Shaving Wont Protect Them Against The Sun
The German Shepherds undercoat is short and crimped. This makes it perfect for trapping air and in insulating them.
On the other hand
The longer topcoat helps by protecting them from the heat. So even if theyre blowing their coat, the topcoat is there to shield the skin from the sun.
But you mess this up when you shave your German Shepherd.
The shaved guard hairs are useless. And the shaved undercoat is short enough to allow the suns rays to get through.
Caution: Many double-coated dogs have pale pink skin. That and sun exposure make them vulnerable to sunburn and overheating.
Your German Shepherd Is Susceptible To Hotspots
Without their coats, your German Shepherd will be exposed to bugs. Especially blackflies.
Just one bite and your German Shepherd will scratch until kingdom come. Without the coats, the dogs toenails scratch against their skin.
It leads to wounds or hotspots.
And the more they scratch, the more they become susceptible to alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is patchy hair loss.
Provide An Elevated Bed
Elevated beds provide extra cooling as they dont absorb any heat from the ground. This allows air to flow over your dog, decreasing their body temperature.
These beds are generally inexpensive and come equipped with skid-resistant feet to prevent the bed from sliding across the ground. This is ideal for homes and outdoor areas with super-smooth floor surfaces.
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Tips For Bringing Your German Shepherd Out On A Hot Day
Hopefully, by now you realize that the sun can be dangerous and you will have to keep a close eye on your German Shepherd if you want him to be safe. But just because it can be dangerous doesnt mean you cant enjoy a little fun in the sun.
Lets go over some tips of how to safely enjoy the heat with your GSD:
- Use Sunscreen. Thats right! There is dog safe sunscreen and it can be extremely useful on a hot day. Apply it to your German Shepherds nose and under his eyes to make sure he doesnt get burned from the sun. Epi-pet is a great brand that comes in a bottle that you can spray for easy application.
- Always provide shade. Whether its a walk in the park or a day at the beach, there should always be a generous amount of shade nearby. Consider taking an umbrella to the beach so your pooch has a place to rest when it gets too hot.
- Have plenty of cold water. Nothing keeps a dog happier than a gulp of cool refreshing water. Help you dog out and make sure you have plenty of water on hand. Make sure you are keeping hydrated!
Video Answer: Vlog: Shaving My White German Shepherd’s Hair
Why do groomers shave dogs? Asked By: Missouri Bashirian. Date created: Wed, Jan 13, 2021 2:25 PM. Best answers. Too many inexperienced groomers across the nation have been ill-training loving pet owners to believe that what grooming generally means is to shave down the dog. A dog’s coat provides insulation both from hot and cold.
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Is It Cruel To Shave A Dog
But in fact, shaving a double-coated dog is the worst thing to do. Shaving prevents cool air from getting to the skin because the undercoat is still present. And a shaved coat doesnt protect against the sun either, which exposes your dog to greater risks of overheating, sunburn and even skin cancer.
Dog Language: Warning Signals
A German Shepherd doesnt only bite when it feels confident. In fact, most of the biting incidents are a result of fear aggression: the dog feels threatened, is afraid of something and to ward off the danger, it attacks or bites. It is rare for a dog to bite without warning beforehand.
If you see a German Shepherd exhibiting any of the following behaviors, it is important to be alert. Theyre not feeling pleased at all and is trying to tell you: Stop that, otherwise I might bite.
- The dog stiffens its body and stares at you.
- It starts to growl, snarl, or bark
- Wrinkle its nose, lift its lip and bares its teeth
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Is It Bad To Shave A Double Coated Dog
Shaving a double-coated breed can really ruin the coat. If you do shave your double coated dog, the new hair will grow back but the undercoat will grow first. The texture of the soft undercoat will absorb the suns rays, making your dog hotter in summer. Shaving a double coated dog does not reduce shedding.
You Can Manage Shedding And Coat Blow Without The Need For Shaving
The good news is, you can do things to manage shedding and coat blow.
Its a huge help having the right tools for de-shedding. Your starter de-shedding kit should include an undercoat rake and a double-sided brush.
You can also buy a high-velocity dryer. This is a good investment if you plan to groom your dog yourself.
These tools are necessary to remove the undercoat before it ends up as fur balls all over your house.
