To clip or not to clip!

I clip all year round, I just take a lot more off in summer!

Before any clipping:
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Winter plumage:
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Summer plumage:
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His coat is no good in the wet, so clipping it a bit shorter in winter helps him to dry out faster, and in summer it keeps him cool:)
 
hes very sweet!

iv got a big hairy GSD X he is struggling with the heat all ready!
i usually have his tummy clipped but im debating wether or not to go for a full clip!!

is it just wrong to do that to a GSD??? i use to clip my long haired collie even though the groomer said she would look stupid! and she loved being nude!!
 
I have just clipped Molly Spaniel. She is now to be called "chemo dog" as there are some very bald patches :o
 
Just had my springer done as she sprouted fuzzy hair after she was spade, she looks fab, will try and get some pics later. Not sure bout a GSD but if you do, put up some pics, would be interesting.

JoG, although I don't think you mean what you said to be offensive, having lost friends and family to cancer I don't think its something to use in a joke, sorry
 
Actually, clipping a double coated breed doesn't make them stay cooler. It is actually removing their only form of insulation, and protection from the sun. My poodle (even tho not double coated, has very thick wool) stays cooler with longer hair. If you touch the surface of the coat it feels hot. Reach down to the skin it's much cooler.

However, having said that, I will clip double coats (GSDs, Collies etc) if htere is a valid medical reason, eg skin conditions etc. I will also sometimes remove the excess undercoat and shave the belly if it's matted - as it's not doing the job correctly if matted. Not only that but it'd be painful to demat a tummy area.

Your average pet spaniel, poodle, lhasa, terrier etc - all can be clipped year round. There is no reason to not clip, unless of course you're requiring a show type trim and handstripping or scissoring is the only way to go. But still, regular grooming will benefit any and all dogs, long or short coated.
 
PucciNPoni said:
Actually, clipping a double coated breed doesn't make them stay cooler. It is actually removing their only form of insulation, and protection from the sun. My poodle (even tho not double coated, has very thick wool) stays cooler with longer hair. If you touch the surface of the coat it feels hot. Reach down to the skin it's much cooler.

However, having said that, I will clip double coats (GSDs, Collies etc) if htere is a valid medical reason, eg skin conditions etc. I will also sometimes remove the excess undercoat and shave the belly if it's matted - as it's not doing the job correctly if matted. Not only that but it'd be painful to demat a tummy area.

Your average pet spaniel, poodle, lhasa, terrier etc - all can be clipped year round. There is no reason to not clip, unless of course you're requiring a show type trim and handstripping or scissoring is the only way to go. But still, regular grooming will benefit any and all dogs, long or short coated.
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I am also a groomer and totally agree with you - i will never ever clip a double coated breed unless with a valid medical reason - it makes the hair grow back thicker and aweful, so unless its to be clipped constantly due to bad skin i wont touch them. Once had some ask me to clip a chuffin samoyed?? Why get a dog like this to have it clipped??!!

Most dogs, for example spaniels do benefit from clipping however, the working breeds tend to have such a beautiful coat id never set clippers upon it!

Clipping is personal preferance... handstrip is another good alternative providing the dog is still intact (although i do handstrip spayed dogs who have retaineda lovely coat) - borders look gorgous....

talk to your local groomer - they are the best judges (use a reputable groomer with experience not just a wannabe who hasnt a clue, check referances if unsure and photo evidence of work, even better, go through the petcare trust) and never act impulsively - once clipped you've had it really, it will permanently alter the coat on most occassions....

cuddles and tickles to all our 4 legged friends here xxx
 
Glad you 2 groomers think its a no no to clip a GSD. Its not something I would ever consider, as you say the coat is designed for the out layer to act as insulation. In all my years of owning GSDs I have never found they get too hot, and my Mum judged in S Africa in very high temperatures, dogs seemed to cope fine in the heat despite the classes going on for a long time.
 
MurphysMinder said:
Glad you 2 groomers think its a no no to clip a GSD. Its not something I would ever consider, as you say the coat is designed for the out layer to act as insulation. In all my years of owning GSDs I have never found they get too hot, and my Mum judged in S Africa in very high temperatures, dogs seemed to cope fine in the heat despite the classes going on for a long time.
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Most reputable groomers will know this...and understand it. Sometimes however you will find that groomers will cave to the pressure of the owner who "knows best" and clip anyway. Afterall, "if I don't do it, someone else will". All we can do is try to educate the owners and hopefully get them to see that clipping that coat is not the right thing to do.

