we shaved him for the hot summer months. I went on the internet later on and realized that its recommended this isn't done for this breed. This is the first time we've done it to him, will their be any long term effects?
2007-10-31 04:23:12 · 29 answers · asked by John D 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Of course it will grow back! If he went to the vet for an operation, they would shave him yeah?? Don't shave him again, groom him and take him swimming or something. I bet you hated it too when you were done?! Don't feel bad, just don't do it again..
2007-10-31 04:33:23 · answer #1 · answered by jukette 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes dogs have to be shaved when they get fungal infections and even then don't have problems with their hair growing back. Usually, Golden Retrievers aren't shaved down for summer, even where I live, but I'd think your dog would be fine and his hair should grow back but I wouldn't do it again. How short did you shave him?
The shorter the shave, the longer it takes for the coat to grow back.
You can use a furminator on your dog next shedding season and that should help remove the excessive shed dogs do that have coats like your dog.
The likeliest long term effect is waiting a long time for the hair to grow back. I have shaved down lots of Chows for summer, though usually they get a plush coat shave, teddy bear style that leaves a few inches of hair.
Sometimes owners wanted their dogs shorter and there were some breeds I would not do. I'd most likely not do a Golden Retriever because they have a different coat texture from thick coated chows and other dogs that are better "shave" candidates.
There are chows that are smoother coated and I wouldn't shave them. It just doesn't work the same, though generally speaking, a dogs coat will grow back.
How long is your dog's coat right now? Brush him regularly with a good quality pin brush and a natural bristle brush. Feed him good food and give him supplements for skin and coat.
2007-10-31 11:41:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
We currently have two goldens and yes they do shed!!! While shaving is not a great idea, the hair should grow back. Goldens actually have two coats, an undercoat and upper hair. Both help to insulate and protect the dog from cold and heat.
The undercoat of your Golden should grow back no problem. Depending on the age of your dog the upper should as well. I don't know how long this will take, but the older the dog the less likely the upper hair is to grow back. If it doesn't your dog will have a slightly scruffy look. Either way be sure to take care of that double coated dog's coat very well. I've listed some grooming tips below. Give your dog a belly rub for me!
Be sure to watch your dogs skin closely since it is shaved though. Goldens have sensitive skin as is, so check for fleas and ticks and "hot spots" regularly. Also monitor its sun exposure since it doesn't have it's natural "sunscreen" now.
TIPS FOR GROOMING: An undercoat rake and a steady routine of brushing will solve most of the shedding problem. Goldens actually have two coats of hair. Their coat is designed to keep them comfortable and protect them in both winter and summer. During the winter, the undercoat grows, and in the spring they begin to blow that coat. The undercoat rake is designed to remove all of the dead undercoat. When first using one, it will take a few sessions of raking and brushing to remove all of the dead coat, but once you have done that, a weekly routine of brushing and using the undercoat rake will keep shedding to a minimum. The first time you use it, you will be shocked at the amount of hair you remove.
Combine the undercoat rake with the Porcupine Bristle Brush and you have the tools to keep your Golden's coat looking beautiful and you can control indoor shedding.
2007-10-31 12:03:27 · answer #3 · answered by Answers you may appreciate 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
All his hair will grow back fine! It may take a while, but it will and it may even be thicker and healthier! Just make sure he isn't in the sun for long periods of time, even if it is cold! I had a dog with long hair when I was a teenager, and no matter how much you brushed her, she would still roll around in the dirt and get matted! So I would have her shaved every now and again, she hated it, she would hide under the bed and only come out to eat and potty and go right back under there, she did not like for people to stare or laugh around her, she thought they were making fun of her! Poor Girl! Anyway, good luck, I hope it grows back really fast!!!
2007-10-31 11:52:02 · answer #4 · answered by meloni o 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, his coat will grow back completely, although it may take as much as a year for it to look completely normal. You will want to remember that without his proper coat, he doesn't have his normal protection from the environment and can sunburn or get cold easily Even when it looks mostly grown in, his coat still won't give proper protection from the elements because the normal layers won't be there.
It was also my experience with huskies, but it may be different with goldens, that the growing in coat was pretty rough and tended to get lots of debris in it, so I had be more careful about keeping them clean.
I live in an area that gets really hot, and used to shave my huskies several times a during the warmer months. One got a lion cut but I left her tail and a strip down her back. The other got a straight mohawk. It was funny as anything and they really enjoyed the relief from all that hair...
2007-10-31 11:30:37 · answer #5 · answered by heart o' gold 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
He will be fine. Someone once shaved my dog Jessie, much too short and by Autumn it was just coming in. It was not as thick early in the season but by winter it was fine. My neighbor has a Golden Retriever also, and his dog does get shaved every year and he seems to be o.k..
I don't shave Jessie anymore- I only trim her longer hair, as she is part Chow/ Retriever and the hair gets quite thick. I found that when you shave it the bugs have a tendency to bite more, and they can get irritation from the sun. Best to just trim a little if needed, but, don't go to the bottom layer. A medium layer of fur actually works an insulator for the doggie during the heated months.
2007-10-31 11:40:21 · answer #6 · answered by Country Girl 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I also had a golden. It should be fine, it just may take a while. The undercoat will come in first. Be very careful with the dog in the weather until the coat grows back so that it will not get a cold.
2007-10-31 11:54:32 · answer #7 · answered by I love the flipflops 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
His coat will grow back just fine. Next year, have him given a "puppy cut" and don't shave him. Less stress on the dog and not so much chance of sunburn
2007-10-31 15:21:20 · answer #8 · answered by MANDYLBH 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My parents have 2 goldens that they shave down every year and every year they grow a full coat back, so I wouldn't worry!
2007-10-31 11:27:07 · answer #9 · answered by babyangelsmom06 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it should grow back, although this could take some time.
We have had several goldens, and we do groom them quite short in the warmer months. By winter, their coats are always full and fluffy.
In the future, you may have better luck with a shedder blade (available at pet stores or even tack and saddle shops) than a razor or clippers.
2007-10-31 11:27:06 · answer #10 · answered by Nickers 3 · 8⤊ 1⤋