By Jennie Brass, Assistant Resort Manager
The temps are heating up, and we all wanna be cool. After all this is the season where style is so important as we all get out from our yearly dose of cabin fever. Many dog owners will make an appointment to have their dog shaved for the season. But is it really the best choice? It depends entirely on the dogs coat. You might be amazed to find out that some breeds benefit from their long coat being left intact year round. Let’s look at the amazing properties of the double coat!
“Yeah, I’m cool. So what?” Ash’s coat demonstrates weatherproofing
Double coated dogs have two distinctive layers to their coat: a longer, outer layer frequently comprised of guard hairs; and a shorter, softer layer close to the skin. Throughout my life I have taken care of double coated dogs and am rather familiar with the dual coats. I grew up with a Shetland Sheepdog, the first dog I actually owned myself was also a Shetland Sheepdog, then a Border Collie, followed by two Rough Collies. Every one of these breeds possess the dense inner coat with the longer guard hairs, and they all rolled their coat. This means they shed out dead hairs that required regular brushing to remove.
Meet Calypso, my first dog
The shedding double coat possesses some truly amazing qualities. The outer guard hairs weather proof the coat against moisture; catching precipitation from all seasons and holding it away from the body. The guard hairs also work to hold cold and heat away from the body. Meanwhile, a well-maintained inner coat provides a layer that buffers the air aiding in temp regulation. This works in both cold and warm weather, commonly people think it only works in the winter. The thick coats also work as a natural sunblock, protecting the dog from sunburn which can result in skin cancer.
Ah! This is the life! Sunbathing on a nice summer day!
Oh, but the coat is so long! It must be too warm for them! If you wish to test this, find someone with a double coater on a warm sunny day and ask if you can go for the plunge. Stick your hand down into the inner coat and you will be surprised. The inside will be significantly cooler than the outer guard hairs are. The effect is rather pronounced on a black coated dog, like my Tri-color Collie Parker. All this magic occurs due to the difference in the length of each part of the coat. If the coat is shaved the hairs are all the same length which can entirely negate the effects until it has time to completely grow back; that can take over a year depending on the coat. Thus, leaving the coat intact helps keep them comfortable. Shave them down, and the wick effect of the insulation is gone allowing the sun more ready contact to the body core. Now, this does not mean the dog can be out in any temps period and not be at risk. There is a limit to the cooling abilities. Heat advisories still need to be followed. If proper care is taken, a double coated dog like a Golden Retriever should be just fine sporting his coat unshaven all year round.
Double coats will of course require regular bathing and brushing as the coat’s effects are impacted by matting and an abundance of dead hairs left in the coat. A clean, well brushed coat will allow proper airflow, and brushing increases the release of oils from the skin that help to keep the fur properly weatherproofed and healthy. Not to mention most dogs learn to love the massaging effect of a nice brush out. My dogs all gather in a semi-circle around me waiting their turn to be brushed.
Ion’s sable colored coat highlights his black guard hairs. See the outer layer?
Another reason to be sure a coat is well brushed out is a condition called a Hot Spot. There are many reasons for these annoying things to occur, but one easily prevented trigger is ensuring there are no mats to trap moisture close to the skin. Hot Spots are a sore that develops rather rapidly when bacteria creates a local infection in the skin. The spot quickly expands into a shallow sore that must be shaved down so it can dry out. If an area on a dog has trapped moisture it creates the ideal environment to grow bacteria. This condition can happen to any type of coated dog, and can even occur in a well-maintained coat. However, frequent brushing means looking at skin more often decreasing the chance that one of these will slip notice. Hot Spots seem to be more frequent in the warmer months, though it does not mean they cannot occur in the winter!
Not all double coated dogs are the same, breeds that do not shed (like the Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu, for example) require regular trim downs or shave downs as the hairs continuously grow and do not fall out. These types of breeds benefit greatly from the styling of a groomer. If you are unsure of the proper coat care for your dog, consult a groomer for the best plan.
Ash and Ion chillin’ out in the yard
We all want the best for our beloved companions, right? Take a moment to consider your dog’s comfort this year. To shave down, or not to shave down… the coat type holds the answer!
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