28/07/2025
DO NOT SHAVE YOUR BELGIAN!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YsJZPdQec/
The hot summer weather has arrived and along with it comes the seasonal debate on " Should I shave my dog's coat this summer?"
If you own a breed of dog that has a double coat ( German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, and Siberian Huskies, Malamutes and other northern breeds) then the answer is resoundingly NO, you should NOT seasonally shave these dogs in an effort to make them cooler.
So very sad to know that there are some Vets and groomers out there who are so ignorant about this subject that they advocate shaving for these dogs.
A double coated dog's outer coat is designed to create an air pocket to trap cool air and to protect its skin from the burning rays of the hot sun. If you shave these breeds of dogs, you are taking away the only protection their skin has from the hot sun. Additionally, when you shave the fur off of a double coated breed dog, the new coat that grows in may come in patchy and damaged. As well, shaving could unwittingly cause allopecia ( a condition where the hair follicles are no longer able to produce hair) meaning that your dog now will not be able to fully grow back their winter coats.
So please, there are other ways to keep double coated dogs cool in the summer heat without shaving off their coats. Do make sure you that you comb out the insulating undercoat to help facilitate air circulation to the skin and body. Removing this undercoat will help your dog feel cooler in the warmer summer temperatures.
