Shave my eskie down for the summer or not?

I get that there are people on both sides of this issue but I would just like to get your opinions. I'm getting a pretty decent sized adult Standard Eskie and he has this huge fluffy coat. I understand Eskies prefer cold weather and I also know that although dogs aren't too sensitive to warm temperatures, that huge insulating coat might be bad for the hot months. So yes or no?

And if yes, around when should I do it (take him to the groomers)? Because I want it to be after the weather gets much warmer (it was 1C today!!!) but not too late that it won't grow back by the time it gets cold again.

I wouldnt recommend shaving the dog down, the big thick coat actually acts like insulation. I had shaved my Border Collie down one summer and ended up with dry skin and more heat sensitivity issues from it, I wont be doing it again thats for sure.

I was told that shaving big furred dogs in the summer actually made the heat worse.

Not only does their coat act as insulation but by shaving a dog you are also removing their natural ability to protect themselves from bug bites;)

Also, with a double coated breed liek an eskie, Once shaved down, the coat may never come back in correctly ever again.

okies, thanks guys!!! will put up pics when I get him on friday - tomorrow's gonna be a big shopping day. The foster home has been feeding him Iams since that's what has been donated to them - so my first order of business is to try and change that.

good luck with your new dog!! remember to change the food slowly! She?He? (sorry) will be going through so many changes...
Congrats!

Congratulations on your new family member! We have another Eskie owner on board.

Shaving down an eskie can lead to sun burns as well. Their hair protects them from the suns rays. I have an eskie that lives in my neighbourhood. She is beautiful and had a full, beautiful white coat. Last summer the owners decided to shave her down. I saw pink skin, I didn't even recognize her at first! Anyway, a whole winter has passed and now we are into the spring, I saw the eskie a little while ago and her hair has not grown in the same. It is not as full as it was before the shave down. It may never be the same or will take quite a while to become as full as before.

I can't wait to see the pictures!

I understand Eskies prefer cold weather and I also know that although dogs aren't too sensitive to warm temperatures,

OH but they are! Actually most dogs are quite intolerant of heat and do much better in cool weather. Dogs have a very inefficient cooling system and are easily overheated.

My last dog had a huge furry coat. I didn't want to shave him for the reasons mentioned here, but I did thin his coat out a LOT by bathing him and brushing him out while the fur was wet. People who show their dogs avoid brushing them while wet because they do lose so much coat.

He really seemed to appreciate this and it did help but even so, in the summer I could only walk him after the sun went down.

I had to shave my Samoyed down one year because she thought she could catch ducks and ended up matted beyond help from being in and out of the lake. Even the wind was hard on her delicate pink skin. THe fur is their best defense against so many things that we dont' take into consideration.

If anything... watch your dog for digging.... when my dog is too hot she digs til she finds cold dirt and lays there to stay comfy. Now I jsut take her to a groomer and have them drag all the heavy undercoat out that they can during her molting time. Last time took them 6 hours... she's got quite the winter coat every year!

PS... she was the craziest looking dog when she was shaved.... I'd never do it again.

I did thin his coat out a LOT by bathing him and brushing him out while the fur was wet.

I did this as well. Last summer was our first with Bailey (BMD) who absolutely HATES the heat. We have A/C but managed fine just having him well groomed regularily and walking him early in the morning and late in the evening.

As long as you take the proper measures I don't think it's necessary to have him shaved.

