“STEP AWAY FROM THE CLIPPERS!”

Adonis Maglis
5 days ago
2 min read

A summer grooming story every double-coat parent needs to hear…

Every year when the weather heats up, I see the same thing happen. A well-meaning owner wants to help their dog stay cool… and the clippers come out.

Let me tell you what actually happens, through a few real-life grooming table stories.

Case #1: The Corgi Who Overheated…

This little guy came in shaved short after a hot spell. His owner thought less hair = less heat. A few weeks later? Patchy regrowth, pink sunburned skin, and he was panting constantly—even indoors. Why? His undercoat, which normally insulates against heat, was gone. Once we started regular line-combing to remove dead coat instead of shaving, his comfort (and coat!) slowly improved.

Case #2: The Sheltie With “Wooly Coat” …

This sheltie had been clipped down two summers in a row. His coat grew back thick, dull, and uneven—classic coat damage. The guard hairs never fully recovered, and his undercoat just kept compacting. We switched to proper brushing, deshedding, and patience. It took months, but his coat finally started functioning the way nature intended.

Case #3: The Pomeranian Who Lost Sun Protection…

After a close clip, this pom’s skin became sensitive and prone to redness. Without those guard hairs, his skin had no defense against UV rays. Sunburn + heat sensitivity = a very uncomfortable dog. Now? Regular line combing, undercoat removal, and zero clippers. He’s cooler, happier, and fluffier (the healthy way).

Case #4: The Japanese Spitz Who Shed Less After Brushing…

This one surprises people. Once we stopped shaving and focused on thorough line combing—slowly, down to the skin—the shedding actually decreased at home. Removing dead undercoat lets air circulate and helps the coat regulate temperature naturally.

The Groomer Truth

Double coats aren’t a mistake of nature—they’re a built-in climate control system.

Warm in winter

Cool in summer

Shaving breaks that system

What to do instead:

Grab a metal comb and line comb your dog slowly, section by section, down to the skin. You’re removing dead undercoat, not protection.

Your dog doesn’t need less hair.

They need the right hair, cared for the right way

— A groomer who sees this every summer