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Location: Virtual Showground
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,518
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Originally Posted by
Borderdawn
Why do people say they are too hot in the summer?
Because for some dogs that is the case
By removing all the protective coat, you are exposing his skin to the sun, making it a lot worse, thats why people cover up in the sun, they burn otherwise.
And for some dogs they are just plain uncomfortable with lots of coat, including a white one of mine who really suffers in hot weather - until his coat is clipped off all over - and yes, extreme care taken to not let him be out in the sun at the hottest time of day and yes making use of sunscreen for dogs
I know a Vet friend of mine despairs when she sees these chopped off dogs,
My vets have always preferred to give advice of how to make sure clipped dogs are kept safe from sun and heat exposure, its more productive than just despairing
and people also think wetting dogs in the heat of the sun actually cools them down! when in acual fact the water just bakes on the hot skin surface. Immersing dogs in water will cool them but not just putting a wet towel or a drop of water on an already hot surface.
Wet Coats are brilliant, the ones I have for Defa and Fluke are double layer fleece, which when soaked keep nice and damp and cool underneath regardless of the water evaporating off the top outer layer.
They do need to be regularly checked for topping up of course. In the hottest weather the ones I use tend to need a top up, [ fresh soak ], every three to four hours, [ that`s when at a Show so out and about all day ].
I agree with you on a soaked towel not being ideal because of evaporation, they are single layer and usually too loosely woven to be of any real benefit even if doubled over, thats why a double fleece wet coat is much better. If using a towel or t-shirt, they have to be pretty constantly soaked or will backfire by water evaporating too quickly as you rightly point out.
People often forget as well that when soaking a dog to keep them cool, whether paddling pool or river etc, they must`nt be allowed to then run around in the sun as they will dry too fast and temp will increase.
A soaked dog should be taken to somewhere shaded with a good breeze, [ or use a magazine or whatever as a fan ], or a cold air fan used to ensure they don`t dry out too fast - putting a soaked dog straight in the car without using a fan will make the dogs temp shoot right up for instance, just the cool fan of the vehicle itself is`nt enough, they would need something like a powerful crate suspended fan or better still , [ if at home ], a hair drier on cold air setting.
I agree with you about neutering, its a big downfall in males and some females, but "thinning" although better, is quite difficult, as when you cut into a layer, it leaves holes in the coat. I hope you find the best solution, but my advice would be to leave as was intended.
Ah but
if sooo affected by neuter then the coat presumably isn`t as nature intended so may need intervention to thin it back to more natural state