bounces through the snow with so much joy.
Oh, in the cold, the pit is fragile flower that just can’t. No cold or water, only dry baking please. I am pretty sure if I got her wet outside, even in the 90s, she would tell me she was cold and want to be under a blanket.
Ours will demand to leave the air conditioning in 90-degree weather to go sunbathe in the backyard.
She also refuses to go for walks when the temps get below freezing unless we put her jacket on her.
I don't know why people think they know better than veterinarians and groomers, whose entire livelihood revolves around knowing these kind of things about dogs. But yeah, no, you really shouldn't shave such dogs unless it's an actual emergency like severe matting.
My teenage child that loves dogs even knows to never shave a double coated dog. The fur will never grow back properly. Your family can take 30 seconds out of their day to google this. A responsible dog owner will just take their doggo back inside if they're too hot which you can tell by panting or other means.
Do NOT shave a husky. Their coats act as weatherproofing and protect them from sunburn, which is important in sunny areas. The vet and groomer have far more experience and expertise than your mother and sister. Listen to the experts. Don't shave the floof
I don’t know what your mom and sister are smoking. But the groomer is absolutely right. The double coat absolutely helps keep double coated dogs cool. And I’ll add another couple reasons why the groomer is correct. The first extra reason is that if you shave a double coated dog like a husky (or in your case a husky mix. The same for me as well actually, I’ve got a Husky Pomeranian mix myself) it can cause the fur to grow back in correctly. In addition as a second follow up point, is that because of the high probability of the fur growing back incorrectly, it can also cause a litany of skin issues such as razor burn, hots spots, and in grown hairs. Which would also further cause issues with the fur regrowing improperly. And because of any potential razor burn, hot spots, or ingrown hairs, it could also cause general redness and irritation to the skin as well from a double coated dog licking those spots. And like someone else said, it would also mess with the dog’s natural ability to regulate their body temperature. PLEASE I beg you NOT to listen to your mom and sister.
Honestly, I don't understand this mix when there was already a breed that looks just like it, with a predictable temperament. Look up the Alaskan Klee Kai.
Initially artificial insemination to my understanding. Though there ate now enough of the husky Pomeranian mix in the world that that’s no longer necessary 😅
Have your mom and sister watch some videos on YouTube from Girl with the Dogs she is a groomer and she talks about the specific of not shaving double coated dogs.
Two words: Skin Cancer.
Your dog can regulate its body heat (within reasonable limits) if you provide it with shade and lots of water. It's coat isn't a huge factor in its ability to cool down.
However if you shave your dog you're removing all its protection to UV radiation and your dog is on a one-way trip to skin cancer.
Next time it’s a hot day, and your family members look hot offer to shave their heads as it will keep them cool. Sometimes humor helps to defeat ignorance.
1. dogs will shed twice a year - IF they are still intact and have normal hormones, live outside without additional light sources and don't have any other triggering events like a stress to the immune system, such as a vaccination, surgery etc. Dogs who have been altered can have a spay/neuter coat that mats and gets impacted much more easily, that requires much more grooming
2. Groomer is not 'lying', that's what is taught, even though, as a groomer, I think it's not quite correct. A coat serves as insulation. Think of the insulation in your house- it doesn't stop a temperature change, but it does slow it down. If you don't have heat or air conditioning eventually the inside of the house will be the same temp as outside. A double coated dog will take longer to get too hot/cold because the insulation of the coat slows down the temp change, but once they get too hot, it will also take them longer to cool back down. Keeping them combed out will help.
3. Any dog is going to be hot when it's 100. Your dog is a mix of two breeds that are designed for cold climates. If the dog is overweight, that also makes it harder for them to cope with heat. Do you have any cooling beds or mats?
Certificied dog trainer, not a groomer, though I work with them and ask a lot of questions.
The only reason to ever shave a double coated dog is if they are so incredibly matted that it's literally impossible for a certified, experienced, professional groomer to de-matt and brush them out.
Do not shave your dog.
Don't shave her. It's not recommended for most dogs and definitely not ones with a double coat.
If your mom/sister are concerned about your dog shedding or being hot, try giving her a good bath, then a good brush once she dries.
You need a special comb for a double coated dog. I love furminator but you'll have to pick the right one.
Also, dogs cool themselves primarily through panting. Make sure she has lots of water (and shade if outdoors.) My dogs like ice cubes in their water. They will also splash and play in a kiddie pool.
Would shaving the dog actually stop the shedding that your mom and sister are trying to stop? ... Nope, the dog will still shed the hairs will just be shorter, and your probably beautiful dog will possibly/probably look really goofy for a few months if it grows back right at all.
If you want, bring her to a groomer and do a bath and de-shed option if they have it. It’s a great way to help manage the shedding and there’s no shaving involved. Just make sure you communicate you want a de-shed with no shaving to be done on your dog.
Do not shave but do start combing and brushed her with the right brushes! I would send her to the groomer for a deshedding session with a professional and a bath.
The only time a dog like yours should be shaved in a medical emergency as shaving them some something other then medical reason isn’t healthy for them.
I was told by a groomer even long coated dogs you don’t want to ‘shave’ to young or it can mess with their coat in bad ways. My Lhasa Apso didn’t get a full on groom until he was 9+ months old. Until then he was trimmed.
Unless your mom and sister are willing to pay for the emergency vet visit if your dog overheats after being shaved, they need to STFU.
Dogs with dual coats need them for reheat regulation. Unless there is a medical issue, there is absolutely no reason to shave a dual coat dog.
Please do not shave your dog. Double coated dogs are worse in the heat. Their separation between coats allows air flow and helps them stay cool.
Solutions: take the dog to a Groomer for a blowout or undercoat brushing.
Brush the dog yourself every day. Get a rake and a slicker brush. I use my rake to get the undercoat out, and slicker to get the loose top hairs. I don't brush her as much as I should, but she's goes to a Groomer every 4 weeks.
Please don't shave this baby. It does more harm than good, and doesn't grow back right. By grow back right, I'm not talking about how it looks. I mean its not going to help with heat and cool the same way.
No shave.
Comb. Then comb again, and when you think it's good enough, stop, eat a snack and comb some more.
It's really not an option unless you want to burn sensitive skin that's never really been exposed to the sun and its rays in any significant capacity.
“My baker told me that i needed to add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to my scones, but my plumber told me I should add 6/9 of a teaspoon to my recipe, who should I believe?”
Your groomer is wildly more qualified to groom your dog than your mom is. Even so, spend a few minutes on google looking up breed-specific grooming requirements for your pet, because the industry is hardly regulated.
FYI huskies, as well as a few other breeds (like mine) have something called a double coat, which is literally designed to help them regulate their body temperature in spite of the actual outdoor temperature, and they shouldn’t be shaved because that fucks up their natural temperature regulation.
Don’t. Take. My. Word. For. It.
Trust, but verify.
And then decide accordingly.
Unless your mom is due to participate in Iditarod though, you might want to verify extra hard.
**DO NOT SHAVE A DOG THAT HAS A DOUBLE COAT!**
Ever seen someone who never sees sunlight try to tan and get burnt to shit? Yeah, that's what'll happen to your dog's protected skin if they shave her. Their fur is built to insulate them during cold weather and trap cool air close to the skin in warm weather. Shaving a double coated dog ruins their coat, leaves them at risk to burn their skin, and leaves them hotter and at a higher risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Ingrown hairs can lead to irritation, which can lead to an open wound from scratching, which can then lead to infection. Or at this time of year, a higher chance of your dog having a cuterebra larvae embed itself in the skin **and grow inside your dog until it is the size of a nickle.** Do not shave your dog, do not leave your dog with untrustworthy family, and let them know if they shave your dog you're shaving their head. Roughly. And holding them financially responsible for all costs associated with their irresponsible, incorrect idea.
Your sister is either uneducated or lying. Either way, she should stfu as she is incredibly wrong. But it isn't her health at risk, so I guess she can afford to be!
ETA: This is all info free on Google, provided by my multiple vets, reputable dog groomers, and by the training school I got my Akita from. He's my service dog for epilepsy. Your sister doesn't know as much as people that train dogs to save lives, or the people that save dogs' lives. Your sister can get wrecked.
Your groomer is correct. The double coat provides insulation so helps keep her warm when it’s cold but also helps insulate her from the heat and keep her cool when it’s hot.
You cannot shave a Husky or Husky mix or any other kind of double coated dog. Ever. It will not grow back correctly and they will get heatstroke and sunburn. Your sister and your mom are idiots.
Your groomer is correct with one caveat. It’s not uncommon for mixed breed dogs with different coat types to not have a “correct” double coat. The coat can be “open” or have a variety of defects that keep it from functioning properly. But your groomer should be able to tell whether a coat is correct or not. A correct double coat should not be shaved but if the coat is matting, isn’t laying properly, whatever, your groomer might recommend shaving. Just make sure your groomer knows what a correct double coat looks like.
Please don’t shave. I learned that husky’s are at risk of developing skin cancer and other issues because their coat protects them from the harmful UV rays. Their skin isn’t meant to be exposed to the sun. Your mother and sister are ignorants and idiots and are giving you horrible advice.
