Does Your Dog Need a Summer Haircut?

One of the first things people do when the weather gets hotter is to start shedding some clothing.
After all, who wants to wear a heavy winter coat on a 100° day? So many pet owners feel that their dogs should get a summer haircut because surely they must be hot in their heavy fur coats. Are they right or wrong? Both. As with so many things related to dogs, there is no one answer that's right for every dog.Dogs’ Fur Coats are Versatile
Overall, dogs are engineered pretty well. Their fur coats are no exception. As a general rule, if a dog is regularly groomed, her fur will keep her comfortably warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Many breeds of dogs are double-coated. They have a downy undercoat that works to keep them warm in the winter. They shed that coat in the summer. If that undercoat is brushed out and their longer outer coat is kept clean and free from mats, the bouncy movement of the outer coat cools the skin, keeping the dog cool. Mats in the fur or a dirty coat are a different story, though. Both can hold moisture which can cause skin irritation, hot spots, and other skin issues. Dogs' coats should be kept free of mats and kept clean.