5 Good reasons why you shouldn't shave your dog

think twice before reaching for the dog clippers, even if it's hot

Photo by Reba Spike on Unsplash

Does your dog look uncomfortably hot? Think twice before you reach for the dog clippers. Your dog’s coat is perfectly engineered to protect from her elements, and shaving her could do more harm than good.

1. Shaving a dog with a double coat can lead to permanent hair damage

Many dogs have double coats. Dogs like the Newfoundland and Australian shepherd have pretty thick coats, but even smooth- and short-haired breeds like the basset hound and the whippet sport a double coat. Crazy, right? It’s true. They just have very short hairs.

When you shave a double-coated dog, you run the risk of causing alopecia. This can present as patchy or widespread hair loss. Alopecia is often congenital, but damage to hair follicles can also trigger hair loss.

2. Your dog’s coat insulates her from heat AND cold

Your dog’s coat acts like the insulation in the walls of your house. Closest to your dog’s skin is a soft, downy undercoat that helps to keep your four-legged friend comf…