Now, I have been taught that clipping a bichon or a kerry blue will ruin the coat, yet scissoring is not only okay, but the "only" way to not wreck the coat. As yet, despite me queries, not a single person has ever been able to explain the how-and-why this is. IMO, cutting is cutting, whether by a mechanical clipper or a scissor. I can explain and understand the logic behind raking, handstripping and thinning with a variety of non cutting tools on certain coats, but that one I don't get.

As for whether or not it's okay to clip or not a double coat....well, if you're okay to have the coat come back thicker, to lose it's top coat of protection and for it to turn in to a spongy mess - SURE it's okay then. ;)
 
Really pleased to read this thread - thanks to all for being so informative as I was toying with the idea of clipping our long haired Border Collie and was unaware of the (very valid) reasons for not clipping him. He'll be happy now he's got a reprieve :-)

On another note though, he does sport a set of very fluffy knickers with really coarse hair that despite any amount of grooming/brushing just always seems to be permanently tangled. Ditto, between his back legs, the hair matts really easily. I did 'trim' his knickers in the winter but wonder if there is a better way of dealing with this.

Sorry to hijack but is semi related and hope someone can offer me some good advice.

Cheers,
 
Taffyhorse said:
Really pleased to read this thread - thanks to all for being so informative as I was toying with the idea of clipping our long haired Border Collie and was unaware of the (very valid) reasons for not clipping him. He'll be happy now he's got a reprieve :-)

On another note though, he does sport a set of very fluffy knickers with really coarse hair that despite any amount of grooming/brushing just always seems to be permanently tangled. Ditto, between his back legs, the hair matts really easily. I did 'trim' his knickers in the winter but wonder if there is a better way of dealing with this.

Sorry to hijack but is semi related and hope someone can offer me some good advice.

Cheers,
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You can thin it out a bit with either thinning scissors or a coat king (probably need one with fairly wide spaced teeth or it'll not go thru). I'd start by brushing the knickers thoroughly so there's no knots, and then run the coat king thru it to remove as much of the excess hair as possible. You'll probably need to do this at least 3-4 x a year, or more depending on the texture and thickness of your dog's coat.
 
Taffyhorse said:
Really pleased to read this thread - thanks to all for being so informative as I was toying with the idea of clipping our long haired Border Collie and was unaware of the (very valid) reasons for not clipping him. He'll be happy now he's got a reprieve :-)

On another note though, he does sport a set of very fluffy knickers with really coarse hair that despite any amount of grooming/brushing just always seems to be permanently tangled. Ditto, between his back legs, the hair matts really easily. I did 'trim' his knickers in the winter but wonder if there is a better way of dealing with this.

Sorry to hijack but is semi related and hope someone can offer me some good advice.

Cheers,
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no offence taken! :) i have same issue with my dog!!

I want to thank you all for your knowledge giving on this subject, but if it wont help taking the hair off what can i do to help him cool off? he is just too hot! and the best way he finds to cool off at the mo is jumping in the canal!! which as you can imagine makes him smell delightful!! :)
 
Just be sensible - keep him in the shade, access to water, walk in the early morning and in the cooler evenings.
Remember, long haired, double-coated breeds still do well in, and in fact a lot originated from, countries like Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, where it gets a lot hotter than it does here! I would never clip a GSD or GSD cross, they have a double coat for a reason :)
 
Serena - mine also heads for the nearest body of water when he's hot - generally that's the neighbours pond which doesn't make him too popular (with them or us!!).

We solved that by buying him a plastic sandpit which we fill with water in the summer - any time he's a bit warm, he just goes and lays in that :-)

It cost about £10-15 from Homebase last year I think.
 
I have clipped my Westie today.....have done an awful job......my 4 year old son thought one of the lambs had got out!!!!
My westie follows me about the farm all day,so would get matted very quickly if i didnt keep on top of her coat.So looking awful,is better than having a matted coat.....its ok,i dont let her look in the mirror!!!:D
 
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