I grew up with huskies. I worked in the grooming industry. I did a lot of research before adopting my current husky malamute pup. Do your own research too! You’ll see all the different sources proving your family are the ones lying.
The groomer is right. The coat keeps her cool.
There are also certain breeds that should never be shaved or cut too close to the skin because the coat will not grow back
The groomer is right, as others have said. Shaving it is only going to make it worse for the dog. The best thing you can do is keep the coat nicely brushed and healthy.
Do not shave a double coated dog. My pup is a husky mix (with others). I got a kiddie pool and trained her to go in it when outside. The dogs love the kiddie pool. But, in heat, the husky mixes just go out for a short minute and want back inside pretty fast.
Keep the fur.
What's the fun of a husky if there's no floof?
Also make sure your family members don't take the dog out to be groomed.
It'll ruin the double coat.
Get on Husky owners groups and see what people do, but be careful, there are also echo chambers full of misinformation.
And my mother says my dog is too thin. It’s your job to safeguard your dog from people with no knowledge on dogs. Trust the groomer, and maybe take them for a deshedding bath so their coat can function efficiently to keep your dog cooler. Too much impacted undercoat can definitely help your dog overheat.
No, no, no....do NOT shave! Fur protects from the heat, just make sure she's in during the worst of it. Shaving will also destroy her double coat. As far as shedding, if you shave, you will now have tiny little hairs that are nearly impossible to get up.
Also, ask your sister why would the groomer lie? If she said sure that'd be a good payday for her.
Definitely don't shave the dog, it will destroy their undercoat. Do a lot of grooming, don't let pup out at the hottest timrs of day, walk in the early hours/late at night if you can and I'd you can't don't walk them at all. Imagine walking barefoot on the ground and see how long you'd last before walking your dog. Keep them hydrated.
Dogs blow their coats in the warm weather, ESPECIALLY ones with double coats. Even my cat has extensive shedding right now, and he's kept inside in the AC.
I used to groom and the groomer is right. Shaving a Husky will break it's coat, and there is no guarantee it will grow back properly. No qualified groomer here would ever do that beyond extenuating circumstances. It does not need to be shaved to keep your dog cool. It should have a deep brushing, you can do it outside, it will reduce the shedding and hopefully keep your family off your back (since I'm assuming it's the hair flying around that is causing them to bother you about it).
Your mother and your sister are idiots living on old urban legends.
Double coated dogs don't need to be shaved. They shed twice a year when the seasons change, it has nothing to do with them being too hot, shaving them will ruin their coat and it can take years to grow back in properly. Keep your sister away from your dog and sharp objects.
Please do NOT shave her. Double coated dogs should not be ever shaved because it messes with how they regulate their body temperature. She would get overheated in the summer very quickly. She would be really cold in winter and the coat that would grow after would also get so matted that you would have to keep shaving her. It’s really not worth the health issues it can lead to. Don’t let them convince you otherwise! The coat has its purpose.
If a full coat keeping your dog hot? Well, yeah. Huskies were bred to live in snowy areas, not in 100 degree heat. BUT shaving off their fur isn't going to cool them. They're not people, they don't sweat from all areas of the skin like we do. That's how we keep cool.
Best bet is to keep the husky fully brushed out, because impacted fur will hold in heat, whereas brushed out fur will allow air flow. Keep the dog indoors, or give it a cool shaded area outside, when the temperature is high.
Listen to your groomer. She needs thorough regular brushing, but shaving deprives her of the cooling provided by the double coat, and puts her at risk of sunburn.
If you shave a double coated dog, it damages their hair. It doesn't grow back the same, often patchy looking. The double coat insulates against heat and cold.
If you shave her she probably would die from the heat. Brush her out, get a gel cooling mat, give her ice cubes, keep her out of the hottest sun during the day. If she over heats use rubbing alcohol on her paw pads.
Finally got a de-shedding conditioner and it's AMAZING! on her post bath run instead of the usual fine mist of fluff everywhere it was coming out in clumps. And that first brush was incredible. I put a rubbermaid tub inside my bathtub to wash her in and drained it in the back yard and the pile of fluff was impressive. Highly recommend.
Both my chow and husky would sleep on the sand pile in the sun in hot weather. They wouldn't stay long, but they still enjoyed it. That long outer fur is like an umbrella shading their skin. Remove it and they'll burn. Insulation keeps cool as well as warm.
your sister and mom, while they mean well, should shut tf up. the double coat helps them warm up or cool down as needed based on the climate they're in.
I’ve seen mothers/sisters take people’s dogs and get them shaved anyways without the owner’s consent!! Please be careful! 😭 tell them, thank you for your concern but I’ve talked to professionals and we’re good for now.
Don't save your dog. Do brush them daily to help with shedding. I use a horse shedder on my dog be gentle, lots of treats, but don't shave its bad for double coated dogs.
Why would the groomer lie to you that your dog is fine lol? If a groomer was going to lie i'd assume it to be so that they can make *more* money and they'd tell you the opposite to get you to come back... why would your sister think the groomer has any reason to lie to you about this i'm just confused? The groomer is correct btw. Shaving could permanently damage her double coat and she may not be able to grow it back properly. Please do not shave the dog lol
So your sister thinks she knows more about your particular dog's fur then both its owner and the groomers that actually went to school for this?
Obviously she's wrong! It can take 2 years or more for a double coat to grow back in correctly and in the meantime your dog is going to be very uncomfortable because that coat helps them to stay cool in the heat!
Seriously ask her where she was trained that she knows so much more about your dog's furt than the vet?
DO NOT SHAVE YOUR DOG!
I work in the vet field and I swear, the amount of dogs that DIE from heatstroke every year because the owner decides they are smarter than us, and shaves a double coated dog is sad.
Your groomer is 100% correct and tell your sister if she shaves your dog without your consent, she is now signing up for ALL of his skin care products, all grooming appointments(because you will have to keep up the cut.) And vet bills. Tell your sister she will RUIN your dog, both mentally and physically.
I've slapped people for trying to convince me to shave my huskies.
If she doesn't like the dog hair she can MOVE OUT.
That's all I can say before I get heated.
If she is shedding an insane amount, take her to a groomer. They will be able to blow out that undercoat that is coming loose. Huskies (and all double coated breeds) should only ever be shaved if they are completely compacted beyond saving. That is INCREDIBLY rare though, and the vast majority of dogs will blow that undercoat right out with a high velocity dryer. Your dog likely just needs twice a year grooming, and you can keep up with brushing (I would suggest getting a GOOD slicker like the Chris Christensen coral slicker) the rest of the year.
DO NOT SHAVE A DUAL COAT DOG IN THE HEAT! they could die of heat stroke. Their undercoat insulates them, actually helps them keep cool if theh can be in the shade. Out of courtesy for your dog maybe choose to walk early morning and in the evening when its a bit cooler but do not shave them. Your grommer is right. Ive heard too many stories about folks shaving their dual or shaggy coat dog for summer and they either passed away or had a terrible experience from heat stroke. Careful!!!
Don’t shave her. Brush out all the under coat. If you shave her she will not be able to keep moisture away from her skin and the thickness of the short fur will make her skin start getting moldy and rotting. This happened to my malamute.
As others have said your dog is double coated and should not be shaved. I’m a dog groomer and I would personally deny this service to anyone who would ask. Shaving the outer hair of the coat can cause it to be hotter because the guard hairs help reflect light from the dog and helps to keep it cooler. And in the winter it helps insulate it to keep it warm. Shaving can cause your dog to get sunburnt too. Not only will it look horrible and have the opposite effect but it can possibly not grow back, grow back patchy, grow back a different color and/or texture…… it’s very likely the coat will never be the same. Unless there is a medical reason never shave a double coated dog!
We have an Elkhound and were told NO for the love of God don't shave that dog. So we don't. I didn't go to the gazillion years of school our vets did. SO we listen to the vets.
We do get him cooled off in the creek although I'm not convinced *any* water gets through all that hair.
But he has fun chasing minnows so there's a win in there somewhere.
Your lab/husky mix has a double coat to protect against severe heat and cold. Never shave the undercoat. Daily, yes daily brushing will thin it out and keep his skin healthy.
I’m in Canada with temps just around 70 and my dog blows her coat right now.
I think I know exactly why your sister and mother want you to shave your dog. They don’t like all the hair everywhere.
Please don’t shave your dog.
I have two double coated dogs, one blows his coat while the other loses hers more gradually. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of shaving them… I feel like that would just make the coat more dense and unable to pass air through.
My golden husky does get the snip snip though because her grinch feet and mukluks (leg hair) get ridiculous, she also cannot stay out of bur bushes so her tail also gets the snip snip, along with her mud flaps (butt fur.)
Do not shave her, she will be hotter and quite possibly die of heat stroke.
Brush her daily outside to help with the shedding, you should be able to knit an entire chihuahua with her fur daily. During no shedding months a weekly brushing will keep it under control.