Start with a good brushing. Do this 15 minutes a day or longer, depending on your dogs needs.
This pooch is having a relaxing time while being brushed:
Youll find out that regular brushing helps reduce shedding. Get to the loose hair before it forms into mats.
Further, doing this helps make your German Shepherd feel better. It will keep them looking their best while going through a coat blow.
Its also a terrific way to bond with your pooch.
Another way to manage is by bathing them. It helps to remove the loose undercoat. This will speed up the process of blowing the coat.
Note: Use the right shampoo that wont irritate their skin.
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Other Body Language Of The German Shepherd
Sometimes people say: Its wagging its tail so its happy!. But unfortunately not every dog that moves its tail up and down is being happy at that moment. Sometimes dogs also wag their tail while they are scared or angry. You can use the dogs posture as a guide to estimate its mood. Look not only at the tail and the ears, but also at the entire body of the dog.
Can I Shave My German Shepherd Mix
Its not! Shaving works great for a single coated dog. Their coat will grow back just like human hair does. For your double coated GSD shaving them will ruin their coat form many years to come.
Can You shave a German Shepard? No, you should not shave a German Shepherd unless it is for a health or medical reason, such as shaving a hot spot to treat it. Except for humid climates, their undercoat keeps them cool and shedding is best managed by brushing. Most people asking if they can shave their German Shepherd are worried about their dog
Is it bad to shave a German Shepherd? The truth is shaving a German Shepherd can be detrimental to their health and overall comfort. Double-coated breeds use their coat to regulate their body temperature as it keeps them warm in the winter, but also cool in the summer. It also protects your dogs skin from moisture, abrasions, and harmful UV rays.
What is a German Shepherd retriever mix? German Shepherd Retriever mixes can make energetic and friendly companions. The beautiful dog above is a German Shepherd Lab mix also known as a Sheprador or Labrashepherd. Another dog with a thick double coat, the Sheprador is a 50lb plus shedding breed that will put your vacuum cleaner to the test. 3. German Shepherd Pitbull mix
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Shaved Hair Is Actually Harder To Get Rid Of
The guard hair, or outer layer of more coarse fur, is what sheds and some owners find a nuisance. However, shaving your dog doesnt stop the shedding!
Instead, your GSD will still shed, but the hairs are shorter and blunter. This makes them stick into your clothes and furniture even more than their regular, unshaved hair! Youll actually have a harder time removing the shorter, blunt, shaved hair than you would their longer, unshaved coat.
Video Answer: How To Brush And Deshed A German Shepherd
Long-haired Chihuahuas overgrow fur around their legs and paws, and so groomers and dog owners trim those areas accordingly. They often use a small clipper or shaver around the toes, as well as the hair between the pads underneath the paws. Then, they trim the tail to keep it well-kept and tidy.
Why does the groomer want to shave my shaggy dog?
- Let’s go! 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.
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Are There Any Exceptions To Shaving A Husky
With that said, there are exceptions to this unspoken rule of shaving. Huskies can be shaved or clipped during medical emergencies, provided that a professional veterinarian advised this. They would usually only shave off one part of the body and provide advice to care for it after the vet visit.
Another exception to shaving is if your Husky has become extremely matted from neglect and there arent any alternatives to combing it out. But if your groomer tries to convince you to shave their fur all off without valid reason, remember to say no. Remember, Huskies CAN live in hot weather with their fur!
The Truth About Single And Double Coated
German Shepherds are typically a Double Coated breed, meaning they have two layers of fur:
A top layer called the Guard coat that is slightly more wiry and abrasive.
Underneath youll find a softer and light colored under-layer called the Undercoat.
Combined these layers are used to regulate body temperature, protect from harmful UV rays, repel water, and protect their skin.
What About Single Coats?
Although its quiet rare some German Shepherds are considered Single-Coated.
In the dog show ring we refer to them as Smoothies, or Smooth-Coated Shepherds.
Technically, they still have both layers, but the undercoat is so sparse theyre considered as single coated.
Note: Single coated German Shepherds are considered a breed fault, and not recognized by the AKC. Therefore, many years of selective breeding have made single coated litters a rare occurrence.
