My Finnish lapphund gets extremely hot in the summer.  I was thinking of cutting her fur short during hot weather to make her more comfortable.  Can cutting her fur short damage her coat in any way?

The double coat actually works as Insulation, therfby helping to keep the dog cool as well.  All dogs get Hot in summer as they cannot regulate their internal heat by sweating, and need to Pant.  Dogs should not be taken out in the heat of the day saving walks for Evening and early morning and allowing her to find shade and crash in the day.

are you sure she isn't overweight, that is more likely to make her uncomfortable.

Apart from the esthetics clipping the coat may ruin it's tecture for at least one growht cycle, as it will at first all grow back the same length and will take some time for the Outercoat to grow the corect length and be weatherproof.

Basically I am saying son't so it!!!!  A dog will carry a lighter coat in Summer than winter and in a Warmer climate.

My breed which is also a Northern one doesn't carry as heavy a coat as it soes inScandinavia, and the ones in Australia tend to have more of a summer coat all the year round.

I also own a double coated Spitz breed & agree with Brainless. I don't thiink the coat makes much difference - they just don't like hot weather & will naturally seek the coolest spot to pass away the hottest time of day.

This is an email I received from the original poster.  Makes me wonder why posters ask a question and then get upset over tha answer.  From the original post it is not apparent what level of expereince with dogs the poster has.

"As well as finding your answer to my question patronizing, obnoxious and it also wasn't very uninformative.  I am aware that a dog doesn't sweat, and it wasn't exactly shocking to hear that a dog sheds it's coat;  And no my dog is not over weight.

I live in Helsinki, where the Suomen Lappinkoira is a very popular dog.  During the summer I have noticed that many people clip the coats of there dogs. So, I can only assume that they  seem to think that it makes them more comfortable.  I don't care what my dog looks like, if a short coat keeps her cooler so be it.

So, Will clipping my lapphunds coat help keep her cool during the summer?

Tony Vallance.

PS.  Do you really think that someone becomes brainless if they ask for some information about their pet?  Often I'm amazed by how far some peoples heads go up their own arse,  when they know something that someone doesn't

Live and learn!!!"

Oh and Tony you seem to have gotten confused 'Brainless' is my chosen nickname on this and other boards and Web communities I frequent, precisely because I don't think I know it all. :D :D

My reply was simply my views on clipping a natural coated breed.  I feel rather strongly thaat it is unnecesary as they moult when the coat needs to become lighter with the seasons, unlik those breeds who do not moult, and therefore need clipping/trimming.

I am always confused by people who buy a dog with a faily heavy coat & then what to cut it all off to keep it cool in summer, especially with double coated breed were the coat keeps the dog cool in summer & the extra winter undercoat keeps them warm in winter Like people who have beardies can't cope with the coat so clip it off Amazing really

Generally the dog's coat is perfectly designed as insulation from both heat and cold. It naturally thins out in summer (different to becoming shorter) and thickens in winter. Interfering with this by clipping can indeed damage the coat and change its texture, sometimes irreparably. Rather than clipping it you would do better thinning out some of the undercoat, leaving the topcoat to protect the dog from the sun's rays.

Well presumably the OP found some information in your  reply as they said "wasn't very uninformative."  :D
Some people are so much on the defensive it's unbelievable! Why ask a question if you're not prepared to listen? Obviously, we should have said "Yes, go ahead and do it" - which they probably will anyway.
I would imagine Lapphunds are like my breed & naturally have less undercoat in the summer anyway.

I must lack in social skills as I upset a woman today.  She walked by with two little boys who shouted look Mum wolves.  Now I said no boys not Wolves, Norwegian Elkhounds, Wolves arte at least twice this size.

Well she said 'oi watch the attitude', I replied, 'not attitude, information' :D and she gave me a string of verbal abuse.  Seems some folk have a sense of humour bypass.

All those big words! She probably thought you were swearing at her!!   :D
You've heard of the "undead"  - we must be "the uncharmed" :D

How could your dare think her little precious was wrong.....:d
Nikki

Shame you didn't come to the Nordic it was a nice show with several of the years new exhibitors in attendance.

Pretty much 'bowed' out for the rest of the year I'm afraid.Got one more to do in a couple of weeks and then nothing till Manchester.I've campained the boys more this year than ever before and wanted to let them take some time out.
Frankie is still very much a handful and despite some reasonable placings at champ shows I think he needs some time mature and strengthen.
I also didn't want to over do it with Kas now hes started to enjoy the ring again.I am so pleased with the way he has matured in the last few months and think the best is yet to come so think I will be chosing my shows very carefully for him in the future.
Asa's the opposite...he loves the ring now and would show every week....but the break won't hurt him
See you next year!
Nikki

Thanks for the e mail Barbara.Nice to see there was a good turn out.
Nikki