Do not shave her. Do this. Next time you have your dog out in the sun for a bit feel of her skin from under her coat, it’s cooler than her hair on top right? That’s because her coat is trapping the cold in to itself to keep her from overheating. If you shaved her she’d loose that and just be hot like her top coat is. That’s when she’d over heat. Let you mom and sister feel the difference too, maybe it’ll make it click in their heads.
This time of year they’ll shed like crazy, you can buy one of those rake type deshedders to use outside or if she’ll tolerate it I’ve had luck with the vacuum brush attachments that suck the hair off them.
My mom’s a professional certified master dog groomer who grooms show dogs, pet dogs, and competes in grooming competitions. She won’t shave a double coated dog for any reason. The dog just needs to have its undercoat raked a couple times a week, be brushed out daily, and have a proper bath and blow out with a high velocity dryer every 4-6 weeks. Their coats are how they thermoregulate. Removing the coat removes their ability to do so. Shaving it has a high likeliness of permanently damaging the coat as well so it would never come back correctly.
In general, you should not shave a husky mix or other double-coated dog unless it's absolutely necessary. Shaving can make it harder for a dog to regulate its body temperature, protect its skin, and shield it from UV rays. It can also expose the dog to sunburn and long-term hair loss. When the two coats grow back after shaving, they may not blend properly, which can affect the dog's protection and appearance. You can also brush your husky's coat regularly, at least once a week, to help maintain it. Use a wide-toothed comb to remove mats, then a paddle brush to smooth and loosen any stray hairs.
I found this with a quick Google search.
It’s not okay to shave a dog with a double coat like a husky. It is extremely harmful and actually makes it so they can’t regulate their temperature. Shedding is normal
I remember when my mom shaved our chows one summer....those poor, overheated little bobble heads.....they were miserable.
And when their fur "grew back," my god they looked so dumb. And it was so coarse and gross to the touch, and OILY
My daughter used to take her GSD out in the yard with a good brush a couple of times a week starting in early spring and got bag full. And her dog was on the small side her breed.
As others say - DON’T shave a double coat.
I came on to add, having had several double coated dogs similar to huskies, that it is TOTALLY worth getting the exact right grooming tools (rakes, deshedders, etc) that are specific to your dog breed’s coat.
It makes such a difference in being able to effectively get the undercoat out. And prevents damaging the fur.
I had a bunch of amazing tools for grooming akitas and huskies, designed for their thick coarse undercoats. When I got a Swiss shepherd, also with a double coat, the rakes and combs I had just did not do the job, so I gave away / sold them and got different rakes and combs that are more suited for the Shepherd coat. I got advice from Shepherd owners on which ones to get.
I have seen people using the wrong grooming tools on different dog breeds and it just makes it really hard work and can cause discomfort to the dog.
It’s worth speaking to groomers and perhaps people who show and breed huskies and invest in GOOD quality tools, not cheap ones that goes blunt or bend or wear out easily, which can also ruin the coat.
Whatever you do, do NOT leave your dog with EITHER of them. This level of "no, you're wrong, I'm right, and nothing you say will change my mind", comes with a level of entitlement and they will more than likely shave the dog because " they were doing what's best"
Don't shave your dog. Dogs shouldn't be shaved at all. Sure, groom to remove loose hairs and undercoat, but do not shave. It will do them more harm than good.
I have a Pomeranian and will cut about half his fur length off in the summer. Right now his undercoat is about 3/4 inch long. He likes it because he gets "scritch scratches" when his fur is shorter. I have also had a groomer shave him. There have been no issues either way in his 15 years of life.
My mom has a husky. They shed like crazy and you need to groom all that itchy loose fur off daily. However, I have never heard of one being shaven.
The coat has cooling and warming features. I have a malamute but they are very similar.
Shaving is a bad idea, but something does need to be done for them in that heat. They aren't built for it. Paying attention to the animal is always going to be a better solution then "grooming" though.
I had a long haired Chihuahua and I shaved him completely, and then went on a trip to Arizona thinking it would keep him cool. He almost died from heat stroke. The double coat is there for a reason. Listen to the groomer and not people who don’t know what they’re talking about.
I'm sorry to inform you, but in this instance, your sister is an idiot. The only way she is going to believe it is if you lead that horse to water,
then shove her head in it.
Tell her to research double coated digs and see if it's recommended to shave in hot weather. The truth is sometimes hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes!
In addition to keeping the dog cool, it also provides sunblock for their skin, which can and does burn horribly, especially by the breeds whose skin is normally exposed.
I do feel your pain at unsolicited advice regarding dogs. I have 2 double-coat dogs; a blue Merle sheltie and a tri-color border collie (majority black). My lab/pit is a smooth single coat. Yesterday, it was 95° with high humidity, and the sheltie and collie were sprawled in direct sun, living their best lives! My poor lab/pit went out, did her business, ate her food, got in her pool and then found shade. She was out for 15 minutes and was panting like crazy. I let her back in, and she immediately laid down on the tile floor, over the floor register that was spewing 68° air, and didn't move til she needed to go out again.
I have two pug puppies, which is a double coated breed. Absolutely, I would not recommend shaving your dog. He/she could get like a sanitary trim (around the paw pads, around the butt, that kind of stuff) but I definitely wouldn’t shave them.
Surprisingly, my boys actually do not shed bad at all. But when I give them baths, I use a deshedding tool just to keep their fur nice and tidy. The one I use is called a furminator, and it’s pretty common. Mine was about $60 but I’ve seen some around $35. Try it out!
EDIT : I should have probably mentioned like some of the others said, it’s perfectly fine to do a deshedding treatment at the groomer also. It’s probably a better option truthfully. My boys also have that done occasionally just to get the “full package” lol. But I still love to use the tool on them a few times a week. And they love it also which is a plus because it calms them
The groomer is right.DO NOT SHAVE. It will permanently damage the dogs coat therefore its ability to thermoregulate. Your mum and sister don’t know what they’re talking about.
You could always direct them to the
“Girl who grooms dogs” YT channel where she grooms multiple husky or malamute mixes and goes into great detail about their coats.
Your dogs coat will never recover if shaved
Your sister sounds like a know-it-all who doesn't know it all. Let her shave her own pets and leave yours alone. Shedding is a seasonal thing in pets and has nothing to do with being overheated. Would she shave a long-haired cat? They shed like they're trying to go bald, but--voila, they don't go bald, they just grow replacement hair. Same with huskies and labs, their fur has evolved to serve them, not stifle them.
BTW, I'm picturing a shaved husky, and that can't look good.
Do not shave your husky!!!!
I highly recommend the whole shebang with your groomer. I take my husky shepherd to the groomer (we call “going to the spa”) twice a year.
In between the groomer sessions (which truly are incredible when you find someone who cares and has the tools and experience) remove the undercoat yourself and also detangle the coat in general, just for general maintenance I mean, use a flat slicker style metal brush if you can
Again, do not shave your husky unless you need to for a medical procedure or something. A husky’s overcoat protects their skin from the sun. Among a variety of other important reasons. If you must, you must, but for the purposes you state, shaving your husky’s coat will not accomplish what you want. It will decrease their ability to handle the hot conditions you live in. Taking out their undercoat in a gentle yet thorough way will however help your husky, and this is done through a combination of brushing and washing and also if you have them then pressurized air and other such tools
Why would a groomer lie about it? That’s a potential client they could make good money on. If anything a dishonest groomer would just shave any dog down to make some money.
Don't listen to your mom and sister. And don't let them around your dog alone, or they'll like give your doggo a buzz cut.
Just keep brushing. And brushing. And brushing. And tell them to mind their own business.
A good groomer should have de shedding shampoo and a blow dryer that takes the fur off.
Don’t shave them, the coat will never grow right again most likely.
If you shave a double coat dog then put him out in the sun, he WILL sunburn! Your sister is opinionated, not educated in this matter. Give him a plastic kiddie pool and brush him regularly.
Groomers and vet are not lying about the coat, keeping them cool . It also keeps them from getting severely sunburned . Could you imagine what it would feel like to grow all your thick fur back through sunburn? Dogs do not shed just because they're hot. Your mom and sister can literally google this. Also, shaving that type of coat will change the coat. It won't grow back the same . The coat will look bad and will be a mess, and it takes a long time ,like years, to get back to normal. Source : groomer for over a decade .
Tell them to Google “should I shave my husky when the temps are high?” The whole list says you shouldn’t even the ASPCA says the double coat insulates against cold & hit temps.
Hi Vet Assistant here. Absolutely 100% DO NOT SHAVE THAT DOG!!!!! Its undercoat is doing exactly what the groomer said. Helping to cool it down. In the winter it keeps the dog warm. If you shave that dog there’s a god chance the undercoat will NOT grow back properly or grow back at all causing severe temperature regulation issues for your dog in the future. Do not, I repeat do not listen to your uneducated sister or your mother on this subject. Listen to the experts who have gone to college and learned about this. For example: your vet, your groomer, ME! Tell your family it’s your dog and to back the hell off and for the love of that animal do NOT leave it alone with them for ANY reason at all or they will just shave it for you.
Your sister and your mother are idiots. Please listen to your vet and the groomer. If you shave your dog you're going to make her hotter. I know it's counterintuitive but those are quite capable of these women cells cool even with a lot of fur. You will need to brush her and comb her everyday while she shedding.