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How To Cool Our Dogs & Reduce Their Fur ~ Naturally
Cooling Without Shaving ~ Reducing Without Trimming
I Made The Mistake Of Shaving My Dog
I made the mistake of shaving my dog Carter when I was younger. He was an Aussie mix that had a thick black double coat that was beautiful and shiny. I thought I could help keep him cool by getting rid of all that extra thick fur in the summer.
Makes sense right? Would you want to carry around a thick coat like that in the summer? So I went to my local groomer and had him shaved no questions asked.
He was three when I had him shaved. When he passed away 10 years later his top coat still hadnt returned. He was left with a thick, unruly coat that became hard to manage. The hair on his back thighs, stomach, and chest were constantly matted after that shave. Turns out an undercoat left uninhibited isnt easy to manage at all.
And to my disappointment it didnt help him cool off in the summer at all, it actually made it worse. He began taking a lot more breaks during our walks and he started panting heavier than usual. Looking at him I knew I had made a huge mistake I had made the summer more intolerable for him.
So please, take it from me think twice before shaving your double coated dog. Heres 5 reasons why double coated dogs should not be shaved.
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Should I Shave My German Shepherd
No, you shouldnt shave or clip your German Shepherd routinely for grooming or because you think theyre too hot. The coat takes too long to grow back, may grow back shorter, may grow in a lighter color, puts them at risk for bites and parasites, and provides a necessary and natural heating and cooling system in the elements which you alter when you shave them.
You should only shave for medical reasons as per your vet.
Body Language Signs From Your German Shepherd
Without any way of communicating with you verbally , your German Shepherd has to use body language to get his point across. You will get to know all of the body language that your GSD displays but its also important to understand how unfamiliar dogs communicate.
Lets example fifteen different ways that dogs might try to tell you something:
- Looking away from you is a common sign of submissiveness. When trying to read your German Shepherds body language and he doesnt look at you directly in the eyes for too long, hes letting you know that youre the one in charge. Its not a sign of fear as much as a sign of respect and acknowledging the hierarchy between you.
- Intense focus and staring at one object, person, or another animal is a potential sign of aggression. While it sometimes means that your German Shepherd is confused about whats happening, its often an indicator that he is going to bark or, even worse, bite. Check to see if his hair is standing up or not. If it is, move away slowly. For more detail on this, here are some reasons why your German Shepherds hackles stand up.
- Yawning can mean a few different things as well. It could simply mean that your GSD is tired and in need of some rest, but it could also indicate that theyre stressed. Yawning is often a sign of submissiveness or worry that something will harm them. If your dog keeps yawning, try to figure out whats causing the stress.
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Self Clean Slicker Pin And Bristle Brush Comb
See the Self Clean Slicker Pin & Bristle Brush on Amazon.
This brush is designed to work like any other double-sided brush. It’s got soft yet firm nylon bristles. And the rounded pins are designed to penetrate deep into your dogs coat.
It’s got a soft silicone handle which makes it pretty comfortable. Even if you’re working with it for an extended period of time.
And the entire brush is made from eco-friendly materials which are great if your eco-conscious.
Like the other brushes it works well for all coat types and it’s safe to use every day. The rounded pins protect your dogs skin from scratches.
And because the bristles and pins are one you won’t run the risk of grating your dog’s skin.
From my research, there has not been one complaint about poor performance from other dog owners. But take into consideration that it’s a fairly new product on the market.
There are only 2 features that set double-sided brushes apart. Firstly, how well is the brush made?
Is it going to last or is it going to snap at the handle? And how strong is the pin pad? Is it going to start cracking after a few uses?
And secondly, how comfortable is it for you to hold and work with? A comfortable handle is super important.
I mean, what’s the point of home-grooming your pooch if you’re not enjoying it?
In my opinion, all the brushes I’ve reviewed are on par when it comes to how well they are made. I haven’t come across complaints about these brushes breaking or falling apart.
Shaved Hair Is Harder To Get Rid Of
The outer layer of fur, or the guard hairs are much more coarse and shed a lot. Thats why most people think shaving will get rid of the shedding worries. Yet thats not true.
Your shepherd will still shed, though this time the fur will be thinner. This is even worse, since its small thinner hairs will stick easier to things. This will make it even more stressful than normal unshaven hair.
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