Please do not shave your Eskie. I have a 2 year old Eskimo (and also live in Toronto) - big 2 was on April 1. The undercoat helps insulate against the summer heat - and if you do shave your Eskie the undercoat will never really grow back the same way. Grooming wise, if you have you pup done professionally, you should only have to have it done every 3 - 4 months or so as the fur stops growing, but if your pup does not blow his coat, then you will most likely need to have grooming done a bit more frequently. I know this because my pup has never blown his coat - we get tumbleweeds of course - but on the Eskie site I read about people with bags of Eskie fur - has happened with our guy - groomer agrees. Eskies are also sensitive to corn - I know that corn is not a popular ingredient - but that issue totally aside - Eskies are sensitive to corn. My Dachshunds were not. My guy does best on a Salmon A La Veg kibble. They can also be sensitive to wheat - although my guy not particularly so - but still I buy him low fat wheat free cookies so that he can have his wheat "fix" with a bit of his beloved bread. Keeping your pup clean will be a nightmare - Eskies love the mud and rain and will hit every puddle in town - also is a major Hoover on the street - watch out for everything - especially paper items - with used tissues being a special favourite. Eskies are very food driven. We have had Dachshunds and a Beagle - our Eskie's food drive is the same as was our Beagle's. He also has a slow metabolism - I feared this when we went for his 2 year physical - he has to lose 4 lbs. 2 oz. to bring him back to perfect weight of 22 lbs. He is a small standard boy who looks like a girl - with the jaw and tooth strength of a Rotti - note that Eskie's have very strong teeth so unlike you will win in tug of war. If you have a cat, your Eskimo will love the cat, but Eskies play rough - my cat weighs the same as the dog so even that way. Eskies also love to help clean out the cat litter. My guy is at his socialization - goes once a week and gets a run in the ravine - he is probably going nuts because socialization is held at his groomer's which is behind his vet's and there are cookie jars everywhere - plus we buy his food there so he will be seeing the bags - and he is a serious Cookie Monster. I also recommend that you use a harness on your Eskie as they are serious pullers. I really like the brand I buy which is produced by Canine Equipment - as it is easy to get on and he can't get out of it and looks like a little bib - more pathetic as he begs for cookies on the street. Hope all goes well with your Eskie. How old, name, weight etc. Details! Katy82 has an Eskie as well - a female named Phil who is a little younger than my guy. She lives in London, Ontario. I look forward to your Eskie tales - and trust me, you will have them.

I wouldn't shave your eskie down if I were you. Just keep an eye on him during the hot weather to make sure he doesn't get overheated. This picture is how Phil stays cool in the hot summer...LOL

Don't forget to get post pictures when you get him! I'd love to see more eskie pictures.

He's five, male and quite the puller. I went to see him yesterday with my father (not a dog person, slightly afraid imo) and he's incredibly happy and friendly. Kept on jumping on the foster guy and my dad (I will have to kerb th random jumping but its nice to know he's happy).

And is he ever a puller. He's incredibly inquisitive. I was walking him on a road and he'd pull to one side, and then the other, constantly sniffing. And when he met a cat he sniffed him a little and then completely ignored the kitty (who was quite scared actually). So anyways, no shaving, extra brushing should be okay. And I'll be very careful about the sun - the park is really forested though so it shouldn't be too bad if there's a good breeze, otherwise it'll be mornings and nights.

I'm in love, I'm entranced :D Even when he did the "omg it smells gross -must roll in it!!!" thing I thought it was adorable.

Sounds just like my Phil who is a year and a half. I'm a big eskie lover now. I can't get enough. Hopefully he's not a food stealer like Phil too!

katy - Eskies are food stealers, no doubt about it - and their little hand like paws are perfect scoops - hopefully Phil won't have to go on a diet. This is only day 2 for Elmo and it is really pitiful. I agree with watching re overheating - particularly if this summer is like last - we had only one scare - actually I couldn't breathe myself so came right back in. El gets sunblock on his nose - he has his own person tube.

Invest in a grooming tool called a rake, this will get undercoat out and your eskie will still maintain his handsome looks but without all the extra insulation. You will probably notice he'll begin shedding clumps of soft cottony fur long after you'd expect him to (around end of June) and once they start shedding they seem to do it all at once. After the initial mass loss of coat then a bi-weekly comb-out will keep him cool and comfortale in the summer heat.

would you prefer a rake over a slicker brush?

A rake will get right down to the skin and loosen/strip the undercoat while a slicker will only do surface hair although they are good for the fine hair around his ears and privates. A good pin brush and plain metal comb will keep his tail, his behind, legs and skirt mat free and thinned out. My poms also have the double coats and I often think they're going to hold off on moulting until Sept. and then all at once they all let go after panting for weeks and they look and feel great (atleast 2-3 lbs. lighter) after the grooming. Take a before and after pic and you'll be amazed at the difference in appearance. I have a friend who collects the undercoats from some of my doggy customers and spins it into hats, sweaters, etc. beautifully soft and warm.