Your sister has no idea what she’s talking about. Sounds like your husky is blowing his coat right now. You will need to do lots and lots of brushing. Their double coat helps them stay warm in winter and cool in the summer. Shaving him would hinder this ability and as already mentioned his coat may not grow back correctly. I groom my own dogs and I’m subbed to some the dog grooming subreddits and this has come up a lot of times and the professional groomers have said the same.
I recommend a velocity dryer. They can be pricey, but they use force to blow out the loose fur. Use it before a bath to get out excess hair, and then after the bath to dry, and blow out even more excess hair. It helps, A LOT. If you have the means, a groomer could do a de-shed and use their dryer to get out the excess coat.
Your sister is, to put it kindly, a moron.
I have 2 huskies, they shed like crazy but I wouldn't dream of shaving them for anything other than medical reasons. Their coat is their insulation, it keeps them warm in winter & cool in summer, it also protects their skin from the sun. If you shave a double coat you'll either have to spend hundreds on more frequent grooming, the right nutrition to ensure the coat grows back correctly (the guard hairs take ages, my girl had her belly and sides shaved last July for surgery and her guard hairs are still growing back in) and doggie clothes to protect from the sun or you'll have to live with a dog that has horrible coarse fur, is constantly losing chunks of fur and is uncomfortable because the coats have been screwed up.
It's not worth it.
Tell your mom and sister to properly educate themselves. I’ve got an Akita who also has a double coat and I would never ever think about shaving him.
It’ll mess up the fur
The professionals who know their actual business have told you what your dog needs
When your sister and mother graduate from veterinary college, they can discuss this with you again. Until then, trust the professionals
ALSO
FYI, double coated dogs often have challenges with getting wet (the water winds up being held in their undercoat and not evaporating, and so become counterproductive.) important to look up and find out if you plan to take your pup swimming.
Hard no. She’ll be more hot and look stupid, might even get a sunburn. The hair will grow back more course or just not the way it was before. Absolutely do not shave the dog.
Explain the concept of insulation to your sister. She lives in an insulated house, and that insulation keeps the inside temperature much more consistent than the outside temperature - cool in summer, warm in winter.
The insulation does its job whether it's 20 degrees or 102, within reason. In the same way as it'd be really dumb to take all the insulation out of your attic and walls, it would be dumb to shave your double coated dog.
It's why sled dogs or wolves actually sleep *under* snow often. It's actually another insulation layer against cooler air temps.
Your groomer & vet are correct. Shaving double coated dogs actually messes with their natural cooling. The coat will also never grow back properly, so you’ll need to shave her constantly forever.
Never shave a double coated dog. The groomer is 100% correct. Very rarely is there a reason to do so and it's usually medical, so your vet would be the one telling you to do so.
Your groomer and vet are the experts, you shouldn't shave a double coat. Not only does it mess with the dog's ability to regulate their body temperature, it also often doesn't grow back in properly. The best way to manage your dog's coat is to learn how to properly brush out a double coat and do so at least twice a week
Thank you that’s what I told my sister and she got mad saying I don’t know what I’m talking about
and she does??? All the vets and groomers in the world are coming together to conspire against your sister? She must be very important, you should be honored
RIGHT?! Unless the sister is a husky that was cursed by a witch and transformed into OP's human sister, I have no idea what makes her think she's the ultimate authority on how this dog feels or what it needs.
Sounds like op is the cursed one, having a sister like that.
Have your vet talk to your mom and sister. Coming from an expert will hopefully help you. And they do shed the undercoat in the summer months. You can collect enough to make two big, huge pillows. LOL!
I hug her and I’m cover in hair she’s lucky she’s cute!
Are you regularly brushing her?
Of course!! I always try to brush her hair and take her to the park daily, I’ll miss here and there but never two days in a row!!
Gotta start in March/April. Or wherever you are that is Spring. Soon as days get longer coat will begin to blow out.
Get a proper undercoat brush like a Furminator (apparently the ones with straight teeth are best) They take the undercoat right out. As for the shaving thing, look at the really fluffy border collies/Australian shepherds zooming about chasing sheep all day in the summer sun - they’re perfectly happy in their big coats and it’s all down to the double layer keeping them cool
definitely don’t get a furminator for dogs like huskies, it actually damages the guard coat in the process of removing the undercoat because of the sharp teeth. i always recommend a slicker brush, comb, and undercoat rake to my clients.
This is helpful thanks! I noticed the furminator making the straight top coat on my dog all weird where id used it so i stopped thaf but couldnt find a good alternative
Would you recommend a high velocity dryer?
absolutely, a velocity dryer will do most of the work for you
No outfit is complete without dog hair.
Or cat hair😄
Without dog or cathair means im not dressed
I have collies, I know your pain. Shaving them does no good. The shedding hair is their undercoat, shaving takes off the outer coat. Double coated dogs need their coats for insulation. Dogs sweat through panting and their paws.
If you don't use an undercoat rake, that's the type to buy for this.
Oh, god, I totally remember what that was like. My soul dog who unfortunately passed away a few months ago was a Carolina dog and they're notorious for how much they shed. I remember laying with him, getting up, and having such a thick later of fur on me you could barely see the color of my clothes under it. Man I miss my baby. I honestly think no one has ever or will ever love me as much as he did, and I will never feel the same way about any other animal ever. I have 2 dogs now who I absolutely love, it's just not the same.
>Have your vet talk to your mom and sister. Is this a thing? Why should the vet have to waste time talking to people who aren't the dog owners and have nothing to do with its care? It falls to OP to deal with busybodies in their life, not the vet.
OP may be a minor or may still be dependent on their mother.
That would be fair, in that case
It's also possible that mom/sister takes it on themselves to shave the dog without permission because "they know better" than OP, the vet, and the groomer. I've heard some people do some extreme things in their narcissism.
Shave your sister
Show your sister and mother the replies on this thread and have them google it. Maybe if they see literally everyone advising the same as your vet and groomer they will believe you
Your sister clearly knows shit. She’s not a groomer and she’s not a vet. Please do not shave your dog, double coats do not grow back properly as all the hair grows at the same time and so the guard hairs are ruined.
These situations are usually pretty frustrating, and I commend you on holding firm and doing what's best for your dog! Shaving a husky mix would actually make them MORE susceptible to heatstroke and sunburn, as well as skin cancer as a result of sun exposure. If you want to show your family what the experts say, here are some fairly reputable sources on why you should not shave a double-coated dog like a Husky: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/is-it-ok-to-shave-your-dog/ https://sitmeanssit.com/dog-training-mu/cleveland-akron-dog-training/fur-facts-dog-breeds-that-shouldnt-be-shaved/#:~:text=Breeds%20like%20Siberian%20Huskies%2C%20Alaskan,to%20temperature%20extremes%20and%20sunburn. https://www.bluewheelers.com.au/why-you-shouldnt-shave-double-coated-dogs/#:~:text=Cutting%20the%20fur%20damages%20the,skin%20conditions%20such%20as%20alopecia. https://www.scenthound.com/dogblog/can-you-shave-a-double-coated-dog https://www.thefurologist417.com/post/truth-about-shaving-doubled-coated-breeds Your dog is lucky to have a caring and responsible human like you to care for them. Best of luck!
Thank you for this!!
Had a husky, fur is a PITA but i never shaved her . I saw shaved malamutes and huskies and the fur grows back TERRIBLE. Huge balls of fur that do nothing for temperature regulation. It makes them very prone to over heating and hypothermia . Just google it its a well know fact.
Shaved fur also makes that dog more prone to having bot fly larvae called cuterebra embed themselves into the dog. They need skin to burrow into and grow inside of. Double coated dogs have the best natural protection, as do dogs that are taller and not so close to grass blades. Cuterebra grow just under the skin until they choose to pop out.....once they are about the size of a nickle. Sorry to share this gross tidbit but doesn't hurt to know and watch for them during summer months lol
Tell your mom and sister to zip it. Your dog is blowing their coat. Have them deshedded at the groomer twice a year. I do it with my shepherd.
Former Pomerian owner here, that double coat actually insulates the dog from the heat for a short time. Pom's are also double coated, they were originally sled dogs that were bred down in size. I've had 2 Poms in Florida with no problems.
Ask your sister to cite a reliable source for her claim, she will be busy looking until fall.
It's YOUR dog. Do your research, consult subject matter experts (vets, groomers) and tell anyone else to Fluff off. Just so you know, fur protects your dog from heat, cold and sun burns. Shaving should be done for hygienic purposes only.
Hello, Former groomer and vet tech here, please do NOT listen to your sister. She's being an idiot. Your vet and groomer are 100% correct. You will fuck up that dog's coat if you shave them down. Not to mention you open your dog up to skin infections and irritation, which can just lead to even more problems. I understand what you're going through, I have an Alaskan Malamute/ GSD mix. He has a double coat and I want nothing more than to shave him down at times, but in the long run, it's just going to damage him.
