You should not shave your Australian Shepherd to keep them cool or to help prevent shedding. Instead, explore some alternative solutions that will be less negative-impacting on your Australian Shepherd. Shaving your Australian Shepherd can cause problems to your furry friend's coat, skin, and more.
The quick answer is, no, you shouldn't shave your dog in summer. And this doesn't just apply to super-furry Northern breeds, but to other double-coated breeds as well. Herding breeds like Aussie Shepherds, Border Collies and Shelties are double-coated.
Hold those clippers!
Our pets' coats have several layers that are essential to their comfort in the heat. Robbing your dog or cat of this natural cooling system can lead to discomfort, overheating and other serious dangers like sunburn or skin cancer.
Though it may seem like a no-brainer to shave your dog or cat when summer comes, does it really keep pets cooler? Generally, most experts recommend against shaving most pets, though there are exceptions. Veterinarians often advise against shaving cats and dogs for a simple reason: Your pet's hair isn't like yours.
We understand its hot in the summer months and it seems like their hair doesn't want to stay on them any way with all the shedding, but, as with most things Aussie, their coat is quite smart too! Their coat is equipped naturally to help them regulate their body temperature in both cold and warm temperatures.
To cool your dog down as quickly as possible, pour cool water over their head and body, gently hose a very gentle stream of cool water over them, or, where possible, submerge them in a tub of cool water.
Dogs such as golden retrievers, German shepherds, Siberian huskies and any dog that seasonally sheds huge clumps of fur (part of its undercoat) should never be shaved. It is a misconception that shaving will help keep a dog cool on hot days.
Shaving it away removes that protective layer, resulting in insufficient protection from temperature, parasites, sun damage, and wind. Shaving also damages the coat because it doesn't regrow in the same fashion. To protect the skin, the undercoat grows back quickly but the guard hairs don't.
A summer haircut may help you feel more comfortable during hot, humid summer weather, but it won't have the same effect on your pet. In fact, cutting or shaving your pet's fur can actually compromise your furry friend's ability to remain cool.
Australian Shepherds are relatively easy to care for when it comes to grooming. They only need to be brushed once or twice a week, and they only need to be bathed every few months. Australian Shepherd's also shed moderately, so they may not be the best dog breed for those with allergies.
It can make your dog feel uncomfortable. While some people don't believe that pets have feelings, we happen to believe they do. We've seen some mighty uncomfortable dogs who were shaved too closely. The result was behavior issues, increased "negative" behavior, and what we think is a depressed dog.
Dogs are happier after grooming due to the many health benefits and overall cleanliness that it provides. Grooming also provides an opportunity to be social with other dogs and groomers. Although some dogs may feel down after grooming, this quickly goes away and they truly appreciate the benefits of grooming.
When an Australian Shepherd is shaved, its natural oils and protection against mother nature are removed. This may include new problems for your Aussie such as skin irritation, getting sunburnt, and similar. Secondly, shaving their fur tends to yield a more negative impact on the fur's overall health once grown back.
This thick wooly coarse coat will trap heat and will not protect from the sun, thus exposing your pet to warmer climates and making them warmer and increasing their body temperature in the heat. Shaving can damage a dog's ability to regulate its temperature or protect their skin.
Shaving your Australian shepherd's coat could expose its skin and increase its risk for getting a sunburn. Always leave about 1⁄4–1⁄2 inch (0.64–1.27 cm) of your dog's coat when you're trimming it to protect its skin.
If your dog is prone to hot spots, or bacterial skin infections, a summer shave can be helpful. Anecdotally, dogs that have been shaved appear to have more energy and be more comfortable being active. Many people who shave their dogs find that their dogs are happier, and they do it again each year.
The two layers of fur grow at different rates. Shaving can cause permanent damage to the coat, causing it to be unbalanced and unable to provide adequate insulation and protection. As a result, the coat may grow back in uneven patches, have a ragged or unkept texture or may never grow back at all (shave shock).
Your groomer probably shaves your pet because much of its coat is matted, which you may not see or feel. Large-scale dematting is time-consuming, which is difficult for your dog when its has to stand and stay while its hair is being pulled on.
Shaving a double coat can have some irreversible consequences. The coat is made up of a downy undercoat and a more coarse guard coat. When shaved the undercoat grows faster than the top coat creating a very unappealing look. The guard coat or topcoat can also change texture once shaved.
But clipping short ANY double coated breed, even once, can and often does cause serious permanent, irreversible damage to a dog's beautiful natural coat. Further, using clippers to take off a smooth coat, flat coat or wire coat is also not recommended as it can cause other kinds of problems.
Most shaved dogs will have their hair grow back fully between 6 weeks and four months. However, it does depend on many factors, such as the length of your dog's coat and the type of coat. Double-coated dogs may have their coat irreparably damaged by shaving or close clipping.
Australian Shepherds Coat Characteristics
Australian Shepherd shedding is year-round, too, though you'll notice a surplus of shedding during spring and fall. That said, these shaggy coats have two layers: The undercoat and the overcoat.
In some circles, the puppy cut can also be known as a teddy bear trim, summer cut, or kennel cut. I've even seen some salons turn their version of the trim into their “signature haircut.” Generally, the only things that change between theses trims are the names and the length of coat.