on August 26, 2015 
It’s summertime, so it’s the perfect time to indulge in relaxing activities.
Being a couch potato is on the top of the list. That includes guilty pleasures like—ahem—reality TV. In my case, it’s TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress. One particular episode featured a twenty-something SoCal beach-babe bride with three pooches—two clipped Pomeranians and what appeared to be a nearly shaved white husky.
Apparently, she did a lot more research on her blinged-up, way-too-overpriced gown, to be worn only for a few hours in her lifetime, than her fur babies’ natural lifelong clothing.
Facepalm.
You’re not supposed to clip or shave spitz breeds and other double-coated breeds!
It’s the pet peeve of professional groomers.
It’s summertime, so you think having your dogs go au naturel is a great idea to beat the heat. Or maybe trying out a new, funky look for them would be pretty darn cool.
Uh, no. Not really. Here’s why.
Temperature regulation. Yes, the undercoat actually keeps dogs cool in summer and warm in winter, much like roof insulation in homes. The stiff, coarse top coat acts as a sunscreen and protection from bugs. So it’s a very bad thing to shave them in summertime!
Clipping or shaving the fur damages the coat. If it’s done frequently, the hair may not ever grow back, and if it does, it just looks plain ugly. There may also be bald patches. The fur loses its natural protective qualities, making double-coated breeds more susceptible to allergies and other skin diseases. Shaving double-coated pooches is just as silly as shaving cats in summertime!
The real, natural look is simply stunning. The plush, luxurious coat is exactly what attracts dog lovers to spitz breeds.
Regular, proper brushing of the coat does the trick to prevent matting, which is usually one of the reasons for shaving. For my husky girls, I use this type of comb:
Unless your pet is Shaun the Sheep, there are only a few exceptions where shaving is called for, but most of the time, it’s not necessary. So skip the clip at the groomers’. They’ll tell you to do that, anyway. Save your dough for something better instead—quality pet food for better health and pawesomely shiny, lush coat, as well as top-notch pet care. (Hint, hint. 😉 )
Just my $0.02.
No animals were harmed shaved during the drafting and posting of this blog entry. 
In the meantime, enjoy this short bathing-and-grooming episode of Shaun the Sheep!