Hi! I'm a professional groomer that went to grooming school! I highly recommend sending your pup to the groomer and ask for a deshed service (this removes undercoat that is already shed). When done properly, what remains is the guard hair and some unshed undercoat and your pup will be able to regulate heat a lot better too. It's more expensive than a regular bath & Dry but it's super worth it when you arent covered in excessive amounts of fur! A good groomer will use special deshedding products & tools or a technique called Close-Open-Close to help remove as much shedded undercoat as possible. Just a note that dog grooming is an unregulated industry and anyone can literally start their own dog grooming business and start grooming dogs without education. I know some groomers who shave double coated dogs :(. The fact that your groomer refused to do it is a great sign!
⬆️ This is good advice. I have a mutt that looks like a flat coat retriever (but her mom was a Rottweiler) and I worried about the same thing. I live in Alabama where summer temps equal that of hell. I got a great deshedding comb on Amazon. She’s an old girl now, but when she was younger and had thicker hair, I used it almost every day in the summer. I tend to think they naturally shed what they don’t need. You’ll be amazed how much hair you will remove every day.
My dog is a mix of hound and lab, best guess. I also purchased him a deshedding comb on Amazon. I bought the Furminator, but the price has almost tripled since I bought it. There are others that look similar that should do great. As sand maiden said, it’s amazing how much hair will comb out every day.
He’s a cool guy and thank you for your advice!
The groomer is right
The groomer is telling the truth. Also, double coats tend to not grow back the same if shaved. Even if shaved bald, the coat within a week would be more coat than an actual thin coated dog and start resembling a long coated dog coat instead without the double coat. I’ve found owning a dog with a long coat and one with double coat at the same time. The double coat does better in the heat. Both miserable though. My pit with a thin coat just sprawls in the 90+ weather and is happy to bake though.
I have a husky and a pit. Total opposites for their preferred temperature. The pittie is a princess who doesn’t like her toes wet and the husky wants to splash in every puddle. Pittie goes outside to pee then straight back inside. Husky bounces through the snow with so much joy.
Oh, in the cold, the pit is fragile flower that just can’t. No cold or water, only dry baking please. I am pretty sure if I got her wet outside, even in the 90s, she would tell me she was cold and want to be under a blanket.
Ours will demand to leave the air conditioning in 90-degree weather to go sunbathe in the backyard. She also refuses to go for walks when the temps get below freezing unless we put her jacket on her.
I think short coated dogs are like lizards. My chihuahuas love sunbathing on the patio and I have to force them to come inside even if it’s 90+ lol.
I don't know why people think they know better than veterinarians and groomers, whose entire livelihood revolves around knowing these kind of things about dogs. But yeah, no, you really shouldn't shave such dogs unless it's an actual emergency like severe matting.
My teenage child that loves dogs even knows to never shave a double coated dog. The fur will never grow back properly. Your family can take 30 seconds out of their day to google this. A responsible dog owner will just take their doggo back inside if they're too hot which you can tell by panting or other means.
They are ignorant and should shut up about it.
Do NOT shave a husky. Their coats act as weatherproofing and protect them from sunburn, which is important in sunny areas. The vet and groomer have far more experience and expertise than your mother and sister. Listen to the experts. Don't shave the floof
I don’t know what your mom and sister are smoking. But the groomer is absolutely right. The double coat absolutely helps keep double coated dogs cool. And I’ll add another couple reasons why the groomer is correct. The first extra reason is that if you shave a double coated dog like a husky (or in your case a husky mix. The same for me as well actually, I’ve got a Husky Pomeranian mix myself) it can cause the fur to grow back in correctly. In addition as a second follow up point, is that because of the high probability of the fur growing back incorrectly, it can also cause a litany of skin issues such as razor burn, hots spots, and in grown hairs. Which would also further cause issues with the fur regrowing improperly. And because of any potential razor burn, hot spots, or ingrown hairs, it could also cause general redness and irritation to the skin as well from a double coated dog licking those spots. And like someone else said, it would also mess with the dog’s natural ability to regulate their body temperature. PLEASE I beg you NOT to listen to your mom and sister.
Don’t worry I’ll never do anything to harm my dog
You friend are amazing 😍
I had to look up husky/pom and OMG they are so cute!
If I could show a picture of my boy I would
Honestly, I don't understand this mix when there was already a breed that looks just like it, with a predictable temperament. Look up the Alaskan Klee Kai.
Also adorable!
Cool story but may I know how a Husky and a Pomeranian mix? One is literally 10x bigger..
When a mommy dog and daddy dog love each other very much…
Initially artificial insemination to my understanding. Though there ate now enough of the husky Pomeranian mix in the world that that’s no longer necessary 😅
Had that same mix when I was younger. Do not shave that dog, it will do serous damage to the dog’s coat and remove the protection they get from it.
Have your mom and sister watch some videos on YouTube from Girl with the Dogs she is a groomer and she talks about the specific of not shaving double coated dogs.
Two words: Skin Cancer. Your dog can regulate its body heat (within reasonable limits) if you provide it with shade and lots of water. It's coat isn't a huge factor in its ability to cool down. However if you shave your dog you're removing all its protection to UV radiation and your dog is on a one-way trip to skin cancer.
Groomer is right, don’t listen to people that aren’t professionals
Next time it’s a hot day, and your family members look hot offer to shave their heads as it will keep them cool. Sometimes humor helps to defeat ignorance.
1. dogs will shed twice a year - IF they are still intact and have normal hormones, live outside without additional light sources and don't have any other triggering events like a stress to the immune system, such as a vaccination, surgery etc. Dogs who have been altered can have a spay/neuter coat that mats and gets impacted much more easily, that requires much more grooming 2. Groomer is not 'lying', that's what is taught, even though, as a groomer, I think it's not quite correct. A coat serves as insulation. Think of the insulation in your house- it doesn't stop a temperature change, but it does slow it down. If you don't have heat or air conditioning eventually the inside of the house will be the same temp as outside. A double coated dog will take longer to get too hot/cold because the insulation of the coat slows down the temp change, but once they get too hot, it will also take them longer to cool back down. Keeping them combed out will help. 3. Any dog is going to be hot when it's 100. Your dog is a mix of two breeds that are designed for cold climates. If the dog is overweight, that also makes it harder for them to cope with heat. Do you have any cooling beds or mats?
Certificied dog trainer, not a groomer, though I work with them and ask a lot of questions. The only reason to ever shave a double coated dog is if they are so incredibly matted that it's literally impossible for a certified, experienced, professional groomer to de-matt and brush them out. Do not shave your dog.
Your sister is an idiot and apparently doesn’t know how to use Google.
brush lots, collect the floof, get it made into socks
Don't shave her. It's not recommended for most dogs and definitely not ones with a double coat. If your mom/sister are concerned about your dog shedding or being hot, try giving her a good bath, then a good brush once she dries. You need a special comb for a double coated dog. I love furminator but you'll have to pick the right one. Also, dogs cool themselves primarily through panting. Make sure she has lots of water (and shade if outdoors.) My dogs like ice cubes in their water. They will also splash and play in a kiddie pool.
Would shaving the dog actually stop the shedding that your mom and sister are trying to stop? ... Nope, the dog will still shed the hairs will just be shorter, and your probably beautiful dog will possibly/probably look really goofy for a few months if it grows back right at all.
If you want, bring her to a groomer and do a bath and de-shed option if they have it. It’s a great way to help manage the shedding and there’s no shaving involved. Just make sure you communicate you want a de-shed with no shaving to be done on your dog.
Another professional groomer here to add to the many, many voices saying that shaving a double coat is a bad idea that can seriously harm your dog.
Do not shave but do start combing and brushed her with the right brushes! I would send her to the groomer for a deshedding session with a professional and a bath. The only time a dog like yours should be shaved in a medical emergency as shaving them some something other then medical reason isn’t healthy for them. I was told by a groomer even long coated dogs you don’t want to ‘shave’ to young or it can mess with their coat in bad ways. My Lhasa Apso didn’t get a full on groom until he was 9+ months old. Until then he was trimmed.
Unless your mom and sister are willing to pay for the emergency vet visit if your dog overheats after being shaved, they need to STFU. Dogs with dual coats need them for reheat regulation. Unless there is a medical issue, there is absolutely no reason to shave a dual coat dog.
Listen to the vet.
I bet they are just pissed of about All the dog hair,, and really care about the dog.
They do love the dog they just don’t understand, my mom has help me with vet bills and she buys her toys and food and calls her “my little precious”
Please do not shave your dog. Double coated dogs are worse in the heat. Their separation between coats allows air flow and helps them stay cool. Solutions: take the dog to a Groomer for a blowout or undercoat brushing. Brush the dog yourself every day. Get a rake and a slicker brush. I use my rake to get the undercoat out, and slicker to get the loose top hairs. I don't brush her as much as I should, but she's goes to a Groomer every 4 weeks. Please don't shave this baby. It does more harm than good, and doesn't grow back right. By grow back right, I'm not talking about how it looks. I mean its not going to help with heat and cool the same way.
No shave. Comb. Then comb again, and when you think it's good enough, stop, eat a snack and comb some more. It's really not an option unless you want to burn sensitive skin that's never really been exposed to the sun and its rays in any significant capacity.
