Golden Retriever > Is It True That Shaving a Golden Retriever Is Not Good for Them?

Roxy_girl March 23, 2007 at 11:34 am

yea. thts fine. i shaved my golden retriever

littlechrismary March 23, 2007 at 11:36 am

There is nothing wrong with shaving any dog if it’s hot. As long as they still feel pretty, they’ll be happy.

mms_wookiee March 23, 2007 at 11:36 am

Well shaving a dog doesn’t actually keep your dog cool. Your dogs fur is there for a reason. It keeps your dog cool during the summer and warm during the winter. When you shave your dogs coat your the fur will never grow back the same again.
If you want to keep your dog cool, get your dog a kiddie pool to play in and take your dog in for regular groomin. Good baths that release the undercoat will help keep your dog cool.

Dixie March 23, 2007 at 11:36 am

Its fine,just watch for sun burn and skin rashes.If it helps her do it.

Goldengal March 23, 2007 at 11:37 am

Yes it is fine. Just as long as you realize that she can get sun burn because More of her skin is exposed to the sun. Actually if you just shave her stomach it would do just as well. Make sure she has plenty of clean water to dring and is not in direct sun light for too long.

Trouble's Mama March 23, 2007 at 11:38 am

I’m sure that’s fine. I think the reason that other lady responded not to shave your dog was because you said she was a golden lab… it looks like you mean she’s part Golden, part Lab.. people now call labs who are a golden color a “golden lab”.. there’s nothing wrong w/shaving a golden… who’s mixed w/lab.

Alyssa March 23, 2007 at 11:43 am

There are 2 types of dogs. One type has a coat which grows to a designated length and stops. This includes Golden Retrievers, short haired dogs, Huskies, etc. The other type has a single coat of hair which grows indefinitely. This includes Shih-Tzus, Malteses, Cocker Spaniels, and most other long-haired dogs.

The first type of dog often has an undercoat. The entire coat works together to insulate the dog regardless of the weather. Therefore, shaving this type of dog actually disrupts the natural temperature regulation and can cause overheating, not correct it. The second type of dog has only one coat which does not regulate temperature well, and they can adapt to life with or without their hair.

I do not advise shaving the first type of dog, to include yours. I would suggest you have her bathed and brushed out regularly to reduce excess hair and prevent mats. If you’d like, the groomer will even tidy up stray hairs around her feet and feathering to make her look neat. Shaving her can cause overheating, dry skin, allergies, sunburn, and a host of other problems. Please try having her groomed without shaving her, it will be much better for her.

dog whisperer March 23, 2007 at 11:48 am

mms_wook’s answer is otally correst. May I add to her statement that you can get the dog trimmed up . A groomer can do what we call an outline, it’s sometimes called other things like a perimeter trim, ets. They just cut all the long stuff in the rear under the belly, on the legs, but nothing off of the body. What usually causes the problems is not being groomed enough. Get that old dead undercoat out and any mats. Then the skin can breathe and function properly. Dogs don’t sweat like we do. That’s why we’re so uncomfortable when we have long hair and start to sweat. Their coat is their protection. Lots of skin problems start when shaving them too.
So do yourself a favor and your dog too, just get some good , regular grooming in his schedule.
I might add that a golden’s hair is not like that of a poodle or shih tzu’s, etc. That’s why some answers say that it may not grow back right. They need their hair.

tax_man_cometh March 23, 2007 at 11:52 am

What about a Tibetan Terrier? They’re supposed to have a double coat. Not sure if they shed… yet. Time will tell. My wife wants to shave him, but he’s mighty cute with all the fur. He does pant a lot even in moderate temperatures… but loves the cold!

Mel March 26, 2007 at 7:13 am

Oh yeah, that’s a great idea! Most people wrote not to ’cause she can get sun burned!!! People are stupid, don’t listen to them. I asked a friend of mine who is a dog groomer and she said she does that all the time for Golden Retrievers. Espeacially in the summer time. =)