Thinking of Shaving Your Dog for Heat Relief? Careful—There's More to Know

When summer temperatures soar, it’s natural to want to do everything possible to keep your dog cool and comfortable. One of the most common questions groomers hear is:

“Should I shave my dog for the summer?”

At first glance, the answer seems obvious. If you’re hot in a winter coat, wouldn’t your dog feel cooler without all that fur?

Surprisingly, the answer is often no.

Whether shaving your dog is helpful or harmful depends entirely on the type of coat your dog has. Understanding the difference between coat types can help you make the best decision for your pet’s comfort, health, and long-term coat quality.

Why Your Dog’s Coat Matters

Not all dog coats work the same way.

Some dogs have natural coats that stop growing once they reach a certain length. Others have coats that continue growing throughout their lives unless they are trimmed.

This difference determines whether shaving is appropriate—or something you should avoid whenever possible.

Double-Coated Dogs: Nature’s Built-In Air Conditioner

Many popular breeds have what’s called a double coat, consisting of:

A soft insulating undercoat
A protective outer coat (guard hairs)

Together, these two layers help regulate your dog’s body temperature throughout the year.

In the winter, they provide insulation against the cold.

In the summer, they actually help keep your dog cooler by creating an insulating layer that slows heat transfer while protecting the skin from direct sunlight.

Some common double-coated breeds include:

Labrador Retrievers
Golden Retrievers
German Shepherds
Siberian Huskies
Border Collies
Australian Shepherds
Bernese Mountain Dogs
Shetland Sheepdogs
Akitas
Great Pyrenees

Although these dogs shed heavily in spring and early summer, their coats are specifically designed to adapt to warmer weather.

Instead of shaving them, the best way to help them stay cool is to:

Brush regularly to remove loose undercoat
Keep the coat clean
Remove mats before they tighten
Provide shade
Offer plenty of fresh water
Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day

A well-maintained double coat allows air to circulate much more effectively than a dirty, compacted coat.

Why Shaving a Double-Coated Dog Can Be Harmful

Shaving a natural-coated dog doesn’t simply remove hair—it interrupts the coat’s natural growth cycle.

Many owners don’t realize that once a double coat is shaved, it may not grow back the same way.

Possible problems include:

Patchy regrowth
Uneven texture
Cottony or fuzzy undercoat
Loss of protective guard hairs
Increased matting
Poor temperature regulation
Greater risk of sunburn

Some dogs recover completely after one shave, while others experience permanent coat damage known by groomers as coat funk or post-clipping alopecia, depending on the breed and underlying cause.

Because there’s no reliable way to predict how an individual dog’s coat will respond, professional groomers generally recommend not shaving healthy double-coated breeds.

Single-Coated Dogs Are Different

Some dogs have coats that continue growing throughout their lives.

These breeds require regular haircuts because their hair behaves much more like human hair.

Examples include:

Poodles
Goldendoodles
Labradoodles
Bernedoodles
Maltipoos
Cockapoos
Portuguese Water Dogs
Bichon Frises
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

For these breeds, shorter summer haircuts can be an excellent option.

A shorter coat:

Dries faster
Is easier to brush
Reduces matting
Makes daily maintenance easier
Helps owners monitor the skin

Notice we said short haircut, not necessarily shaved.

Whenever possible, leaving a small amount of coat provides important protection against sunlight and environmental exposure.

For many dogs, a blade leaving ¼ to ½ inch of coat offers an excellent balance between comfort and protection.

Does Short Hair Mean Less Heat?

Not always.

Dogs cool themselves primarily by:

Panting
Releasing heat through their paw pads
Blood vessel expansion around the ears and face

Their coat plays only part of the equation.

A dog with a short haircut can still become overheated if they:

Stay outside too long
Lack fresh water
Exercise during peak heat
Sit in direct sunlight
Remain inside a hot vehicle

No haircut can replace proper summer heat safety.

What If Your Dog Has to Be Shaved?

Sometimes shaving isn’t optional.

Professional groomers and veterinarians occasionally must shave dogs because of:

Severe matting
Surgery
Skin disease
Hot spots
Veterinary treatment
Injuries

If mats are tight against the skin, trying to brush them out can be extremely painful and may even tear the skin.

