I heard that shaving your Chow dog's hair can result in a...

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Answer by Merlin
Submitted on 7/19/2003
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I currently live in Canada, but used to live in Florida. At the time had two Chows. I noticed a remarkable improvement in their general physical appearance, temperament and general conditioning the moment I arrived in Canada. Why? The weather.... I still marvel at how they can deal with the coldest and harshest of cold temperatures. While living in Florida, I have shaved a chow once, thinking that it would help in hot weather. My chow did develop skin disorders, and frankly from what I am told regarding the breed, the coat also acts as insulation against the heat too. The fact remains, that the Chow Chow is a Northern breed, bred for Northern climes, so I think that most Chow owners living in warm areas will always have the controversy of what to do with their Chow during heat spells and general warm weather. If I ever move back to Florida, I'll be taking my Chows with me, but I will say, that they are far better off physically in a climate more suited to their breeding. Merlin's Mom My website: http://polonews.com/merlin/

Answer by shadow
Submitted on 3/18/2004
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chow's love the cool weather. but if you live in a hot climate; like i do. i've conditioned my chow chow to sleep during the day; while i'm at work. with the a/c blowing full blast. in the evening he's ready for my company; playtime, loving, etc. than he goes to work in his fenced in yard, on patrol for the night. when he get's sleepy, he comes in threw his doggy door; and it's back to work for me after breakfast. he is so beautifull and never has a problem with his coat. the only problem i have is high power bills! but my chow chow is worth it! wintertime it's very mild. rarely get's freezing temp's. don't have to use heat. if i do, out the doggy door he goes, and will sleep on the cool step right outside the door. close enough to hear or watch me. he has to know my whereabout's! my vet say's he's a very happy chow chow. call's him his puffy fluffy friend. but alway's use a shampoo recamended by your vet, and a good diet of dry food. but never ever shave your chow. their not meant to be that way. you can do more harm then good to their skin and coats. just pamper them if you live in a warm climate, thats all it takes! plus lots of love.

Answer by Teres
Submitted on 6/22/2004
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My Chow loves the outside and she lives in Phoenix, AZ. In the winter months she spends all her time out. The summer is different, early mornings and late evening nights. Most of the time its is hard to get her in and we have to shake the dog biscuit box and then she comes a running. She is smart but stubborn. She has picked up the personality of another dog we have and has learned from her. Our chow can be cuddly and off. She loves our friends and loves the attention. After she gets what she want, she trots off and does her thing. WE have uneven shedding. This last time she had sores on her from itching too much and then I noticed a blister like infection. Used an antibiotic cream and it went away in a week

Answer by Teres
Submitted on 6/22/2004
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My Chow loves the outside and she lives in Phoenix, AZ. In the winter months she spends all her time out. The summer is different, early mornings and late evening nights. Most of the time its is hard to get her in and we have to shake the dog biscuit box and then she comes a running. She is smart but stubborn. She has picked up the personality of another dog we have and has learned from her. Our chow can be cuddly and off. She loves our friends and loves the attention. After she gets what she want, she trots off and does her thing. WE have uneven shedding. This last time she had sores on her from itching too much and then I noticed a blister like infection. Used an antibiotic cream and it went away in a week

Answer by lawless_rip
Submitted on 9/8/2004
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I am studying to be an animal control officer. I am currently fostering a black, female chow. I have been around many variations of dog breeds all my life. This is the first chow I have ever gotten to know. What a sweet heart. They are a TOTALLY UNIQUE breed. I must say - I am in love !! Where do you live??(the person with the chow & itchy feet) I live in South Western Colorado. Many dogs around here like & bite at their paws OFTEN in the warmer months. The vets just say it's typical allergies they get from walking in the wild grasses & fields. I do not know of any ointments they use for this though; but could probably find out if you'd like. I would like ideas on how in the world to improve the chow's coat appearance. This dog's (Shyann) coat seems so dull. If I add some meat to her dog food would that help her coat appear maybe not so dull ??? (heard of people adding hamburger to their dog's diet and improving coat appearance) thanks - later, Linda

