Do you clip your dog?

[Spellbound454]

My 12 month old border collie is getting very hot.
She will pant for hours after she has been on her walk.....and appears quite distressed.

My other dog was ginger and white and she didn't seem to suffer as much
but this pup is almost all black.

I've never seen a clipped border collie before.... but was thinking if I just shaved her belly and armpits she might
be a bit cooler in this heat.
She is going to a show next week and might look a bit odd....but her comfort has to come first.

What do you think.?
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[ginpin]

The outercoat acts as protection, but I don't see any issue with trimming the belly.  Any luck stripping her undercoat?

[Spellbound454]

Any luck stripping her undercoat?

How do I do that?

[billisonboard]

Jun 22, 2014 10:30:29 GMT -5 Spellbound454 said:

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She is going to a show next week and might look a bit odd....but her comfort has to come first.

What do you think.?
...

Do you mean catching a movie with some friends or is she entering into a competition? If it is the latter, I think you should look at what the judges expectations will be.

[Spellbound454]

Lol no....Its our first try at obedience....doesn't really matter what she looks like as long as she follows commands.

In fact I'd rather not go at all if its going to be another hot day....Its not that important I'd rather have a happy dog.

[gacpa]

Very pretty dog.  I love dogs.  I have two shelties, a male sable and a female bi black.  They are similar to border collies in many ways.  No words of advice about handling the heat.  Good luck on the competition.

[billisonboard]

Have to admit that I thought the topic for this thread was going to be a little different when I first saw it.  Went to look for a cute picture but found this very pointed one and decided to post it instead.

[gacpa]

Maybe you could ask a vet or a vet technician about the heat issue.  They should be able to give you some ideas.

[mollyanna58]

My dog has long black hair. I asked the grooming salon about clipping his hair last summer (the first year I had him) and they said the coat protects him from the sun, and shouldn't be clipped. They did some extra procedure to get rid of most of the undercoat.

Many years ago, I had a Keeshond mix dog, also long black hair. One summer I hand cut her coat to about one inch long. She changed color from black to gray! It was an interesting look, especially with the uneven hand cut.   But she seemed much happier in the heat. 

Your dog is beautiful!

[Spellbound454]

I have two shelties, a male sable and a female bi black. They are similar to border collies in many ways.

Shelties are really attractive little dogs.....They are collies I think.... More like miniature lassie types. Nice to have a pair..

found this very pointed one and decided to post it instead.

Yes I'm still in two minds about this. The world isn't short of dogs like mine...but my girl is KC registered with some very good dogs in the lines.
I'm going to wait until she has her first season....and if its a bit of a performance for her, I'll get her neutered and be done with it.
Don't really want any puppies at the moment......but in a few years time who knows

Maybe you could ask a vet or a vet technician about the heat issue.

Yes I'll do that.......I'm sure its the black fur which is making it worse. I think she might have had heat stroke last week because she was certainly off colour for a couple of days.

Many years ago, I had a Keeshond mix dog, also long black hair. One summer I hand cut her coat to about one inch long. She changed color from black to gray! It was an interesting look, especially with the uneven hand cut. But she seemed much happier in the heat. 
Your dog is beautiful!

Oh my.....I didn't know they changed colour
I'd be tempted to clip a really long haired dog as well.......its got to be better than letting them get uncomfortable.

The only other thing I can think of is to get an outside pool and run her under the tap when she comes in from exercise.
The heat doesn't stop her chasing around....then paying for it when she can't seem to cool down.

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[mollyanna58]

my.....I didn't know they changed colour
I'd be tempted to clip a really long haired dog as well.......its got to be better than letting them get uncomfortable.

She changed color because she had a gray undercoat, which showed more when I cut the black top coat.

Your border collie would stay her existing colors.

[TrixAre4Kids]

Maybe she has a sweating problem. It happens in horses anyway. A vet would be of assistance in diagnosing that. 

[Tennesseer]

Dogs' sweat mostly from around their paws and not under the arm pits.  They pant to cool themselves.  So no need to shave her arm pits.

[sunshinegal1981]

Jun 22, 2014 19:23:26 GMT -5 TrixAre4Kids said:

Maybe she has a sweating problem. It happens in horses anyway. A vet would be of assistance in diagnosing that. 

Dogs don't sweat.  They pant instead.

I'd take her to the vet to rule out other causes for the overheating issue, just to cover all the bases. 

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I wouldn't clip her yourself - you could potentially remove fur where fur is needed - or clip into skin, causing a cut/infection.

I'd speak to a vet first to see what might be causing your dog to become heated - (is she getting enough water when out on jouneys?).

I'd also recommend using a groomer to trim the fur if that's really the issue.

Most long-haired dogs don't tire in the heat. My friend had an Irish Setter that seldom got heated - and other friends with different long-hair breeds.

[TrixAre4Kids]

Jun 22, 2014 22:57:13 GMT -5 sunshinegal1981 said:

Jun 22, 2014 19:23:26 GMT -5 TrixAre4Kids said:

Maybe she has a sweating problem. It happens in horses anyway. A vet would be of assistance in diagnosing that. 

