Why do people buy long haired breeds then clip them out???

Spyda, I love 'em all, English, German, hairy, bald, whatever!
We had one that resembled one of those African hunting dogs, she was butt ugly but lovely.
This is obviously not a scientific observation, but I have never come across a long-coat with anything other than a wonderful temper and they are usually conformationally much better too.
I am glad you do look after her coat, I see so many that need a good bloomin' brush....
 
Th whippet is actually the naughtiest dog I own...she is a little swine
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she is cheeky and hangs off the other dogs cheeks when running around...as the other dogs are all 4 x s her size and body weight...they cannot even feel her
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My Akita is fav doggi...she is like me in so many ways
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U definately need a ickle whippey though
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.....for those who do shed I see no point in clipping.

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Why? If a dog has a thick double coat like my GSD and she's panting constantly and moving around uncomfortably trying to find the coolest places to lay for most of the summer, why would you see no point in us clipping her, when once clipped she's relaxed, comfortable and able to mouch about without panting constantly??? It's a no brainer to me. Can't see why anyone would comment on it, let alone have a problem with it. Sorry, just feel strongly that my dog's comfort is more important than how she looks cosmetically, and I resent people looking shocked because she's clipped for 2 or 3 months of the year.
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No need to snap. I'm only stating facts, and the fact is that thick coats are designed to insulate against heat. If your dog truly is happier clipped and that's what you want then fine, I don't have a problem with it, I'm just saying that I personally don't see the point.

Meet my Chow - I doubt your GSD has a thicker coat than her. She copes really well with the summer heat, much better than many thinner coated (or clipped) breeds.

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BTW Shadowflame - do all Chows have blue tounges, or is it just the black coloured ones? I havent seen a Chow for years
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Aaah, you're right there about the fluffy Shepherds. She does have the most fabulous temperament, even tho she wouldn't win any beauty pageants. Especially with the floppy ear. She's 9 now and I've four sons aged 10, 9, 7 and 4 and she's been there through it all. Used as the walking frame and cuddle blanket by each and every one of them. Great dog
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BTW Shadowflame - do all Chows have blue tounges, or is it just the black coloured ones? I havent seen a Chow for years
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Yes, all Chows should have a blue/black tongue, it's part of the breed standard. Chows are very rare in the UK now which is a shame as they're a fantastic breed. They have a reputation for being nasty, arrogant, untrainable, antisocial, etc, but my girl is about the softest dog you're likely to come across. She loves being hugged and pampered, adores other dogs and doesn't understand nastiness. She was attacked by a jack russell last week (the owners wouldn't do anything about it either
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) and all she did was whine and try to hide behind me. Wouldn't be without one now.
 
Well i clip Dil Doggie in sig he is a golden retriever, it is just much more comfortable for him and as he likes to go swimming everyday he drys quicker and stays cleaner.
 
Acolyte have you /ever had a long haired dog? The evidence speaks for itself with our two, they are happier, pant less and in much more comfort clipped..
 
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Acolyte have you /ever had a long haired dog? The evidence speaks for itself with our two, they are happier, pant less and in much more comfort clipped..

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Depends whether you count Cavaliers as long haired - since mum/sister breed them I have been around them for 27 years now. None of them are clipped. Oh and I had a long haired lurcher...

But other than that I chose short haired breeds cos I didnt want the long coats bringing even more dirt and mess into the house, hence me wondering why people got long haired breeds then clipped them.

As I say above I am not sure why people have taken this thread as being some tirade against people who clip their dogs - it isnt, it was a mildly curious question
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I had thought lots of people did it because they didnt like the maintenance and mess a long coat can bring, obviously that is not the case
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No big deal as far as I am concerned
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My German Spitz is on a variety of medications for her heart and I find it has really affected her coat. It's become dry, coarse and gets tangled very easily, so I could easily imagine having to clip her (which I have seen done with older Spitzes which also seemed to have coat problems in old age).

As for clipping in the summer my female Spitz roasts herself in the sun (she also loves really hot water if she is washed and the hair dryer at full blast!), my male one would like to live in the snow, so it really depends on the dog!
 
My Border T gets a bad haircut with a pair of scissors as she wont tolerate stripping or clippers. She got lost just after I did it last time and I had to describe her as a Border T with a terible hairdo, like a crinkle cut chip :-OOOO

Thankfully her microchip bought her safely home to our loving arms!!
 
My Dad used to breed OES years ago and he used to keep them clipped as we lived on a farm and they used to get filthy.

Then we had one as a pet up until we lost him a couple of years ago. We used to clip him out as he loved to play in the field with my horse (they were best friends!) and he would get really mucky. He would also over heat in the summer, so the best option for him and for us was to clip him.
 
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People say they clip to help them cope with the summer heat, but people don't realise is that heavy coats help to insulate dogs against heat as well as cold. For most long haired dogs, it is kinder to leave their coat intact.

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Our GSD had a long coat and she copes fine in summer. It gets VERY very hot here and we keep her in when it's hottest during the day (can go over 40C!) but the rest of the time she's out and copes perfectly well.
 
QR so dont know if anyone thinks the same........

Because they dont realise how much work a long coated breed is???

They look sooo lovely in the ads and when at crufts, but in reality some dogs hate being groomed and some owners dont have the time they would need.

Zak hates being combed, so I tend to keep him clipped short, but then thats not entirely wrong for his breed Schnauzer.... but I also dont like the long beard that he should have, it smells!!!!
 
I've got a Cocker Spaniel from showing lines.

When I had Jasper (12 1/2 years ago) I lived in the town. He had a full show coat and went to his breeder for hand stripping of the dull hairs through his back etc. Full skirt and looked lovely.

Fast forward a few years and I met and married a farmer. I tried so hard to keep Jasper with a full show coat, but it meant I wasn't letting him enjoy the new environment he found himself living in fully. He spent more time in the bath than in the fields and was constantly getting snagged on brambles etc.

Reluctantly I took the decision to have his coat cut much, much shorter. He's not completely clipped, I leave him a bit fluffy as he looks more cuddly with fluff! He might not look "posh" anymore but he's much happier and it fits his lifestyle.

I would, however, not have a dog with his type of coat next time. Might go to a Springer as they don't grow as much coat as Cockers.
 
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