Answer by walljoy
Submitted on 7/1/2005
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I am extremely upset right now and will not sleep most of this night. I happily shaved my 2 year old Pomeranian a few hours ago, finally, thinking that it would help relieve her suffering from the heat and humidity. I was doing pretty good with the shaving and then for some stupid reason decided to shave really close on her back. She only got one nick, which I discovered after her bath tonight, and I treated it with peroxide. Overall, she looks very cute, I was surprised, and I think she looks more like a little lamb now. I went online to investigate shaving pomeranians and very few had good things to say about it. Some said, like I figured as common sense, that the hair simply grows back over time. Some said it doesn't grow back or grows back funny. I wonder if she has clipper burn in that spot and now she will have a permanent bald spot! I also think her skin is sensitive and a bit chaffed so I have to get some lotion tomorrow with aloe vera for her. My sister-in-law told me that her mother used to shave her dog all the time and then bring him out in the sun. The dog developed a rash which turned into skin cancer...he died one year later! Upon my mother's suggestion, I plan on putting little t-shirts on my Pomeranian when we have to go out during the day. I was kind of hoping this shave would force me to go out for our run/walks more in the evening because I have been in the sun far too much lately and am experiencing facial sunburns, which are very damaging. Please tell me I did the right thing and my little baby's hair will grow back in normal. Her hair is her trademark and I don't want to regret what I did to her last night for the rest of my life. I will never do that again. I truly cried so very hard this evening about what I did to her...the whole time I was crying, she was licking away my tears.

Answer by cedric
Submitted on 8/17/2005
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hi, i have a chow n an american eskimo. both of which scratch a lot. they are both house dogs. what i was thinkin is that they are allergic to fleas. fleas themselves dont cause an allergic reaction, their saliva does. for dogs that are accustomed to living indoors and rarely come into contact with fleas usually are most vulnerable. now, what ive begun doin now, is ive chilled out on takin so many flea baths, yard treatements and frontline and etc. ive noticed that if you dont bathe them and let them be natural for a minute-meaning let them have a few fleas. after a few weeks, they built up a resistance to em. i was so happy. my eskimo had patches everywhere now she is full coat n beautiful again.

Answer by Shelly
Submitted on 10/15/2005
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I just wanted to share with you the skin problems that I was having with my Chow, Koko. Koko is a blue 6 year Chow that I adopted from the SPCA as a puppy. For as long as I remember she's always had skin problems. Hot spots, flea allergies, seborrhea, hair loss... I've learned alot over the years and here's some tips that might work for you. - Use Frontline/Advantage to get rid of fleas - Use Omega Fatty acids with Zinc in food - Use Benadryl pills, one in the morning and one at night until allergy goes away (usually about a couple of weeks) - Use Lamb or Chicken food and treats. Make sure that beef or meat by-products is not an ingredient in any of your dog's food and treats. This ended up being what Koko's problem was. - Test for Hypothyroid. This can cause skin problems. Koko took this test and it was negative. The vet then suggested removing Beef from her diet.

Answer by Kelly in South Texas
Submitted on 4/3/2006
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Thought I'd post about the hot spots and itching. My Chow (16 years old this month) had the same problem. Turns out he was allergic to corn. I have always fed him high end dog food and think that is why he's lived so long and is still healthy (slower now, but healthy). A age 9 he started getting these gross skin sores and falling out hair in the weepy sore spots, after trying meds and after repeated antibiotics (after which the sores always came back), a visiting vet suggested food allergy and probably corn. Changed to a different food (Nature's Recipe Senior) without corn and the sores when away within 2 weeks. If I forget his food when I board him and they feed him the kennel house food, the sores come back.. Skin problems are definitely a food allergy in my chow chow. As for shaving... I do the 1 inch lion cut in the summer too. Leaving enough hair to thermoregulate and keep him from sunburn. Plus he loves to lay in a kiddie pool of water I keep for him. I started the the shaving routine becuase his coat is a magnet for spear grass... nasty stuff that spear grass. But he seemed to do a lot better that summer after I trimmed his coat, so now he gets that haircut every year. Kelly

Answer by konadragonfly
Submitted on 7/17/2006
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the best results i have gotten with my chow whom I got when he was shaved down to an inch of hair because his previous owner was moving to Tennessee and then changed their mind about taking him because of heat issues is that I let his hair grow out and now in the hot summer i brush him and sometimes he does develop a hot spot or two and what i do is put some hydro-cortisone cream at fist notice and no more problem. I am moving to AZ next year and was reticient about taking him until I read alot of the great info here. I do find it best though to not mess around with nature. Being a dog groomer in Florida in previous years i hated it when an owner would send a chow to be shaved it seemed they had more skin issues. I don't ever have to bathe him but keep him clean and brushed and well maintained with lots of coolness when the weather is hot and he has a beautiful coat

