To shave or not to shave?

The warm weather is here in my area now and I'm staring to see dogs on the street that have been shaved down a bit for the summer. It tends to get really hot here, so I understand it, especially for dogs with really heavy coats, but I've never personally had a dog shaved.

Do you get your dogs shaved at all? What breed?

 

No, we have not shaved our dogs since the hot weather here is not as hot in the states. And our dogs usually have shorter fur/hair. Common breeds we have are local breeds and mixed breeds.

 

I haven't shaved any of my dogs yet but I have given some of them Lion Cuts when their hair is too long and the weather is too hot.

 

That makes sense, Victor. I imagine it's a lot easier on them than having them shaved, too. When the hair starts to grow back in, it can be quite irritating and itchy, so I always feel bad for the dogs who get shaved.

 

I just ran across this guide, too:

http://blissfullydomestic.com/family-bliss/pets-family-bliss/dog-groomer-tips-getting-your-dogs-hair-cut-for-summer/122921

If you -do- shave your dog or are just looking to trim him down a bit for the summer, it looks like a lot of good tips.

 

I would love to get a summer cut for my German shepherd because the shedding is insane, but I think my husband would kill me, LOL. Instead I just groom him often - it helps to use a tool that works on the undercoat, like a Furminator.