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Summer is approaching. We've been told never shave a chow as their hair may not grow back. The 2 summers we had Pivo, chow possibly mixed, we shaved him in May and again in July/Aug. When his fur did grow back in it was very soft and shiny. Not fluffy and rough like Bruno's is. We know Bruno is a pure bred and we are apprehensive about cutting his fur. Pivo needed to be done when we got him as he was completly matted to his skin. When his fur grew back the first time we figured it was not a problem. Is there any truth, or can someone explain, to the information saying you should not shave a chow and why? I can't imagine him enjoying life in a climate his fur is not made for.
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

Chow folks are adamant about not shaving their coats. Says it insulates them..

I say, do whatever you want. In humid areas, that insulation can result in retained moisture and hot spots.

Ideally, DON'T shave, groom at least 2 to 3 times a week. Great coat, no problems. If you can't then doing a lion cut works fine.

Hair comes back the same as it would have. People cut puppies and think the hair grows back different, but really its just that they are going into their adult coat.
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Debra
ebraDownSth@aol.com" target="_blank">DebraDownSth@aol.com
Blessed Are The Flexible For They
Shall Not Be Bent Out of Shape.]

>>Summer is approaching. We've been told never shave a chow as their hair may not grow back. The 2 summers we had Pivo, chow possibly mixed, we shaved him in May and again in July/Aug. When his fur did grow back in it was very soft and shiny. Not fluffy and rough like Bruno's is. We know Bruno is a pure bred and we are apprehensive about cutting his fur. Pivo needed to be done when we got him as he was completly matted to his skin. When his fur grew back the first time we figured it was not a problem. Is there any truth, or can someone explain, to the information saying you should not shave a chow and why? I can't imagine him enjoying life in a climate his fur is not made for.
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>>DZ
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>>"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

>>>>>>>>>>>

Keep the dog free of tangles in the coat, fleas and ticks. There is wrinkled skin under that coat, and any of these things will predispose the dog to skin problems that will cause true suffering. If having him clipped helps, then that's what you need to do. Combing him frequently, clipped or not, will help his attitude as well as his health.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

It has always been my recommendation to never shave a dog. There are many other ways to keep a dog cool and more and more products are being sold just for that purpose. The coat actually insulates and protects the dogs skin from the suns ultraviolet rays. A dogs skin is very sensitive and without that protection the risk for sunburn and other problems are greatly enhanced. It can only take a matter of minutes for the dog to get burned. In the case of Pivo...this is the exception. Matted and tangled fur can also lead to skin problems and make the dog very uncomfortable.
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Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
PHMax
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