“My baker told me that i needed to add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to my scones, but my plumber told me I should add 6/9 of a teaspoon to my recipe, who should I believe?” Your groomer is wildly more qualified to groom your dog than your mom is. Even so, spend a few minutes on google looking up breed-specific grooming requirements for your pet, because the industry is hardly regulated. FYI huskies, as well as a few other breeds (like mine) have something called a double coat, which is literally designed to help them regulate their body temperature in spite of the actual outdoor temperature, and they shouldn’t be shaved because that fucks up their natural temperature regulation. Don’t. Take. My. Word. For. It. Trust, but verify. And then decide accordingly. Unless your mom is due to participate in Iditarod though, you might want to verify extra hard.
**DO NOT SHAVE A DOG THAT HAS A DOUBLE COAT!** Ever seen someone who never sees sunlight try to tan and get burnt to shit? Yeah, that's what'll happen to your dog's protected skin if they shave her. Their fur is built to insulate them during cold weather and trap cool air close to the skin in warm weather. Shaving a double coated dog ruins their coat, leaves them at risk to burn their skin, and leaves them hotter and at a higher risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Ingrown hairs can lead to irritation, which can lead to an open wound from scratching, which can then lead to infection. Or at this time of year, a higher chance of your dog having a cuterebra larvae embed itself in the skin **and grow inside your dog until it is the size of a nickle.** Do not shave your dog, do not leave your dog with untrustworthy family, and let them know if they shave your dog you're shaving their head. Roughly. And holding them financially responsible for all costs associated with their irresponsible, incorrect idea. Your sister is either uneducated or lying. Either way, she should stfu as she is incredibly wrong. But it isn't her health at risk, so I guess she can afford to be! ETA: This is all info free on Google, provided by my multiple vets, reputable dog groomers, and by the training school I got my Akita from. He's my service dog for epilepsy. Your sister doesn't know as much as people that train dogs to save lives, or the people that save dogs' lives. Your sister can get wrecked.
Your mom and sister are dumb. Ignore them. Get a furmigator.
Your groomer is correct. The double coat provides insulation so helps keep her warm when it’s cold but also helps insulate her from the heat and keep her cool when it’s hot.
You cannot shave a Husky or Husky mix or any other kind of double coated dog. Ever. It will not grow back correctly and they will get heatstroke and sunburn. Your sister and your mom are idiots.
Your groomer is correct with one caveat. It’s not uncommon for mixed breed dogs with different coat types to not have a “correct” double coat. The coat can be “open” or have a variety of defects that keep it from functioning properly. But your groomer should be able to tell whether a coat is correct or not. A correct double coat should not be shaved but if the coat is matting, isn’t laying properly, whatever, your groomer might recommend shaving. Just make sure your groomer knows what a correct double coat looks like.
Please don’t shave. I learned that husky’s are at risk of developing skin cancer and other issues because their coat protects them from the harmful UV rays. Their skin isn’t meant to be exposed to the sun. Your mother and sister are ignorants and idiots and are giving you horrible advice. I grew up with huskies. I worked in the grooming industry. I did a lot of research before adopting my current husky malamute pup. Do your own research too! You’ll see all the different sources proving your family are the ones lying.
The groomer is right. The coat keeps her cool. There are also certain breeds that should never be shaved or cut too close to the skin because the coat will not grow back
The groomer is right, as others have said. Shaving it is only going to make it worse for the dog. The best thing you can do is keep the coat nicely brushed and healthy.
Do not shave a double coated dog. My pup is a husky mix (with others). I got a kiddie pool and trained her to go in it when outside. The dogs love the kiddie pool. But, in heat, the husky mixes just go out for a short minute and want back inside pretty fast.
Your mother and sister are certified grade A idiots. Do not shave that dog
Keep the fur. What's the fun of a husky if there's no floof? Also make sure your family members don't take the dog out to be groomed. It'll ruin the double coat. Get on Husky owners groups and see what people do, but be careful, there are also echo chambers full of misinformation.
We live in a small town so there’s really only one dog groomer and me and have a friends as I always take my dog there
And my mother says my dog is too thin. It’s your job to safeguard your dog from people with no knowledge on dogs. Trust the groomer, and maybe take them for a deshedding bath so their coat can function efficiently to keep your dog cooler. Too much impacted undercoat can definitely help your dog overheat.
Do NOT listen to your mother or your sister. They are woefully ignorant. A blow out of the winter coat is the way to go.
My boss, a vet, just said hell no do not shave the dog. Listen to your vet and your groomer.
My boss, a vet, just said hell no do not shave the dog. Listen to your vet and your groomer.
NEVER shave a husky. The bottom coat regulates their temperature and takes a long time to come back
No, no, no....do NOT shave! Fur protects from the heat, just make sure she's in during the worst of it. Shaving will also destroy her double coat. As far as shedding, if you shave, you will now have tiny little hairs that are nearly impossible to get up. Also, ask your sister why would the groomer lie? If she said sure that'd be a good payday for her.
Definitely don't shave the dog, it will destroy their undercoat. Do a lot of grooming, don't let pup out at the hottest timrs of day, walk in the early hours/late at night if you can and I'd you can't don't walk them at all. Imagine walking barefoot on the ground and see how long you'd last before walking your dog. Keep them hydrated.
Dogs blow their coats in the warm weather, ESPECIALLY ones with double coats. Even my cat has extensive shedding right now, and he's kept inside in the AC. I used to groom and the groomer is right. Shaving a Husky will break it's coat, and there is no guarantee it will grow back properly. No qualified groomer here would ever do that beyond extenuating circumstances. It does not need to be shaved to keep your dog cool. It should have a deep brushing, you can do it outside, it will reduce the shedding and hopefully keep your family off your back (since I'm assuming it's the hair flying around that is causing them to bother you about it).
Please do not shave your beloved companion.
She’s always remain my FURY baby
🩷
Your mother and your sister are idiots living on old urban legends. Double coated dogs don't need to be shaved. They shed twice a year when the seasons change, it has nothing to do with them being too hot, shaving them will ruin their coat and it can take years to grow back in properly. Keep your sister away from your dog and sharp objects.
Please do NOT shave her. Double coated dogs should not be ever shaved because it messes with how they regulate their body temperature. She would get overheated in the summer very quickly. She would be really cold in winter and the coat that would grow after would also get so matted that you would have to keep shaving her. It’s really not worth the health issues it can lead to. Don’t let them convince you otherwise! The coat has its purpose.
If a full coat keeping your dog hot? Well, yeah. Huskies were bred to live in snowy areas, not in 100 degree heat. BUT shaving off their fur isn't going to cool them. They're not people, they don't sweat from all areas of the skin like we do. That's how we keep cool. Best bet is to keep the husky fully brushed out, because impacted fur will hold in heat, whereas brushed out fur will allow air flow. Keep the dog indoors, or give it a cool shaded area outside, when the temperature is high.
Listen to your groomer. She needs thorough regular brushing, but shaving deprives her of the cooling provided by the double coat, and puts her at risk of sunburn.
Don't do it. I cut my newfoundlands hair, Worst thing I ever did to him.....
Brush lots. Brush brush brush. Brush backwards too. But don’t shave
If you shave a double coated dog, it damages their hair. It doesn't grow back the same, often patchy looking. The double coat insulates against heat and cold.
No shaving that double coat!! Yes to a road-trip to the north east for some 65° days
If you shave her she probably would die from the heat. Brush her out, get a gel cooling mat, give her ice cubes, keep her out of the hottest sun during the day. If she over heats use rubbing alcohol on her paw pads.
Finally got a de-shedding conditioner and it's AMAZING! on her post bath run instead of the usual fine mist of fluff everywhere it was coming out in clumps. And that first brush was incredible. I put a rubbermaid tub inside my bathtub to wash her in and drained it in the back yard and the pile of fluff was impressive. Highly recommend.
You definitely shouldn't shave a double coated dog. [I learned from watching her grooming dogs](https://m.youtube.com/@GirlWithTheDogs)
Both my chow and husky would sleep on the sand pile in the sun in hot weather. They wouldn't stay long, but they still enjoyed it. That long outer fur is like an umbrella shading their skin. Remove it and they'll burn. Insulation keeps cool as well as warm.
your sister and mom, while they mean well, should shut tf up. the double coat helps them warm up or cool down as needed based on the climate they're in.
I’ve seen mothers/sisters take people’s dogs and get them shaved anyways without the owner’s consent!! Please be careful! 😭 tell them, thank you for your concern but I’ve talked to professionals and we’re good for now.
Don't save your dog. Do brush them daily to help with shedding. I use a horse shedder on my dog be gentle, lots of treats, but don't shave its bad for double coated dogs.
