The Real Answer to the Question: Can you shave an australian shepherd?
Many dog owners think that Australian Shepherds with shorter hair will stay cooler in hotter weather. Some of them even believe shaving might lessen the shedding of their dog. But are these statements supported by any credible evidence?
Many veterinarians advise against shearing healthy Australian Shepherds’ coats all the way down to their skin. They won’t remain cooler in hot weather and their shedding won’t be stopped by shaving off all of their fur. There are, however, few instances in when it is permissible to shave an Aussie.
As we learn more about shaving Australian Shepherds, please remain seated. Additionally, we’ll dispel several myths regarding coat shaving in this article to enable you to make an educated choice for your dog.
In order to remain cool during the summer, several dog breeds, notably Australian Shepherds or Aussies, pant often and take rest breaks in shady areas. Some dog owners shave their dogs’ coats all the way down to their skin in an attempt to aid them.
Even some individuals believe that this approach is advantageous, especially for dogs with long, dark-coated coats. In the summer, these jackets may not be the best choice since they are believed to absorb and retain more heat.
Shaving your Aussie’s whole coat, regardless of whether it is black, tri-colored, red or blue merle, or whether it has short or long hair, causes more damage than good. Check out the in-depth justifications provided below to see why:
1. Complete shaving exposes their skin to damaging UV rays
Australian Shepherds naturally defend themselves from sunburn with their fur. You expose their skin to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of sunlight when you completely shave their coats.
Unfortunately, dogs that are repeatedly overexposed to UV radiation may get severe sunburns that eventually turn into skin cancer. Use dog sunscreen to protect the skin of your Aussie from UV radiation if it has been groomed.
2. Australian Shepherds who have been shaved are more vulnerable to skin wounds, illnesses, and insect bites.
Your Australian Shepherd’s skin will be more vulnerable to skin injuries including abrasions and wounds after a thorough shaving. Unfortunately, these wounds provide the ideal environment for certain contagious microorganisms to flourish.
Yeast dermatitis and staphylococcal pyoderma are two of the most prevalent skin illnesses in dogs. Full shaving also makes Australians more likely to get insect bites, which once again might result in a skin ailment if left untreated.
3. Razored It will be challenging for Australian Shepherds to control their body temperatures.
Australian Shepherds’ double, thick coats adapt well to the shifting seasons. Their guard hairs, which are their outer coats, insulate their skin, keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
4. Dog Overheating Cannot Be Prevented by Shaving
Australian Shepherds trap air in their inner coats. They hold warm air in the winter and chilly air in the summer. In either scenario, the dog’s coat serves as a barrier between the dog’s internal temperature and the harsh weather conditions outside.
This insulating layer is harmed when you shave your dog’s coat, increasing their risk of overheating.
You should give your Australian Shepherd lots of water and a cool spot to relax if you want it to keep cool. It might be useful to provide your dog with a cool, indoor space to retreat to.
Additionally, avoid exercising your dog during the hottest part of the day, and never leave your dog alone in a moving vehicle. Bring water for your Aussie whenever you go on a walk. I suggest the bottle down below. To see it on Amazon, click the picture.
In the meanwhile, they naturally lose their inner coats in the spring and autumn to get ready for the approaching summer and winter. Australians who have just shaved have a harder time controlling their body temperature, which raises the danger of hypothermia and heat exhaustion.
Guidelines for grooming Australian Shepherds
The most crucial step in keeping an Australian Shepherd’s coat in excellent condition is to brush it as often as possible, ideally every day. The double coat of the dog’s increases its ability to insulate by brushing. Additionally, it stimulates skin, gets rid of old hair, and stops shedding.
Use a long-toothed rake for the undercoat and a slicker brush for the top coat when grooming your Australian Shepherd. As you proceed, doing so eliminates knots and dead fur. Brush down to the skin while following the coat’s direction. For this, the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush works beautifully.
How Often Should You Trim Your Dog’s Hair?
Although trimming is not necessary for Australian Shepherds, it may be beneficial if your dog’s hair has a propensity to mat or if your dog tends to overheat in the summer.
Dogs regulate their body temperature via their feet, so preventing the hair from becoming too long and obscuring the pads is one way to keep them cool.
When trimming the feet, use a slicker brush to gently sweep the hair toward the leg. Then, cut the fur using a pair of thinning shears or clippers. Just take care not to nick the foot pads.
Trimming the tail, which involves cutting a straight line down the end using thinning shears, is another way to tidy up the hair. Generally, the legs may be left alone, but if you do decide to trim them, lift the dog’s leg up and remove one-third to one-half of the fringe.
The dog’s britches may be trimmed with the use of thinning shears. However, if you do so, be careful to adhere to the coat’s natural curvature.
Topic: Can you shave an australian shepherd
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/iloveaustralia.page/
I am arguably the most popular Australian writer of all time. I am from the town of Karrinyup in rural Western Australia. When I was young, I was fascinated by the unique landscape of Australia, and I decided to support himself by writing books about the Australian landscape.
