Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Had this little fellow for 5 months, he is 9 months now. Had him to the groomer 2 times I think, maybe 3 times for bath and trim. They did a "puppy cut", that is what they called it. Because of the snowy weather we have had to go out to the frequent bathrooming the last month. His coat has got so matted I think they will want to cut it off short. He is a totally inside dog except to go out with me on a leash. We live in a cold windy climate now. Will he get too cold? Opinions please.
Unless he's loaded full of mats that are totally unmanageable, you can fix this problem.
Go to a pet supply store, and ask someone (who is knowledgeable) to recommend a good brush and comb for your dog's type of hair and start grooming him every day, a bit at a time so he doesn't get sore or cranky. With this breed, you have to groom them all the time or they will get matted. Also get yourself a tiny pair of sharp scissors.
Just take it slow and gentle and make sure you get the mats out right down to the skin. Once in a while, especially under the ears or behind the elbows, I'll have to snip a few small mats off mine with a small pair of scissors. It's a lot easier on both of you instead of trying to brush them out in such a sensitive area.
Trim the matts. Then get a Slicker brush...be Gentle when you use it cause it Will scratch the skin.
Don't cut him too short in winter, its just too cold & windy. but you can have then trim & LEAVE about 1 inch. Since he is going from Warm indoors add a doggy coat as you go out the door take it off as you come back inside.
I live up in an often very cold area in the winter, and unless we are taking our toy-sized dogs on a walk or a snow machine ride, we have NEVER put a doggy coat on ours, and we have never had health issues with them.
For the few minutes they are outside to do their business, they are fine, even in -25F. The ONLY thing that bothers them is cold feet, and for the two-three minutes they are outside, I refuse to do all the fussing of getting them into booties.
The cold weather speeds up their process and they aren't apt to sniff and gawk around. They just do their business and hurry back to the door to be let in for their treat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Katie1 says, have the groomer leave his length of coat at one inch. Stay on top of it yourself, and groom him often with a good brush and comb to keep the mats from forming.
Had this little fellow for 5 months, he is 9 months now. Had him to the groomer 2 times I think, maybe 3 times for bath and trim. They did a "puppy cut", that is what they called it. Because of the snowy weather we have had to go out to the frequent bathrooming the last month. His coat has got so matted I think they will want to cut it off short. He is a totally inside dog except to go out with me on a leash. We live in a cold windy climate now. Will he get too cold? Opinions please.
He's probably snowballing in the snow. It is a nightmare with long-haired dogs. It often takes me 45 minutes to get all the ice and snow melted off my guy, get him shampooed and conditioned (don't try to comb them out beforehand) and blow-dried out. The snowballs cause horrible mats.
In general, you need to be combing your dog out every evening. When you do it nightly, it takes 2-3 minutes. A good detangler/condition, like "The Right Stuff", is very helpful after a bath. For taking him out in the snow, you can get a suit with legs from somewhere like K9 Top Coat or I think Hurta makes some as well. These are coveralls that completely cover the legs so you don't have to deal with snowballing.
If you've let him get really matted, then yes, you'll probably have to shave him down. He'll be fine. If it's just short potty trips outside, he won't freeze to death for the 5-10 minutes it takes him to do his business. If you're out longer with him, just put a coat on him. I put sweaters on my dogs at night, even when I don't put coats on for outside because I set my thermostat for 55 and I find they sleep more soundly when warm. I take them off first thing in the morning. Most dogs don't really need a coat outside unless they are sleek coated and not really active outside. But once you start "fooling with mother nature" by shaving off their coat, you have to start adding some protection back in the form of coats or sweaters.
He's probably snowballing in the snow. It is a nightmare with long-haired dogs. It often takes me 45 minutes to get all the ice and snow melted off my guy, get him shampooed and conditioned (don't try to comb them out beforehand) and blow-dried out. The snowballs cause horrible mats.
In general, you need to be combing your dog out every evening. When you do it nightly, it takes 2-3 minutes. A good detangler/condition, like "The Right Stuff", is very helpful after a bath. For taking him out in the snow, you can get a suit with legs from somewhere like K9 Top Coat or I think Hurta makes some as well. These are coveralls that completely cover the legs so you don't have to deal with snowballing.
If you've let him get really matted, then yes, you'll probably have to shave him down. He'll be fine. If it's just short potty trips outside, he won't freeze to death for the 5-10 minutes it takes him to do his business. If you're out longer with him, just put a coat on him. I put sweaters on my dogs at night, even when I don't put coats on for outside because I set my thermostat for 55 and I find they sleep more soundly when warm. I take them off first thing in the morning. Most dogs don't really need a coat outside unless they are sleek coated and not really active outside. But once you start "fooling with mother nature" by shaving off their coat, you have to start adding some protection back in the form of coats or sweaters.
You are exactly right on the "snowballing" and the horrible mats that it caused. It was/is a long story, but anyway, I took him to the groomer and told her I was OK with it if she cut his hair short and she did. The weather has moderated some here, about 30 in the am and 55 in the pm. Could be much worse and he is getting along fine. Right after Christmas we are supposed to get a cold wet rain, so I will put a sweater on him or coat. Anyway, I appreciate all the information.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
