Has anyone ever had their bulldog shaved in attempt to keep them cooler in warm weather? Did it work?

Answer 1

Your bulldog's fur is already too short to shave.
Many clients have come into my shop at the beginning of the summer, asking to have their naturally coated dog shaved. Naturally coated dogs are: Golden Retrievers, Collies, Shepard’s etc. As well as some smaller breeds such as: Pomeranians. These clients believe that shaving their dog will keep it cooler during the hot summer months. This is not true. There are many reasons why a naturally coated dog should not be shaved. One: it ruins the coat. A naturally coated dog has two different types of hair. The longer coarser hair is called the Guard hairs. This hair sheds much less frequently. The Guard hairs have a natural oil coating that protects the dog’s skin from water. The Guard hairs are also deep rooted into mussels under the skins surface. This allows the dog to raise the hair on its back when warning another dog or human that it is not happy and might show aggression. The second type of hair is called the undercoat. This is what sheds on your dog. The undercoat is usually much softer and finer than the guard hairs. The undercoat acts as an insulator during the colder months of the year. The undercoat sheds and re-grows much faster than the Guard hairs. If you shave your naturally coated dog the undercoat will grow much faster than the Guard hairs. This causes a fuzzy barrier that the Guard hairs must try to penetrate. This leads to increased matting of the coat. Not only is matting ugly to look at, it is extremely uncomfortable for your dog because it pulls on the skin and traps moisture, which will cause any number of skin problems. Reason Number Two: Your dog’s coat works as insulation. Your dog’s coat acts much in the same way as the insulation in your home. It can keep your home warmer in the winter months by preventing the warm air from escaping and keeping the cool air out, and it can keep you home cooler in the summer months by keeping the cool air in and the hot air out. Shaving your naturally coated dog removes a natural way your dog keeps cool in the hot weather. Sunlight is a heat source. Your dog needs its coat for a barrier between the sun and its skin. This helps against sunburn and overheating. If your dog has no coat the sun is in direct contact with your dogs skin. In the same way that the insulation in your home has air pockets to trap the cool or warm air, so does your dog’s coat. These air pockets trap cooler or warmer air, keeping your dog comfortable in all types of weather. However, if there is too much of a build up of undercoat your dog will not have enough air pockets to trap the cool air and ward off the hot air in the summer. In the early spring it is always a good idea to remove the extra undercoat. A good brushing with a proper brush and technique will reduce the shedding and make your dog much more comfortable in the hot months to come. If you feel that you cannot handle such a task, contact a professional for tips or a grooming appointment. Not shaving your naturally coated dog is much safer and healthier.

Answer 2

It is not a good idea to shave your dog. Keep the dog groomed normally. Their hair is natural protection from the elements and the sun. Their hair can actually keep them cooler and protect them from sunburn.

Answer 3

A Bulldog has short hair! Give it a big tub of water to jump into and lots of shade!
My Chow has to be shaved.

Answer 4

.no I've never shaved my bulldog but I've shaved my head and that keeps me cool in the warm weather .

Answer 5

Bulldogs should not be shaved unless they have something going on with his/her skin there are other alternatives to keeping them cool frozen water bottles for them to lay with.

Answer 6

I don't know about that. As a Bully owner though, I am sure you are aware of the dangers of hot weather to your dog. The best thing is to just keep your snorty little pal in the ac!

Answer 7

bulldogs are smooth short haired dogs that do not need shaving .
people shave Afgans ,or Poodles ,or collies ,
dogs with a lot of hair

Answer 8

bulldogs have very short hair....why shave them,they would be bald...dogs can keep their selves cool in the summer that's why they pant..

Answer 9

A dogs fur is their insulation. If you shave it the dog will be hotter and can get a sunburn.

Answer 10

dogs don't need shaved or a short hair cut, they do just fine the way they are!