Why would the groomer lie to you that your dog is fine lol? If a groomer was going to lie i'd assume it to be so that they can make *more* money and they'd tell you the opposite to get you to come back... why would your sister think the groomer has any reason to lie to you about this i'm just confused? The groomer is correct btw. Shaving could permanently damage her double coat and she may not be able to grow it back properly. Please do not shave the dog lol
So your sister thinks she knows more about your particular dog's fur then both its owner and the groomers that actually went to school for this? Obviously she's wrong! It can take 2 years or more for a double coat to grow back in correctly and in the meantime your dog is going to be very uncomfortable because that coat helps them to stay cool in the heat! Seriously ask her where she was trained that she knows so much more about your dog's furt than the vet?
DO NOT SHAVE YOUR DOG! I work in the vet field and I swear, the amount of dogs that DIE from heatstroke every year because the owner decides they are smarter than us, and shaves a double coated dog is sad. Your groomer is 100% correct and tell your sister if she shaves your dog without your consent, she is now signing up for ALL of his skin care products, all grooming appointments(because you will have to keep up the cut.) And vet bills. Tell your sister she will RUIN your dog, both mentally and physically. I've slapped people for trying to convince me to shave my huskies. If she doesn't like the dog hair she can MOVE OUT. That's all I can say before I get heated.
If she is shedding an insane amount, take her to a groomer. They will be able to blow out that undercoat that is coming loose. Huskies (and all double coated breeds) should only ever be shaved if they are completely compacted beyond saving. That is INCREDIBLY rare though, and the vast majority of dogs will blow that undercoat right out with a high velocity dryer. Your dog likely just needs twice a year grooming, and you can keep up with brushing (I would suggest getting a GOOD slicker like the Chris Christensen coral slicker) the rest of the year.
DO NOT SHAVE A DUAL COAT DOG IN THE HEAT! they could die of heat stroke. Their undercoat insulates them, actually helps them keep cool if theh can be in the shade. Out of courtesy for your dog maybe choose to walk early morning and in the evening when its a bit cooler but do not shave them. Your grommer is right. Ive heard too many stories about folks shaving their dual or shaggy coat dog for summer and they either passed away or had a terrible experience from heat stroke. Careful!!!
Do not, i repeat do not do it
Don't leave your dog alone with them anymore...
Deshed. Do not shave. You can purchase a de-shed brush (do this outside the amount of fur is unreal)
Never shave a double coated dog. Is you sister a vet? Tell her to kick rocks.
Don’t shave her. Brush out all the under coat. If you shave her she will not be able to keep moisture away from her skin and the thickness of the short fur will make her skin start getting moldy and rotting. This happened to my malamute.
I know someone who shaved their double coated dog and it got an infection and died😭
As others have said your dog is double coated and should not be shaved. I’m a dog groomer and I would personally deny this service to anyone who would ask. Shaving the outer hair of the coat can cause it to be hotter because the guard hairs help reflect light from the dog and helps to keep it cooler. And in the winter it helps insulate it to keep it warm. Shaving can cause your dog to get sunburnt too. Not only will it look horrible and have the opposite effect but it can possibly not grow back, grow back patchy, grow back a different color and/or texture…… it’s very likely the coat will never be the same. Unless there is a medical reason never shave a double coated dog!
NEVER shave a double coat, unless it’s an emergency.
Why would your groomer lie about something that would make them more money
We have an Elkhound and were told NO for the love of God don't shave that dog. So we don't. I didn't go to the gazillion years of school our vets did. SO we listen to the vets. We do get him cooled off in the creek although I'm not convinced *any* water gets through all that hair. But he has fun chasing minnows so there's a win in there somewhere.
Your lab/husky mix has a double coat to protect against severe heat and cold. Never shave the undercoat. Daily, yes daily brushing will thin it out and keep his skin healthy.
Never shave a double coat! Have her groomed with the deshedding blow out it helps so much and makes.them.feel so much better
I’m in Canada with temps just around 70 and my dog blows her coat right now. I think I know exactly why your sister and mother want you to shave your dog. They don’t like all the hair everywhere. Please don’t shave your dog.
I have two double coated dogs, one blows his coat while the other loses hers more gradually. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of shaving them… I feel like that would just make the coat more dense and unable to pass air through. My golden husky does get the snip snip though because her grinch feet and mukluks (leg hair) get ridiculous, she also cannot stay out of bur bushes so her tail also gets the snip snip, along with her mud flaps (butt fur.)
Do not shave her, she will be hotter and quite possibly die of heat stroke. Brush her daily outside to help with the shedding, you should be able to knit an entire chihuahua with her fur daily. During no shedding months a weekly brushing will keep it under control.
I like that description of how much fur you can brush out lol
Do not shave her. Do this. Next time you have your dog out in the sun for a bit feel of her skin from under her coat, it’s cooler than her hair on top right? That’s because her coat is trapping the cold in to itself to keep her from overheating. If you shaved her she’d loose that and just be hot like her top coat is. That’s when she’d over heat. Let you mom and sister feel the difference too, maybe it’ll make it click in their heads. This time of year they’ll shed like crazy, you can buy one of those rake type deshedders to use outside or if she’ll tolerate it I’ve had luck with the vacuum brush attachments that suck the hair off them.
Don't shave your dog. Their coat acts as a way to keep heat in and out as it's an insulator. Buy a cooling mat for like 20 pounds on Amazon.
Do you live with them? Do they pay the bills? Listen to the vet and the groomer. Like someone else said, learn how to care for the double coat
My mom’s a professional certified master dog groomer who grooms show dogs, pet dogs, and competes in grooming competitions. She won’t shave a double coated dog for any reason. The dog just needs to have its undercoat raked a couple times a week, be brushed out daily, and have a proper bath and blow out with a high velocity dryer every 4-6 weeks. Their coats are how they thermoregulate. Removing the coat removes their ability to do so. Shaving it has a high likeliness of permanently damaging the coat as well so it would never come back correctly.
In general, you should not shave a husky mix or other double-coated dog unless it's absolutely necessary. Shaving can make it harder for a dog to regulate its body temperature, protect its skin, and shield it from UV rays. It can also expose the dog to sunburn and long-term hair loss. When the two coats grow back after shaving, they may not blend properly, which can affect the dog's protection and appearance. You can also brush your husky's coat regularly, at least once a week, to help maintain it. Use a wide-toothed comb to remove mats, then a paddle brush to smooth and loosen any stray hairs. I found this with a quick Google search.
Never shave a double-coated dog unless it's due to severe matting.
We have had Malamutes. Never shaved them.
It’s not okay to shave a dog with a double coat like a husky. It is extremely harmful and actually makes it so they can’t regulate their temperature. Shedding is normal
Malmute owner please don't shave your dog. It will mess up their coats so they won't be able to regulate their body temp properly.
I remember when my mom shaved our chows one summer....those poor, overheated little bobble heads.....they were miserable. And when their fur "grew back," my god they looked so dumb. And it was so coarse and gross to the touch, and OILY
My daughter used to take her GSD out in the yard with a good brush a couple of times a week starting in early spring and got bag full. And her dog was on the small side her breed.
As others say - DON’T shave a double coat. I came on to add, having had several double coated dogs similar to huskies, that it is TOTALLY worth getting the exact right grooming tools (rakes, deshedders, etc) that are specific to your dog breed’s coat. It makes such a difference in being able to effectively get the undercoat out. And prevents damaging the fur. I had a bunch of amazing tools for grooming akitas and huskies, designed for their thick coarse undercoats. When I got a Swiss shepherd, also with a double coat, the rakes and combs I had just did not do the job, so I gave away / sold them and got different rakes and combs that are more suited for the Shepherd coat. I got advice from Shepherd owners on which ones to get. I have seen people using the wrong grooming tools on different dog breeds and it just makes it really hard work and can cause discomfort to the dog. It’s worth speaking to groomers and perhaps people who show and breed huskies and invest in GOOD quality tools, not cheap ones that goes blunt or bend or wear out easily, which can also ruin the coat.
Whatever you do, do NOT leave your dog with EITHER of them. This level of "no, you're wrong, I'm right, and nothing you say will change my mind", comes with a level of entitlement and they will more than likely shave the dog because " they were doing what's best"
Don't shave your dog. Dogs shouldn't be shaved at all. Sure, groom to remove loose hairs and undercoat, but do not shave. It will do them more harm than good.
I have a Pomeranian and will cut about half his fur length off in the summer. Right now his undercoat is about 3/4 inch long. He likes it because he gets "scritch scratches" when his fur is shorter. I have also had a groomer shave him. There have been no issues either way in his 15 years of life. My mom has a husky. They shed like crazy and you need to groom all that itchy loose fur off daily. However, I have never heard of one being shaven.
The coat has cooling and warming features. I have a malamute but they are very similar. Shaving is a bad idea, but something does need to be done for them in that heat. They aren't built for it. Paying attention to the animal is always going to be a better solution then "grooming" though.
Would make heat worse :*( double coat helps them regulate. Just need good brushes
I had a long haired Chihuahua and I shaved him completely, and then went on a trip to Arizona thinking it would keep him cool. He almost died from heat stroke. The double coat is there for a reason. Listen to the groomer and not people who don’t know what they’re talking about.
Trust a professional groomer before your uninformed sister and mother. Well-intentioned they may be and they don't know what they are talking about.
