Many Chow Chow owners do not know how to care for their pets properly. Each dog breed is different, requiring varying degrees of care and maintenance. Chow chows are characterized by unique physical appearances, with their thick fur being the most distinct feature.
Due to its large double-coated fur, many owners believe that giving it regular shaves, especially in the warmer months, is necessary; however, this article will discuss how this view is far from the truth.
Table of Contents
Can Chow Chows Be Shaved?
Chow chows should not be shaved unless it is a vet’s recommendation. Double coats act as an insulator in both summer and winter, respectively.
Why Shouldn’t You Shave Your Chow Chow?
You should not shave your Chow Chow unless a vet recommends it or there is a medical condition such as a skin infection. Double coats are designed to keep dogs cool and warm in winter.
Shaving the double coat does not keep your Chow Chow cooler but instead may lead to overheating and sunburn. This is because there are harmful UV rays that come into contact with the sensitive skin that is shielded by the double coat.
Shaving also leads to unleveled and irregular fur growth that is hard and not soft as previously. The best grooming methods for such coats are undercoat rakes and wire combs to remove extra dense areas. Grooming should be done regularly, at least once weekly, to reduce time and workload.
When Is It Ok To Shave Your Chow Chow?
Severe Matting & Neglect
Shaving may be the last resort if there is severe matting from neglect. Consult a professional groomer to assess the likelihood of getting through the matted double coat using special tools. Sometimes the neglect and matting are so severe that your Chow Chow experiences intense pain when being brushed, and in such a case, the groomer will have to shave their coat.
Shaving Your Chow Chow To Look Like A Lion
The lion look is a popular grooming style for Chow chow owners. Severe matting of dirt can occur in dogs with thick coats, causing owners who do not have time to groom regularly to opt for the quick “lion shave”. The style poses severe consequences for your Chow Chow’s skin and health, so consulting a professional groomer or vet is essential.
Having Health Problems
Trimming a double coat is time and energy-consuming. Shaving your Chow chow could be the best alternative if they are mature and cannot stand throughout the shaving because of arthritis or other medical conditions that make grooming painful.
After being shaved, ensure that your Chow Chow is kept inside or out of extreme elements to protect their skin from sunburn or overheating.
Certain Parts Of Your Chow Chow Can Be Shaved
Shaving your Chow Chow’s entire body is not advised; however, some areas need to be shaved for optimal well-being.
In between pads: This prevents hair from matting caused by continuous walking.
Groin: shaved to increase sanitary and hygiene to prevent infections.
Anus: This area should be trimmed instead of shaved to prevent feces from getting stuck in the hair.
Will, Your Chow Chow’s Hair, Grow Back If It Is Shaved?
Your Chow Chow’s hair will eventually grow back after being shaved; however, it might take some time. It is essential to keep their coat well-groomed by regularly brushing off dead hair after shaving. Their coats act as natural insulators by trapping cool and warm air from escaping the body; this process is diminished if there is matted or dead hair. Grooming can be done once per week.
Depending on how short their coat was shaved, there is a possibility that it may not grow back to its original length or texture respectively. Your Chow Chow may risk developing “shave shock” if their undercoat is shaved too much.
When this happens, the top coat usually grows back; however, the hair in the undercoat may regrow much more coarse, thicker, change colors, not grow back to its original length or be a combination of all three scenarios.
Is It Safe To Shave A Chow-Chow For The Summer?
Avoid shaving your Chow chow’s double coat because their skin is susceptible and devoid of pigmentation. This means that losing their undercoat may make their outer coat inefficient.
The best way to groom their thick coats in summer is to trim them carefully. After cutting more or less 6 inches, opt for brushing and combing to remove the shredded undercoat and keep out dirt and oils to allow better airflow to the skin that is usually trapped by the long outer coat.
Do not expose them to high temperatures after being groomed. Take walks in the early mornings or later evenings when the temperature is much more relaxed, give them access to water, recognize the signs of overheating and take immediate action to ensure they remain comfortable in summer. Unlike humans, dogs do not have sweat glands, so exposing their bare skin to high summer heat may lead to harmful skin and health issues.
How Often Should Chow Chows Get Groomed?
How often one should groom their Chow Chow depends on their dogs; however, once or twice a week should be sufficient for Chow Chows. Coat types, lengths, and activities contribute to the different grooming requirements. Short-coated dogs will require less grooming and brushing than their medium to long-coated counterparts because their hair is less susceptible to tangling, matting, and trapped dirt.
Chow chows have thick double coats, exposing them to all the conditions above. Keep an eye on the condition of your Chow Chow coat. Ensure you search for tangles, matting, or dullness and groom it. The grooming process can be tedious and time-consuming depending on their coat length, so the longer you delay brushing and grooming, the more hours you will consume to groom and brush your Chow-Chow.
FAQ
Can Chow Chows Get Haircuts?
Chow chows can get haircuts; however, this should only be done in extreme circumstances. Either they have an underlying medical condition that makes grooming tedious, or it was a vet’s recommendation to remove matting.
Is Chow Chow Double Coat?
Yes, Chow Chows have a thick double coat. They were bred to withstand extreme temperatures, and their double coats act as natural insulators to trap heat and cold to warm and cool them in winter or summer, respectively.
What Can I Do With Matted Chow Chow?
Take them to the vet immediately. They will assess the severity and recommend you to a groomer that will use special tools to remove matted coats that make grooming and brushing tedious for you and painful for your Chow Chow.
How Long Does It Take For A Chows Hair To Grow Back?
The time it takes for their hair to grow back depends on how short you shaved it. Hair should take more or less a month on average however it may not grow back to its original length or not grow at all in the case of shave shock.
How Do Chow Chows Stay Cool In The Summer?
Chow Chows have a natural insulator that helps them stay cool in the summer. Their double coat traps moisture instead of letting it escape, and this process ensures that their skin has water which lowers the body temperature and prevents overheating.
Can You Cut Chow Chow Hair Short?
Cutting your Chow Chow’s hair short is not recommended as it may pose health risks. Double-coated dogs tend to have less pigmentation on their skin, so exposure to the sun may lead to overheating or skin disease.
Can A Chow Mix Be Shaved?
Shaving any breed of Chow Chow is not recommended unless it is dire. The only circumstances your Chow Chow should be shaved in are to remove matted coats, reduce the length of grooming time for matured dogs who cannot stand, or remove overgrowth in specific areas.
Conclusion
Chows have an elegant thick double coat that makes them easily recognizable. The primary purpose of this dense coat is to provide insulation from heat and cold. Thus, shaving cost is not recommended because it may expose them to overheating and skin diseases like skin cancer.
Chow Chows will need special grooming either recommended by a vet or because they are in dire need of a shave to eliminate things like matting which may cause the grooming and brushing process to be painful. Although you may want to help them keep cool on hotter days, do not shave their fur unless otherwise advised by your veterinarian.