In these situations, shaving is often the kindest and safest choice.

The good news?

Hair usually grows back.

It simply needs a little extra protection while doing so.

Protecting a Shaved Dog

Without their natural coat, dogs become much more vulnerable to the environment.

Pay special attention to:

Sun Exposure

Freshly shaved skin burns much more easily.

Limit outdoor time during peak afternoon heat and seek shaded areas whenever possible.

Ask your veterinarian about a dog-safe sunscreen if your dog spends time outdoors.

Never use human sunscreen unless specifically directed by your veterinarian, as some ingredients can be toxic if licked.

Gentle Creatures Pet Sun Protector – Dog Sunscreen SPF 30+ Eq – Skin Moisturizing Vitamin E, Olive Oil – No Zinc Oxide Safe for Dogs and Cats – Dog Beach, Camping Accessories, Sunscreen for White Dogs

Hot Surfaces

Without insulating fur around the legs and feet, heat can feel much more intense.

Check pavement temperatures before walks.

If it’s too hot for your hand after seven seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.

Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Balm, Hot Pavement, Ice & Salt Protection, 454g | All-Natural Paw Balm, Lick-Safe & Non-Toxic Dog Paw Moisturizer for Dry, Cracked Paws, Dog Paw Wax with Vitamin E

Insect Bites

Mosquitoes and other insects can more easily reach exposed skin.

Avoid areas with heavy insect activity and consider protective clothing if recommended by your veterinarian.

Abrasions

Dogs that enjoy rolling in grass, hiking, or playing outdoors may experience more scratches on freshly exposed skin.

Watch for irritation and allow the coat time to regrow.

Helpful Products for Shaved Dogs

If your dog has been shaved, these products can make the recovery period much more comfortable:

Dog Sunscreen

Designed specifically for pets, sunscreen helps protect exposed skin from harmful UV rays.

Cooling Vest or Cooling Harness

These products use evaporative cooling to help regulate body temperature during outdoor activities.

Spark Paws Dog Cooling Vest – SPF 50 UV Sun Protection – Summer Heat Relief Gear for Dogs, Lightweight, Evaporative Cooling – Dog Anxiety Relief Vest During Hot Days

Cooling Mat

Perfect for indoor use, cooling mats provide a refreshing place to rest without requiring refrigeration or electricity.

Cooling Blanket

Cooling blankets offer lightweight comfort while helping dogs stay comfortable during warm weather.

UV-Protective Clothing

Specially designed shirts can protect shaved dogs from sunburn while still allowing airflow.

Portable Umbrella or Shade Tent

Creating instant shade can dramatically reduce your dog’s exposure to direct sunlight during walks, sporting events, or outdoor gatherings.

S/M/L Outdoor Raised Dog Cot with Canopy & Side Shade – Portable Cooling Elevated Dog Bed for Camping Beach (with Carry Bag)

Summer Heat Safety Tips

Regardless of your dog’s coat type, remember these simple summer safety rules:

Always provide fresh, cool drinking water.
Walk early in the morning or later in the evening.
Never leave your dog inside a parked vehicle.
Brush regularly to remove loose hair and prevent matting.
Keep dogs in shaded or air-conditioned areas whenever possible.
Watch closely for signs of overheating, including excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, or collapse.

Final Thoughts

To review, when it comes to summer grooming, every dog is different.

For double-coated breeds, the healthiest approach is usually to preserve the natural coat while keeping it clean, brushed, and free of mats. Their coat is already doing an excellent job of regulating temperature and protecting the skin.

For single-coated breeds and breeds with a light undercoat, like Poodles and many Doodle mixes, a shorter haircut can make summer grooming much easier—but even then, shaving isn’t always necessary. Leaving a protective layer of hair helps shield the skin from the sun and other environmental hazards.

If your dog ever needs to be shaved for medical reasons or severe matting, don’t worry. With a little extra care, sun protection, and patience, the coat will usually grow back beautifully.

The best summer grooming isn’t about removing as much hair as possible—it’s about understanding your dog’s unique coat and working with nature instead of against it. Happy Grooming!

#petgroomingpost

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