her for the summer months??
havent done it yet just wondering what other people have done
thanks
2006-06-12 17:48:38 · 62 answers · asked by iornman1979 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
you all have been a help
2006-06-12 18:08:30 · update #1
You can shave the long hair on the back of her legs near her hiney and also the back of her front legs where the hair is longer. Looks a little strange but she will be cooler
2006-06-24 17:06:18 · answer #1 · answered by eddie9551 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Does you lab have a rough coat? If his fur is long, it may be a good option to shave him a little. If he's got a smooth coat, he doesn't need a shave. If you worry about the summer heat, hose him down (gently) from time to time when the heat gets too brutal. Keeps him cool, and labs love water. I do that with my lab a lot. My lab also gets hot pretty quick so I always keep a lot of fresh water around for him to drink and I don't take him out a lot during the hottest time of the day.
2006-06-23 00:23:42 · answer #2 · answered by Mary J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please don't shave your dog. Most people believe it will make dog cooler, but the fur does that. In the summer months just make sure that they are flea free and have plenty of fresh clean water and if possible a shady area would be ideal. In some areas where mosquitoes are a problem, you also have to protect against heart worm infestation. You don't want your beloved pet to get these critters, go to your vet for meds. Don't take chances Also because you have a lab, I bet it would really like a swim as much as possible. Have a great safe summer..
2006-06-26 16:41:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've been a groomer for 14 years there is nothing wrong with shaving your lab. Just make sure that it is not to short because they can get sun burrned if you take your dog to the groomers have them use a 7f or a 5f backwords that is usually a good lenth at least that is what I use on the labs here when the customers wants it shaved. But the only thing is that the hair may come back in thicker.
2006-06-21 06:15:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an EXCELLENT idea to shave her for the summer! I have a black lab, and I was unsure at first, too, but the shedding just got to be too much. We shaved him, and he looked very handsome. He wasn't bald or anything, so people that didn't see him everyday didn't even really notice until we pointed it out. We could sure tell a difference, though, when we didn't have to sweep the floor twice a day!
Incidentally, we used to have a golden retriever, too. When we shaved her, she just looked like a yellow lab instead. It took some getting used to for her, because she looked different, but you could hardly tell with our black lab.
2006-06-24 15:08:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shaving is not required for this breed. Just go to any department store or pet store and get what is called a Hound Glove. You wear this and this is fun, while you rub the dog while wearing this it takes out the loose hair from her coat. Also, if you are into fly fishing lab hair makes great fishing flies. But shearing a lab is not needed. Just the old hound glove and she will love you to slobbering pieces.
2006-06-26 11:36:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of anyone shaving a Lab. You should just make sure that the dog is in a cool place, has plenty of fresh water and take it swimming, Labs love the water!
2006-06-26 06:32:21 · answer #7 · answered by AMY P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not shave the dog because dogs naturally shed in the summer to adjust to the heat, just like they shed in the winter. They shed in the winter to lose old dead fur and replace it with thick, new fur. They lose some of their hair but retain most of it to maintain homeostasis, or a perfect equilibrium for their body temperature. Shaving the dog ruins their fur and the fur will grow back abnormally.
2006-06-12 18:04:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO dont do THAT!!! not a Lab. their hair is short enough. My stepdad has a Chow/Black lab mix and she is super hairy and we do clip her down some for the summer but NEVER shave a dog all the way down, their hair protects them. Their skin is not like ours, they will burn and be subjected to so many environmental factors. not to mention how silly she will look. If she really appears to be THAT hot, make sure she has plenty of shade, plenty of water, and even hose her down sometimes. My dogs love that.
2006-06-25 05:56:57 · answer #9 · answered by mysticalflyingsquirrel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some dogs, like cocker spaniels, have fur that grows more like hair and needs to be groomed. These dogs do sometimes get "summer cuts". However, your lab is a shedder and needs his coat to protect him from sunburn. They also need this coat for insulation when they go swimming. Labs love to swim in the summer. Take her to a lake where dogs are allowed, she'll love it!
2006-06-19 14:14:22 · answer #10 · answered by Jenn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Animals have fur for a reason, and they shed their summer & winter coats for that same reason.
Winter fur tends to have more of the soft fur to help insulate and keep them warm. Summer fur is more like hair and helps to protect them from the sun's damaging rays and can actually help them keep cooler.
Besides have you ever had hair grow in after it's been shaved? It itches beyond belief, and unless you are planning to use a cone on your dog, he may actually end up hurting himself by scratching to much.
Just keep your pet hydrated and inside on particularly hot days. That should be enough to keep them comfortable.
2006-06-23 07:26:54 · answer #11 · answered by crisagi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