2006-06-23 01:22:06 · 10 answers · asked by zappyrat 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have Newfies and have had them for 16 years, and you should NEVER shave one unless there is a medical reason. The coat provides insulation for the dog in heat and cold. Kind of like the Igloo dog houses. Warm in the winter, cool in the summer. It also provides protection against insects and sun. Newfies also swim, and the water should not penetrate down to the skin because there are oils on the coat that repel the water. If you shave it, the oils are gone.
Dogs that have coats have them for a reason. Do not get a coated breed if you cannot take care of it, or feel the need to remove it. There are plenty of short coated breeds out there!!!!
2006-06-23 01:38:23 · answer #1 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely true! Even breeds like the Old English that are prone to terrible matts should not be shaved all the way to the skin. The coat provides insulation from the heat, the sun and insects. Dogs will shed out any undercoat that they don't need. Even Bedouins in the desert wear protection from the sun.
2006-06-23 07:03:56 · answer #2 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a border collie / retriever mix and I shave him down, his hair is just so long, and he sheds everywhere. He seems to feel more comfortable when his hair is shaved. What I have heard, is that you don't want to shave a dog that has "down" as an undercoat. Those dogs are usually among the artic breeds, such as huskey and malamute. When I had a newfoundland, I always shaved him in the hot summer months also.
2006-06-23 01:31:45 · answer #3 · answered by buggsnme2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Long hair dogs such as huskeys or any other breed with a down undercoat are dogs meant to be in the artic all the time. Shaving them posts no risk to their health the hair will always return to normal before winter. If ytou were stuck in a winter jacket and snow pants boots, scarve, and hat on a ninty degree day wouldn't you apprectiate sheding the layers? this is how your dog feels.
2006-06-23 01:52:55 · answer #4 · answered by Sandra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe in shaving a dog. I think their fur is there for a reason, protection from the cold in the winter, then they shed and get a summer coat, protection from the sun, water resistance, bugs, and insulation and they actually have a cooling system.
2006-06-23 01:39:43 · answer #5 · answered by Marge Simpson 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The long hair protects them from the sun. Let them keep their natural protection. Dogs do not lose much body heat through their skin so shaving does not help.
2006-06-23 01:54:45 · answer #6 · answered by TMF 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we shaved our akitas they would their hair would grow back very very corse. So I bet that is why they say you shouldn't shave long haired dogs. But I'm not sure if that applies to every long haired breed, it could. Just keep your long haired dog cool by giving him or her lots of water. They sure pant a lot more during the hotter days, but that's how they keep themselves cool. My dogs still like go outside during these days; they just like to go out for shorter times usually.
2006-06-23 06:48:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been told not to (by friends) but our long, haired Aussie mix seems so much happier when she's shaved. She has so much more energy.
2006-06-23 04:21:22 · answer #8 · answered by kublackbird 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure that's true. I shaved my Old English Sheepdog all the time and nothiing ever happened to him because of it.
2006-06-23 01:26:03 · answer #9 · answered by J Somethingorother 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is true but i have a keeshond and i shave him down anyways
2006-06-23 02:30:20 · answer #10 · answered by sunny dee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