Fur Cut: Does My Dog Need One? | Grooming

Does My Dog Need a Fur Cut?

Grooming your pet is a big part of making sure they are happy and healthy. Especially when it gets hot, many dog owners consider cutting down their dog’s fur to make sure the pup doesn’t get too warm. However, not all dog breeds need to go through this process. Here’s a short guide to help you figure out: does my dog need a fur cut?

Does Your Dog Need A Fur Cut?

The Hair Type Matters a Lot

Dogs can cool themselves by sweating through their tongues and paw pads, not through their skin like humans. So cutting down their fur doesn’t necessarily help them regulate temperature as we think.Additionally, dogs have very diverse fur types. It can be long, short, curly, smooth, soft, coarse – and it can come in two layers.

Some breeds have coats with only two layers: one’s thicker and on the outside, and then they also have an undercoat which is made up of more fine hair you can only see if you lift the outer layer. This under-layer helps create a pocket of air through the coat, a natural defense the pup has against bad weather.

Which Breeds Need to Have Their Fur Cut?

If your dog has this under-layer, you should not cut it’s fur because you’d be essentially taking away the pup’s natural defense against the heat. The undercoat isn’t meant to be on the outside and exposed, so doing it may create some issues for the dog.

Here are some breeds that have this undercoat:

Herding dogs, such as German shepherds, mastiffs, or border collies;
Hunting breeds, such as labradors or dachshund;
Nordic breeds, like huskies;
Mixes of these layers, no matter how closely they resemble the breed, will inherit the undercoat

So, if you want to know if your dog’s fur should be cut, you can take a closer look at their fur. If you see tiny hairs beneath, it means your pup has an undercoat, and you should not have their fur cut.

What about Shaving?

A popular grooming method is shaving the dog’s fur, which means you’re cutting the fur a lot closer to the skin than in the case of cutting. Remember that the dog’s fur serves an additional purpose of protecting the dog’s skin from the sun, so shaving it completely could mean its skin is completely exposed, which can cause skin burns.

These decisions can be confusing for many dog owners, whether their pup has a single or double-layer fur. The best thing you can do is to consult with a vet or a professional dog groomer and see what’s best for the dog. In some cases, a good fur brushing is enough to make sure the fur is healthy.

Looking for a Good Dog Groomer?

The Paws & Unwind pet groomers can make sure your pup gets the best grooming experience. We’ll help you figure out what’s best for your dog regarding its fur.

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