Is it okay to cut my dogs hair?

Question

His hair is really long and i like it shorter. He's a Cocker Spaniel that's 20 pounds. We can't have him in the house so he's outside. He has a house and a heater. It's winter time and the worst it gets sometimes is about 10 below. Would it be safe to cut his hair?

he has a dog house with a door and shavings and a heater so it he's warm all the time, i'm just asking would it be better to wait till spring or summer?

I would take him to a professional cutter.

Answer 1

dont cut his hair he may have a heater but i have a cocker spaniell he he looks great with long hair and he stays warm

Answer 2

Have you been combing out all that hair on a regular basis? (daily./weekly?) If not, no doubt all that hair is matted to the skin. shaving is pretty much the only option at this point.
If you leave the dog long and matted until spring..the dog is going to end up sick. See..aitflow needs to be able to get to the skin. Once a dogs coat is matted..air flow cannot get to the skin. The dog is outside and is going to be in the wet, snow for about 4 months. His skin will get wet and since the caot is matted, and airflow cannot get to the skin, his skin can take up to 3 days or so to dry totally. This just leaves the dog wet, cold and damp in the freezing cold outside.
I would take the dog to a groomer to find out how much of the coat can be saved. He may need to be shaved right down..maybe not. If he does need to be shaved down, it really would be better than leaving him outside to sit all winter cold and damp. You could always throw a coat on him (just make sure that stays dry) Or, bring the dog into a garage, or basement...somewhere where it is out of the elements. Cocker Spaniels really are not outside dogs

Answer 3

Since your dog can't come into the house I would say to leave his hair until summer. Consult a groomer. Make sure that you are keeping your dog groomed and clean. If possible bring him inside to bathe him so that he doesn't have to sit outside and freeze while his fur dries. If that is impossible take him to a groomer and have them bathe and dry him. If it is as cold as you say your dog really needs as much insulation as he can get. This wouldn't be the best season to give him a haircut.

Answer 4

Not in that weather.

Edit: He still has to go outside at some point, doesn't he? Does he go to the bathroom in there? Is he confined to a heated area 24/7 ? Then it's too cold, and he needs his hair. Wait for spring.

Answer 5

A Cocker is hard to do era. i would not advise which you do your Cocker with in basic terms scissors, your hands & hands could have blisters via the time you're finished. As a prior Groomer I rather professional in behavioral issues & I have been given a brilliant number of canines in basic terms like yours. & have faith it or no longer they have been often Cockers. My attitude is that I also have a job to do & i'm unlikely to permit this canines to end me in doing my job. As a Behaviorist I understood his aggression & with a couple of minutes the canines understood & cooperated. yet there are a number of strategies to get around an aggressive canines. you may desire to discover a groomer this is powerful with hard canines. Ask your Vet. this is have been I picked up maximum of me purchasers. you will get a delicate tranquilizer from the Vet., have the groomer muzzle the canines, you need to no longer stay with the canines. reason it makes them element which you will shelter them & once you do no longer they sense betrayed. come across a groomer who's familiar with with regard to the extra effective temperamented canines. talk on your Vet, &/or human beings you realize that has a canines like yours. Edit: positioned cotton balls deep interior the ears, which will help with a number of the noises.

Answer 6

Depends on how short you want it. A trim isn't a problem but if you want it really short then wait till spring. Oh and if you don't want your dog to look stupid because you've cut it yourself.. take him to a pet barber otherwise it could be a big mess.. not that he'd care of course but you might end up regretting it ;P

Answer 7

No. Also, most states consider it neglect and cruelty to keep an animal outdoors below zero.
Do not cut his hair in the winter...there is a reason why he grew that coat...to keep warm.

Answer 8

i would wait for the better weather he will need all the fur hes got to keep him warm:)

Dont let people make you feel guilty about keeping your dog outside as long as he has food,water,heat & company he will be fine:)

Answer 9

for starters if you unprofessionally cut a dogs hair you ruin the natural shape and it wont grow back to its original shape.. if you took it to a professional.. or to a dog groomer and had yor dogs fur cut your dog would be fine as long as it had someplace warm to go

Answer 10

id go to a pet store and have him or her have its hair cut there instead of making a mistake or somthing.