Will giving my Golden Retriever a "crew cut" during the winter hurt him (it's 20 degrees here)?

Question

I have the shaggiest, hairiest, stinkiest Golden Retriever. Love him, but his hair is EVERYWHERE and I cannot keep it under control. I'd like to get him clipped/shaved, but I am wondering if doing so would hurt him, like sending him out into the cold without a coat on. He is mostly an inside dog (his choice), only going outside to do his business. I live in Reno, Nevada, USA, and it can get down to 15-20 degrees or so. Any other reasonable suggestions other than shaving him?

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to answer. I've gotten some really good suggestions. I'll likely take him to the groomer and then keep up on his brushings after that. We'll see how it goes. And yes, I get the hairy tumbleweeds all over the house - and I have a big house (3200 square feet!) Ugh! What a nightmare to up-keep.

Answer 1

I would first try regular brushing and bathing. If you take him to a good groomer you will see what can be accomplished just with that.

However, if you want to shave him down, since he is an inside dog he should be fine. Note, it will not ELIMINATE shedding, he'll just shed shorter hairs.

Answer 2

I'm not a vet or anything, but I recently shaved my dog..not down to the skin mind you, but like you said, a crew cut. He is an Aussie mix, and has very coarse outer coat and a fluffly undercoat and also sheds very badly. Do you get the "tumbleweeds" like I do in the corners? Well, I bought a doggie clipper from PetSmart that I used to just kind of trim him with a little and gave it a go. I don't know the first thing about grooming, but I must say, he doesn't look half bad. Using the blade guard is the key so you don't go too short and it stays even, clip in the same direction also following the grain of the hair. I also live in PA, and he really only goes outside also to do his business and play a little. He barely sheds now, doesn't scratch as much, and bathing him is so much easier now. He doesn't take all day to dry. I can't take him to a groomer as he is very aggressive around strangers, and he is a little older (12 yrs) so we fear a visit to a groomer would get him too fired up and strain his little heart too much. Anyhow, if you try it, take your time, and if he looks goofy, it grows back fast, trust me. I don't mind doggie sweaters either. My dog would never put up with it, but some dogs like greyhounds that naturally have little hair wear them alot in colder climates. Good luck!!

Answer 3

Don't clip him. It would be very bad for him. Try taking him to a groomer to work through the coat and get the mats out, etc. Then, keep up on it and keep him groomed. You'll never eliminate the shedding, but grooming will help. My goldens are mostly inside dogs too, but I've never clipped them. The coat protects them in the winter, and in the summer too. A good groomer will help you.

Answer 4

Daily combing should greatly lessen the hair problem. If the dog smells (so much it offends you) it could be a health problem. Take the dog to the groomers monthly (or bathe it yourself) and keep up by brushing. A dogs coat naturally helps regulate its temperature. Most people don't know that shaving your dog in the summer isn't a good idea. The hair actually protects the skin from the sun. I never do more than trim my dogs and remove mats. I do take them to groomer monthly from spring til fall for a bath because I am unable to do it myself.

Answer 5

My brother had a golden that they kept clipped year-round. He didn't have any problems - we live in PA, so the weather can be nasty. If he's an inside dog, I don't see why not. I know that they have long coats for a reason (regarding the previous answer), however, if you aren't using him as a hunting/retrieving dog, changing his coat isn't going to affect his "well-being". It does take some getting used to how they look without the hair, tho!
My suggestion - get him professionally bathed/groomed for a while, and if it doesn't help, then clip him.

Answer 6

The solar IS brighter interior the iciness because of the fact the Earth's orbit around the solar isn't a acceptable circle yet an elipse with the solar at one concentration. The Earth is closest to the solar on ~January 5th, so the solar would be brightest on and around that day. even nevertheless, this has no longer something to do with the march of the seasons, that are because of the attitude of the solar above the horizon. because of the lean of the Earth's axis whilst in comparison with the orbital airplane, The solar is almost overhead at midday in previous due spring and summer season, even nevertheless it quite is rather low interior the sky even at midday interior the iciness. in case you do not have faith me basically inspect the size of your shadow at ~a million:00PM daylight hours saving time now, and then do the comparable at 12:00 midday in previous due November or December-January and you will see what I recommend. The decrease solar attitude potential chillier temperatures, regardless of the place the solar is in its orbit.

Answer 7

For Pete's sake!!! DO NOT shave your dog!! There is another alternative. Contact a groomer in your area that offers a shedless treatment. Some use "Furminator" brand. Some call their product just "Shedless". The groomer can treat the dog so it won't shed for the rest of the winter. It isn't cheap but it's no more expensive than having your dog shaved.

Answer 8

My wife is a groomer.....you can do the haircut on him with no problem. It really doesn't matter, he is still going to have hair, the length doesn't matter. Tell the groomer to use a 4F or 5F blade, this will be a nice length, not too short.

Answer 9

I had a Golden like you describe but no smell. She could have a condition with the skin that cause them to stink, or something else. Vet could probably determine the cause of the stink. I brushed my Golden alot and it helps immensely

Answer 10

Why don't you take him to a groomer first to get him bathed and groomed out. Then keep up with weekly brushing on him. he will like this a lot better.