Cutting the hair of Longer Haired Dogs - Good Idea or Not? (for the dog)

[Pilotman]

We have two. young Shih Tzus.  We have them regularly groomed, with hair cut shorter. but not shaved.  However, google has a lot of contrary advice ( so what's new!) on the advisability and value of this to the dog, in very hot climates. The general consensus seems to be that cutting the hair of long haired dogs is not advisable and to leave a dogs hair longer, as this helps them with heat control.  Is there any further knowledgeable advice out there please?    

[pineapple01]

My Mrs insists i have mine cut or i look like a Sheep Dog with 2  legs.

[worgeordie]

Put them in the fridge,but for just 1 hour ????,

 

Seriously I would have thought cutting some hair off

really hairy breeds would be good for them in this

very hot weather, just like you are not wearing a

Camel hair topcoat at the moment, the hair will

grow back.

regards Worgeordie

[NCC1701A]

23 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

Is there any further knowledgeable advice out there please? 

they can get sunburned. 

[Pilotman]

3 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

they can get sunburned. 

yes, that's what I read. 

[Pilotman]

14 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Put them in the fridge,but for just 1 hour ????,

 

Seriously I would have thought cutting some hair off

really hairy breeds would be good for them in this

very hot weather, just like you are not wearing a

Camel hair topcoat at the moment, the hair will

grow back.

regards Worgeordie

That apparently is just the point.  Their coat does not act like a coat that we would wear in cold weather, but rather the hair aids heat control by dissipating the heat though the hairs.  As I say, I am quoted google here. 

[jak2002003]

OP. Dog breeds such as yours will benefit from having their fur cut shorter in hot weather. 

 

Other breeds with thick insulating undercoats such as huskies do are better left with long fur, as their coat acts as insulation, both from old and the heat, like when people insulate their roof or water tanks here to keep them cool. 

 

 

[worgeordie]

1 minute ago, Pilotman said:

That apparently is just the point.  Their coat does not act like a coat that we would wear in cold weather, but rather the hair aids heat control by dissipating the heat though the hairs.  As I say, I am quoted google here. 

  Google it is then,but have a fan on to cool them,even our cat

lies in front of the fan.

regards Worgeordie

[Silent Number]

Wouldn’t think cutting long hair in this climate would be a problem only if in sun for long periods. It will help in controlling fleas ticks and mites. Easier to spot them.

[totally thaied up]

I have two Shih Tzu's. Their coats are left long. They regulate temperature and my dogs do not seem to have any problem in the heat but they live inside and rarely go outside. During the heat of the afternoon, they come into the air-conditioning with me. In fact, I am rarely alone as the dogs are with me almost 24/7 due to my illness and the fact I rarely leave home. If I saw them suffering from the heat, I would cut them instantly. I get them bathed once every two weeks at the shop and kept them on Tick treatment. I only cut their feet. You must brush the coats every day to keep tangles and matting from forming. Keeping a Shih Tzu with a long coast is a lot of work and most people tend to cut the coats to ease the work load. Photos of Shih Tzu cut short and long enclosed. Good luck with what you choose. My dogs are only 7 months old and still have the puppy coat and look crazy at the moment. They are the last picture.