I'm sorry to inform you, but in this instance, your sister is an idiot. The only way she is going to believe it is if you lead that horse to water, then shove her head in it. Tell her to research double coated digs and see if it's recommended to shave in hot weather. The truth is sometimes hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes! In addition to keeping the dog cool, it also provides sunblock for their skin, which can and does burn horribly, especially by the breeds whose skin is normally exposed. I do feel your pain at unsolicited advice regarding dogs. I have 2 double-coat dogs; a blue Merle sheltie and a tri-color border collie (majority black). My lab/pit is a smooth single coat. Yesterday, it was 95° with high humidity, and the sheltie and collie were sprawled in direct sun, living their best lives! My poor lab/pit went out, did her business, ate her food, got in her pool and then found shade. She was out for 15 minutes and was panting like crazy. I let her back in, and she immediately laid down on the tile floor, over the floor register that was spewing 68° air, and didn't move til she needed to go out again.
The vet & groomer correct. I work for a groomer .. you NEVER shave a double coated dog Needs good blow out, bath etc..
No don’t ever shave it!
Tell them to shave their dogs and see how they like it.
Ah no. Don't shave your dog. Your mom and sister are wrong.
I have two pug puppies, which is a double coated breed. Absolutely, I would not recommend shaving your dog. He/she could get like a sanitary trim (around the paw pads, around the butt, that kind of stuff) but I definitely wouldn’t shave them. Surprisingly, my boys actually do not shed bad at all. But when I give them baths, I use a deshedding tool just to keep their fur nice and tidy. The one I use is called a furminator, and it’s pretty common. Mine was about $60 but I’ve seen some around $35. Try it out! EDIT : I should have probably mentioned like some of the others said, it’s perfectly fine to do a deshedding treatment at the groomer also. It’s probably a better option truthfully. My boys also have that done occasionally just to get the “full package” lol. But I still love to use the tool on them a few times a week. And they love it also which is a plus because it calms them
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Your sister and mother are dumb. Huskies and dogs with similar coats shouldn’t be shaved, it provides insulation to them.
The groomer is right.DO NOT SHAVE. It will permanently damage the dogs coat therefore its ability to thermoregulate. Your mum and sister don’t know what they’re talking about. You could always direct them to the “Girl who grooms dogs” YT channel where she grooms multiple husky or malamute mixes and goes into great detail about their coats. Your dogs coat will never recover if shaved
Your sister sounds like a know-it-all who doesn't know it all. Let her shave her own pets and leave yours alone. Shedding is a seasonal thing in pets and has nothing to do with being overheated. Would she shave a long-haired cat? They shed like they're trying to go bald, but--voila, they don't go bald, they just grow replacement hair. Same with huskies and labs, their fur has evolved to serve them, not stifle them. BTW, I'm picturing a shaved husky, and that can't look good.
I’d trust the groomer over your family who know nothing about dogs
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^phyncke: *I’d trust the groomer* *Over your family who* *Know nothing about dogs* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Do not shave your husky!!!! I highly recommend the whole shebang with your groomer. I take my husky shepherd to the groomer (we call “going to the spa”) twice a year. In between the groomer sessions (which truly are incredible when you find someone who cares and has the tools and experience) remove the undercoat yourself and also detangle the coat in general, just for general maintenance I mean, use a flat slicker style metal brush if you can Again, do not shave your husky unless you need to for a medical procedure or something. A husky’s overcoat protects their skin from the sun. Among a variety of other important reasons. If you must, you must, but for the purposes you state, shaving your husky’s coat will not accomplish what you want. It will decrease their ability to handle the hot conditions you live in. Taking out their undercoat in a gentle yet thorough way will however help your husky, and this is done through a combination of brushing and washing and also if you have them then pressurized air and other such tools
No because it won’t be the same when it grows back !
Double coats are insulation, same as with a house. Keeps them warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
My friend is always telling me to shave my GSD when it's hot out, no many how many times I've explained the double coat.
Why would a groomer lie about it? That’s a potential client they could make good money on. If anything a dishonest groomer would just shave any dog down to make some money.
Don't listen to your mom and sister. And don't let them around your dog alone, or they'll like give your doggo a buzz cut. Just keep brushing. And brushing. And brushing. And tell them to mind their own business.
A good groomer should have de shedding shampoo and a blow dryer that takes the fur off. Don’t shave them, the coat will never grow right again most likely.
If you shave a double coat dog then put him out in the sun, he WILL sunburn! Your sister is opinionated, not educated in this matter. Give him a plastic kiddie pool and brush him regularly.
If she thinks the groomer is lying she could always google it herself 🤷🏻♀️
Groomers and vet are not lying about the coat, keeping them cool . It also keeps them from getting severely sunburned . Could you imagine what it would feel like to grow all your thick fur back through sunburn? Dogs do not shed just because they're hot. Your mom and sister can literally google this. Also, shaving that type of coat will change the coat. It won't grow back the same . The coat will look bad and will be a mess, and it takes a long time ,like years, to get back to normal. Source : groomer for over a decade .
Tell them to Google “should I shave my husky when the temps are high?” The whole list says you shouldn’t even the ASPCA says the double coat insulates against cold & hit temps.
Your mom and sister don’t know what they’re talking about.
Hi Vet Assistant here. Absolutely 100% DO NOT SHAVE THAT DOG!!!!! Its undercoat is doing exactly what the groomer said. Helping to cool it down. In the winter it keeps the dog warm. If you shave that dog there’s a god chance the undercoat will NOT grow back properly or grow back at all causing severe temperature regulation issues for your dog in the future. Do not, I repeat do not listen to your uneducated sister or your mother on this subject. Listen to the experts who have gone to college and learned about this. For example: your vet, your groomer, ME! Tell your family it’s your dog and to back the hell off and for the love of that animal do NOT leave it alone with them for ANY reason at all or they will just shave it for you.
Your sister and your mother are idiots. Please listen to your vet and the groomer. If you shave your dog you're going to make her hotter. I know it's counterintuitive but those are quite capable of these women cells cool even with a lot of fur. You will need to brush her and comb her everyday while she shedding.
Your sister has no idea what she’s talking about. Sounds like your husky is blowing his coat right now. You will need to do lots and lots of brushing. Their double coat helps them stay warm in winter and cool in the summer. Shaving him would hinder this ability and as already mentioned his coat may not grow back correctly. I groom my own dogs and I’m subbed to some the dog grooming subreddits and this has come up a lot of times and the professional groomers have said the same.
Is this an actual post? The vet said it’s normal to shed. The groomer told you not to shave them. Why would you believe your sister?
Your sister and mother are wrong. What makes them think they know better?
I recommend a velocity dryer. They can be pricey, but they use force to blow out the loose fur. Use it before a bath to get out excess hair, and then after the bath to dry, and blow out even more excess hair. It helps, A LOT. If you have the means, a groomer could do a de-shed and use their dryer to get out the excess coat.
Your sister is, to put it kindly, a moron. I have 2 huskies, they shed like crazy but I wouldn't dream of shaving them for anything other than medical reasons. Their coat is their insulation, it keeps them warm in winter & cool in summer, it also protects their skin from the sun. If you shave a double coat you'll either have to spend hundreds on more frequent grooming, the right nutrition to ensure the coat grows back correctly (the guard hairs take ages, my girl had her belly and sides shaved last July for surgery and her guard hairs are still growing back in) and doggie clothes to protect from the sun or you'll have to live with a dog that has horrible coarse fur, is constantly losing chunks of fur and is uncomfortable because the coats have been screwed up. It's not worth it.
Do NOT shave her. Sister and Mom are full of sh*t. Listen to the experts.
Tell your mom and sister to properly educate themselves. I’ve got an Akita who also has a double coat and I would never ever think about shaving him. It’ll mess up the fur
The professionals who know their actual business have told you what your dog needs When your sister and mother graduate from veterinary college, they can discuss this with you again. Until then, trust the professionals ALSO FYI, double coated dogs often have challenges with getting wet (the water winds up being held in their undercoat and not evaporating, and so become counterproductive.) important to look up and find out if you plan to take your pup swimming.
Your sister needs to educate herself on dogs and common sense. She probably even thinks what experts say is FOS.
Hard no. She’ll be more hot and look stupid, might even get a sunburn. The hair will grow back more course or just not the way it was before. Absolutely do not shave the dog.
Explain the concept of insulation to your sister. She lives in an insulated house, and that insulation keeps the inside temperature much more consistent than the outside temperature - cool in summer, warm in winter. The insulation does its job whether it's 20 degrees or 102, within reason. In the same way as it'd be really dumb to take all the insulation out of your attic and walls, it would be dumb to shave your double coated dog. It's why sled dogs or wolves actually sleep *under* snow often. It's actually another insulation layer against cooler air temps.
Your groomer & vet are correct. Shaving double coated dogs actually messes with their natural cooling. The coat will also never grow back properly, so you’ll need to shave her constantly forever.
Do not shave a double coated dog. Get your groomer to blow their coat to help get rid of all the loose fur. Give them a paddle pool to play in as well
Never shave a double coated dog. The groomer is 100% correct. Very rarely is there a reason to do so and it's usually medical, so your vet would be the one telling you to do so.