My dog gets mats because I don't have a lot of time to brush him. He has a bunch of fur, pictures at : http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?i=438869&j=t. Would it be ok if I shave him and leave him sweater-less?
2007-01-05 17:22:05 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
There is a great brush at QVC.Com, that gets out the extra hair before it turns into mats. Petsmart has some great brushes specially for cutting through mats without shaving his hair.
You just have to brush him, it's part of grooming. Take him to the groomer. Letting him get matted is not being a good pet parent. It only takes a few minutes a day on a regular basis, are you saying you don't have 10 minutes a day to spend on him? If you did it everyday it wouldn't even take that long. Because when you brush them on a regular basis it takes a lot less time then when you let it go.
You live in a cold climate, it would be horrific for him to be without his fur coat. If you aren't comfortable going outside in a tshirt then it's too cold outside for your dog without his fur. Even here in Arizona where it is much warmer my shih tzu does not get a haircut in the fall or winter. She is a lot of work, but that is part of pet responsibility.
Bear is so cute though, you just need to do more to take care of him. He has that winter coat for a reason!
I was reading your blog, I can tell you brushing your dog on a regular basis is far more important than giving your cats a bath!
2007-01-05 17:29:51 · answer #1 · answered by Proud to be APBT 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ultimately, its up to you. What you really need to know is if you can help him cope with a shorter coat in the winter. Contrary to what some would have you believe, you CAN shave a dog in the winter, as long as you shave him long, meaning don't get too close to the skin, so you don't leave him without an undercoat. Dogs put on an extra layer of fur AND fat in the winter to insulate themselves. Generally, mats occur when the dog sheds some of the undercoat and it tangles with the outer coat. You CAN shave off the outer coat, and then brush out the remaining mats that the shaving did not get. If you go to the groomer, you are likely to be advised to shave him, because sometimes shaving (even in winter) is the best idea. If you shave him yourself, keep him inside as much as possible, take him out for normal potty time and short walks, and you can even get him a doggy sweater or something. It is usually recommended to shave a dog in spring, but that doesn't mean it can't be done in the winter if its best for the dog. As long as you make sure the dog doesn't get too cold, you should be ok. Dogs, just like people, will shiver when their body heat gets too low, so when you are out, even in the snow, watch him and try to keep his outside advenures short and sweet until his fur has grown out a bit. Shaving him will give you shorter fur to learn to groom regularly though, because brushing is always preferable to shaving if you can.
Your dog looks to be an indoor dog anyway, so keeping him warm should not be a problem for you. Consider that many dogs like chihuahuas and some other miniature breeds have very thin coats anyway and do just fine.
2007-01-05 18:00:34 · answer #2 · answered by Timberwolf 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
YOu are in Wisconsin...u are not allowed to wear a coat, sweater, hat or gloves.
What do you think? Can you shave your dog and let him go out without a sweater?
You love your dog - get up 15 minutes early in the morning and spend some time grooming him or take him to be groomed on a regular basis.
2007-01-05 17:32:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
in the journey that your Shih Tzu grew to become into disheveled to the exterior the groomer had no selection different than shaving him down with the aid of fact a disheveled coat is painful. it variety of feels the vet and your helper agreed that the dogs necessary shaving so his coat ought to have been very disheveled. purchase a dogs coat for him to maintain him heat. there are various types and fabric available distinctly for small canines. Now your dogs has been shaved down please brush and comb him on a daily basis to circumvent his coat from matting. Then he won't ought to be shaved back.
2016-11-26 23:16:49 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Norwich has a pretty thick coat, and one of the first things his first trainer said to me was "promise me you'll never cut his hair off." He explained to me that not only does the fur act to heat him in the winter, it acts to protect him from the sun in the summer.
Normally, Norwichs have long wiry hair, but I have mine groomed, so it's much softer and easier to care for (I'm lucky, he really only needs a brushing every few days). Yours looks like a challenge to brush, but if you just set aside a few minutes a day, eventually he'll be so much easier to maintain. (Don't try to get all the mats out in one sitting -- just do a little bit a day!) Plus, you can make the brushing time a special, quiet, relaxing time just between you and your dog.
He's a cutie!
2007-01-05 17:35:49 · answer #5 · answered by Deryn 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say if the dog is kept inside or outside.
If kept inside, it would be okay to have him shaved, but if kept outside, then you need to take it to a groomer, who will remove the mats, but leave the coat (and the undercoat) long enough to keep him warm.
2007-01-05 18:47:35 · answer #6 · answered by amccoy1962 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't let your dog get like that, and no it wouldn't be a smart idea to shave him in the winter. He needs his coat to stay warm. Find the time to take better care of him. Brush him. If you can't, then take him to a professional groomer.
As pet-owners, we are responsible for taking care of the animals we love! If you can't find the time to take care of him well, then you need to prioritize better. I am not criticizing you, just suggesting you reorder your time.
2007-01-05 17:26:48 · answer #7 · answered by 60s Chick 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Dogs get cold just like we do. you wouldnt want to go outside without your coat. same for them. matting makes them uncomfortable too. so when u shave give them a sweater. its worth it, they are our babies :D
2007-01-05 17:30:45 · answer #8 · answered by Deborah H 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he lives in the house,then there should be no problem.Just wear a sweater on him when it's really cold outside.He's very cute,by the way.
2007-01-05 19:47:15 · answer #9 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute!!!!!
Reminds me of my Buttons, a shetland sheep dog/german shepard I had 25 years ago. When he was a baby, he had the cutest little button nose! Then, as he grew, he became Butt-butt, then,...Butt-head, Butt-brain...........He weighed about 150 lbs ......barked at everything......
oh, I shaved (clippers) him on the summer only.....
oh, and please tell Maisy's people that there is no E at the end of "POTATO".......
2007-01-05 17:54:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