Long haired dogs: to trim or not to trim for the summer:

[hedgehog]

Our little spitz had hair that was 8-10" long, plus a dense undercoat. Yesterday we trimmed him so that now he looks like an odd poodle. But at least he is not constantly panting in the heat any more! I'd say he is much more comfortable!

[LiberalEsto]

1. Just be careful about sunburn

Those long coats help protect their skin from overexposure.

We used to have a Sammy who would find a shady spot in the yard, scoop out a shallow hole in the nice cool dirt, and lie there on hot summer days. I never trimmed her fur.

[hedgehog]

2. The two dogs hang with me all day - and only go out when the sun is low -

natural red head here!

Good advice!

[marzipanni]

3. We put a box fan in front of the back door to draw in cooler air in the evening

Our medium-coat border collie-heeler seems to love lying in front of the fan, like dogs who stick their noses out of a car window.
Even though dogs sweat through their feet and by panting, some air circulation near their full-body "scalp" must feel better than a layer of 101-102º body heat trapped in fur!

[In_The_Wind]

4. We carefully gave one of our Goldens a long haircut.

[GentryDixon]

5. I always had my Peke shaved.

I left his ears and tail. Everything else was shaved off. He was so cute, and much more comfortable. Especially when we visited our home in North Carolina.

Meet Sammy:



Sammy is now living with a neighbor across the water from me. Long story, but I do see him all the time.

[Kingofalldems]

6. My cocker getting a full buzz cut next week.

He loves it.

[a la izquierda]

7. If not done properly...

The protective undercoat can be screwed up. I used the have a Shellie, my last long haired dog. The stupid groomer shaved him almost naked. He was miserable that summer with almost nothing to protect his skin.

[hedgehog]

8. We left about an inch thick fuzz all over him - hence the poodle look!

[Honeycombe8]

9. Absolutely! They say the hair protects them, but that's if they're outside for a while....

protection from sunburn and heat (long hair separates & breathes better than shorter hair). BUT I get my cocker spaniel all-over cut really short, a close shave so to speak. Really close. He loves it! We call it his summer cut. He's so much cooler, and it's easier to control fleas and keep him groomed and clean. He's an indoor dog, so doesn't have to worry about sunburn.

Then it grows back for winter.