Dogs don't sweat.  They pant instead.

I'd take her to the vet to rule out other causes for the overheating issue, just to cover all the bases. 

I thought dogs sweat through their feet. Um, their pads in their paws? No? 

[Deleted]

My baby is a cocker spaniel so her hair gets long and curly.  It's cute but hot.  Right now we keep reciting "Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear . . . " to her.  The things dogs have to put up with!  Her grooming appointment is Wed.  We call it a day at the spa because she gets her nails done, too.

She gets groomed three or four times a year. The vet has a standard grooming cut for cockers that is really short but leaves most of the pretty, silky ears. 

I'd check with the vet or groomer to see if there is a standard cut like that for border collies.

[goldensam]

Please do not shave your double coated dogs.  They do not sweat like you and me.  Their coat serves as their protection.  Instead, they need good, regular brushing.

albertnorthvetclinic.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/shaving-your-dogs-coat-should-you-or-shouldnt-you/

[mollyanna58]

Interesting reading.  Thanks for posting it.

[Abby Normal]

She's fairly thin coated so I wouldn't worry about clipping her.    If you have air conditioning, she's not acclimating well when she goes outside to excersize.  Try leaving the house a bit warmer.  If you don't have AC, then just hose her down when you get home from your walk. And keep her out of the direct sun as much as possible when your outside.  My black dogs can only handle about 15 minutes when it's really hot out.


If you think this is something you'll keep doing than you may want to make an investment for showing.

 Depending on what your crating situation is-  

Get a fan to blow on her while she's in the crate. Air movement helps.
Try a "dog cooling coat"  looks like any other coat, but you can wet it and it helps cool them.
If outdoor- get a quick shade or something to provide shade.
I can crate mine in the car even in the extreme heat.  Get reflective "blankets" to lay over the car and leave the windows open. Parking in the shade helps, but the reflective tarps keep the sun out but allow are flow.  Then I just have mine crated in the car.  Wire crate not airplane crate.  Here is a website that has some of the things you'd be looking for. I'm sure you can find some local over there.  link

Make sure they are drinking plenty of water.  Since it's her first obedience trial, I would suggest getting an additive to add to her water. Helps encourage them to drink.  My dogs don't want to drink when they are stressed.

If looks aren't a factor, then take some extra water with you and "bathe" her armpits and belly.  That will help too.

Good Luck!

[Spellbound454]

Well I've just got back from the vets and the advice on here is exactly what she has just told me.......

Her core temperature was up, so I was right to be concerned.

She gave me the symptoms of heat stroke and what to look out for.

There is a genetic collie trait for overheating apparently, although its rare. She thinks its more likely that she is a young dog who
doesn't know when to stop in the heat.

She says they do draw heat though their feet.... so she is not to go on paved areas whilst its hot.

Other than that its cold baths, the hose pipe, lots of fluid, stay in the shade, don't go out too long...... not taking her for a proper run until nine at night.

I wouldn't clip her yourself

No crikey... I wouldn't know where to start...... though I might snip off the long stuff under her tail could probably manage that.

Get a fan to blow on her while she's in the crate. Air movement helps.
Try a "dog cooling coat" looks like any other coat, but you can wet it and it helps cool them.
If outdoor- get a quick shade or something to provide shade.
I can crate mine in the car even in the extreme heat. Get reflective "blankets" to lay over the car and leave the windows open. Parking in the shade helps, but the reflective tarps keep the sun out but allow are flow. Then I just have mine crated in the car. Wire crate not airplane crate. Here is a website that has some of the things you'd be looking for. I'm sure you can find some local over there. link
Make sure they are drinking plenty of water. Since it's her first obedience trial, I would suggest getting an additive to add to her water. Helps encourage them to drink. My dogs don't want to drink when they are stressed.
If looks aren't a factor, then take some extra water with you and "bathe" her armpits and belly. That will help too.

Excellent advice there agilemom I like the idea of a "dog cooling coat" and have just been googling to see where I can get one.

At least I know whats happening now.... and can take steps to keep her safe.

Like I said my other dog didn't get like this....so this is new one on me.

[greeniis10]

Interesting thread.  Learned a few new things.

Years ago my ex-inlaws had an Akita / chow mix.  All black.  Her coat was so fluffy!  And, so thick that she just loved the snow.  But, every summer they'd have her shaved very short except for her head.  She looked like a cat!  But, after she got all that fur off she'd just prance around the yard like she was on air.  So cute.  I'd forgotten about that.

[Spellbound454]

They're inside couch potatoes anyway, so they're good

Sure, I wondered many times why I didn't get a quieter one. There is a lot to be said for couch potatoes lol

after she got all that fur off she'd just prance around the yard like she was on air

Yep, people have had animals much longer than I have. They obviously knew heat would be a problem for her.

I've just ordered a dog cooling coat off Amazon.....and some spotty hygiene pants for when she comes in to season
They'll be here by the weekend.... so we are all set up for summer.

What will she look like...lol

Still as long as she is healthy, who cares