Australian Shepherds are well known for being beautiful dogs with thick, puffy hair. Some owners really enjoy this about Aussies, while others are not too fond of it. Do you have an Australian Shepherd? If so, you may be wondering if it is possible to shave them all together and get rid of any fur problems. In this blog post, we explore the possibility of shaving your Australian Shepherd to keep them cool.
Can Australian Shepherds Be Shaved?
Yes, it’s technically possible to shave an Australian Shepherds coat, however, this is not recommended. Shaving your Australian Shepherd can cause otherwise preventable skin, coat, and health issues for your dog. There are better ways to keep your furry friend cool in warm climates or reduce shedding around the home.
Why Would You Want to Shave An Australian Shepherd?
Most people are inclined to shave their Australian shepherd to either keep them cool or to reduce the amount of fur on the floor from shedding.
Shedding
Australian Shepherds are well-known for their abundant shedding habits. If you shave your Aussie, Some Aussie owners think that shaving their furry friend will help reduce the amount of hair that is shed around your home. Although this may be true, it may take away from your Australian’s happiness.
Hot Weather
Another reason people shave their Australian Shepherds is to keep them cool in hot weather. If you live in a climate that gets very hot, you may be inclined to shave your Aussie to help them stay comfortable. although this seems like a good idea, it ends up doing more harm than good. The sad truth is that shaving will not cool them down. Their fur allows them to retain a cool layer of air around their body. If you remove the fur, you will remove their ability to retain the cooler layer around their body.
What It Looks Like To Shave Your Australian Shepherd
Although we do not recommend shaving your Australian Shepherd, we wanted to share a video showing what the process looks like and what a shaved Australian Shepherd looks like.
Should You Shave Your Australian Shepherd?
No. You never shave your Australian shepherd. Shaving an Aussie can have some seriously negative outcomes. Shaving your dog’s coat can stop or delay the shedding process and cause skin irritation and a number of additional health issues.
Impact On Your Aussie
Shaving your Australian shepherd would be a poor idea because it will generally have terrible consequences for your dog. When an Australian Shepherd is shaved, its natural oils and protection against mother nature are removed. This may include new problems for your Aussie such as skin irritation, getting sunburnt, and similar. Secondly, shaving their fur tends to yield a more negative impact on the fur’s overall health once grown back. Finally, when you shave an Aussie, both layers of fur typically form together into a single layer, which can cause grooming challenges down the line.
Realistic Alternatives to Shaving Your Australian Shepherd
Dealing With Excessive Shedding
If you’re dealing with excessive shedding, the good news is that there are solutions out there for you.
Consider A Robot Vacuum
If you have an Australian Shepherd, chances are your home is covered in hair. To help combat this, one solution is to get a robot vacuum. This will help reduce the amount of hair in your home and make it easier to keep up with the shedding.
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This Robotic Vacuum has great suction power and can run on a schedule.
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Get An Undercoat Rake
Another solution to reduce the amount of shedding in your home is to get an undercoat rake. This tool helps remove all the loose hair from your Aussie’s undercoat, which will then help lessen the amount of hair that is shed around your home.
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This undercoat Rake is great.
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Develop a Daily Grooming Routine
Developing a brushing technique is one of the most effective strategies to handle your Aussie’s shedding. This will aid in the removal of loose hair and the reduction of shed hair around your property. The Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) has a wonderful write-up about grooming tips.
Give Your Aussie Baths Frequently
giving your Aussie a bath can help reduce the amount he or she sheds. To minimize shedding while bathing, add more physical stimulation to your Aussie.
When it comes to giving your Aussie a bath, there are 3 main items we recommend.
#1) A High-Quality, Trustetd Shampoo
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#2) A Scrubby (to help massage in the shampoo)
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#3) Absorbent Doggy Towel
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Consider Supplements
Believe it or not, there are supplements out there that claim to reduce the amount of shedding your Australian Shepherd may do on a daily basis.
Consider a Trim (Not a Shave)
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If you’re really set on giving your Aussie a trim for the summer months, that’s okay! Just know that it’s important to not shave them completely. When trimming, avoid taking the scissors too close to the skin. This will help prevent any nicks or cuts, and will further help prevent sunburn and related.
Get A Cooling Jacket/Vest
There are a number of new products on the market today that can assist you with cooling your furry friend down. a popular product on the market is a cooling jacket (or vest). these cooling jackets work great by allowing you to store the jacket in the freezer and allowing your Aussie to wear the item when needed.
This Cooling Jacket is super popular & effective at cooling your dog.
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The other option here is to get a cooling mat, which works as well.
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Conclusion
You should not shave your Australian Shepherd to keep them cool or to help prevent shedding. Instead, explore some alternative solutions that will be less negative-impacting on your Australian Shepherd. Shaving your Australian Shepherd can cause problems to your furry friend’s coat, skin, and more.
FAQ
What Type of Hair Do Australian Shepherds Have?
Australian Shepherds have a double-coat. This means that Aussies have two types of hair- a top coat and an undercoat. The undercoat is the fluffy, soft hair that you see when you pet your dog. The topcoat is the harsher outer layer of hair.
Do All Aussies Shed?
Yes, all Australian Shepherds shed. You should try and keep up with the fur or it will get out of hand quite quickly.
Will Your Australian Shepherd’s Hair Grow Back if it is Shaved?
Yes, the hair will grow back, but it is very likely to have a different texture. You can take various measures to help your Australian Shepherd’s hair return to normal, but it may take up to a year or more for it to return to its previous condition.
Is There Ever A Reason To Shave An Australian Shepherd?
Yes, but only if there is medical reasoning or the fur on your Australian Shepherd is extremely matted.
