Shave dog for summer?

QUESTION:

I live in Arizona where it gets very hot in the summer. Should we shave our dog to help keep her cool?

answered by Daniel Lauridia

ANSWER:

My patients often ask me this very same question, and I also see many dogs on the street during summer who have been shaved. Unfortunately, shaving a dog to keep her cool is not a good idea. A normal summer coat protects from the heat. However, if your dog's coat is matted it will be less effective in protecting from the heat. Therefore, she should be brushed regularly to make sure that loose hair from her undercoat isn't trapped beneath the outer coat. A dog's fur actually acts as insulation from both heat and cold. Shaving can also make her more susceptible to sunburn.