To shave or not to shave?

I am so torn.... My cardi, Nimh, is a very much fluffy fluffy. He is miserable in the humid hot summers and he's already not enjoying being outside and chasing the frisbee as he normally does. He's got plenty of access to water and has a pond and a river to swim in. He's brushed regularly. He's 5 years old and in very good health (no heart stuff, not overweight, etc). I gave him a kind of a lion cut last year when he seemed uncomfortable with the heat and he seemed to really enjoy it....ran around, had a lot more energy, all that stuff. But I've read quite alot about folks saying it's bad to do that and that the thick undercoat (his is VERY thick) keeps them cool and all that. But he's just so uncomfortable!!!! And he felt so much better (he seemed to, anyway) without all the fluff. I'm leaning towards giving him a cut again. I hate seeing him miserable and he loves so much to play. I attached of his last cut (I'm not groomer, that'll be apparent!, but he seemed happier and much livelier).

Another reason I'm asking everyone is that a friend of mine has a very fluffy chow mix that annually regulary given a summer cut to, but after the last time last year, her hair didn't grow back for over 6 months, and when it did, some areas were still left only sparsly haired (haunches and tail). Has anyone had experiences with this?

Folks are so helpful on this site and it's very much appreciated. I love this site.

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Permalink Reply by LaRissa L. Head on May 22, 2011 at 9:19am

I have

my fluffy trimmed at petsmart during the summer. just two cuts a year. The woman that I always request told me she does a "golden retriever cut". Basically Trims the "butt curtains" down to a nice manageable length (we go camping and the twigs and river make her hair mat without this trim), a sanitary trim, shortens the stomach and chest fur so it doesn't drag in the undergrowth, and cleans the feet and ears.

One time my groomer was on vacation and Roslyn needed a trim badly (weeklong backpacking/camping trip in canada), So we just went with a random girl. Big mistake. she cut Roslyn down so her fur was as short as a normal corgi, well most fluffy owners know the coats are vastly different, fluffies actually have far less fur, so without the protection of her layers, she over heated twice as fast in the sun! I also had to apply major sunblock to her bacause she was turning pink!
I was so concerned for her, that we talked several times about taking her to an emergency vet (although I am not sure how we would have found one), and carried her several times just so she could relax a bit. Poor little girl! We got her checked out when we got home and the vet confirmed that she just didn't have enough protection from the sun. She did teach us a nifty trick about putting her feet in cold water and pressing water bottles up to her ears. It may only be a momentary relief but it can be enough to save her from heat exhausion.
Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Ellen Andersen on May 22, 2011 at 4:00pm

Don't worry, everyone. Because of all your heartfelt and good advice I'm not going to give Nimh a shave this year. Besides, I'd probably get booted off MyCorgi.com! LOL...Teasing! ....I mean, about getting booted off, not about shaving.