Answer by Rada
Submitted on 5/21/2007
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We live in S.Cal by the beach and the weather is always around 65-70 degrees. Our 8 year old chow, Gipsy has only completely shed once when she was about two years old. She does get hot spots and we try to keep her from licking and scratching. When she gets a hot spot I clean the area with peroxide, trim the hair around it and apply antibiotic cream it usually goes away in a week. The vet said it could be an allergy since she doesn't have fleas. I've used prescription sprays and creams from the vet but regular antibiotic cream (like Neosporin)works just as well. The key is keeping the area clean and catching any growing infection early. She is a rescue dog so she also has some separation anxiety. Licking and scratching when she is left alone. We've talked about giving her the lion cut but haven't done it since it really doesn't get hot enough around here.

Answer by Victory63
Submitted on 6/28/2007
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WE HAVE TWO CHOW CHOWS AND LIVE IN IOWA WHERE IT IS REALLY HUMID/HOT/MISERABLE FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR, WHEN WE JUST HAD VICTOR , POOR GUY WAS MISERABLE FROM THE END OF JUNE INTO LATE FALL, ALLERGENS IN THE AIR BOTHER HIM TOO, HE DEVELOPED HOT SPOTS TO THE POINT OF PEELING HIS SKIN OFF FROM ITCHING EVEN AFTER WE TRIED TRIMMING HIM, NOW .. I DONT THINK THIS IS A DOCUMENTED FACT, BUT IT SURE WORKED FOR VICTOR.. I STOPPED TRIMMING HIM, HIS COAT ALSO ACTS AS A INSULATOR AGAINST HEAT AS WELL AS IT DOES COLD, ANYTIME HE STARTS ITCHING AS WITH TAIL BITING AND LEG BITING I DO NOT USE BENDRYL MEDICINE WHERE HE HAS TO INGEST IT, INSTED I USE BENEDRYL CREAM AND KEEP THE AREAS CLEAN UNTIL HEALED AND ALTER EVERY TWO DAYS WITH A ANTIBIOTIC CREAM, THO HE IS REALLY GOOD ABOUT NOT LICKING IT, HOWEVER OUR OTHER CHOW IS NOT AND WE HAVE TO PUT A EXPANDED BITE COLLAR ON HER SO SHE WONT LICK IT.. I ALSO SUPPLEMENT THEIR REGULAR DIETS WITH "FISH JERKY" IT ONLY MADE SENSE TO ME THAT THE EXTRA OIL IN THE FISH BITES I COOK WOULD OR SHOULD WORK IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, I TOOK REGULAR COD FISH, RINSED IT OFF, PLACED IT ON A FOIL LINED COOKIE SHEET AND PLACED IT IN THE OVEN AT 250 TILL IT DRIED OUT, I USED THESE AS THEIR TRAINING TREATS AND REWARDS DURING THE HOT MONTHS AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A ENDLESS SUPPLY OF WATER. THEY BOTH HAVE SHADED KENNELS FOR THEIR PROTECTION WHEN THEY ARE OUTSIDE AND I USE A SOFT BRUSH ON THEIR COATS AFTER THE LITTLE DE SHEDDER BUT ONLY USE THE DESHEDDER TWICE A WEEK SO LESSEN IRRITATION AND LIMIT BRUSHING TO MAXIMUM OF 15 MINUTES EVERY OTHER DAY. IT SEEMED TO WORK FOR US, THE HOT SPOTS LESSENED, HE STILL GETS ONE AROUND HIS FACE BECAUSE OF HIS ALLERGIES BUT IT WORKED FOR US, THIS ISNT TO SAY IT WILL WORK FOR ALL CHOWS AS WE ALL KNOW EACH ONE IS A INDIVIDUAL, AND THANK HEAVENS :)

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Question by sevin
Submitted on 6/29/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Chow Chow Breed-FAQ
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I heard that shaving your Chow dog's hair can result in a heat regulating problem. That their coat keeps them cool in the summer and warm in the winter, What is the truth?! My chow lies directly in the sun on VERY hot days! sevin

Answer by tiki
Submitted on 7/7/2003
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I have owned Chows. When I shaved them they developed dry skin and hot spots. I wouldn't say not to shave them but be careful. It might be advisable to consult a vet about your particular Chow.

Answer by DAYSPRING
Submitted on 12/12/2003
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I HAVE OWN CHOWS FOR 15 YRS - AND LIVE IN VERY HOT CLIMATE 3-4 MOS A YR. I ALWAYS SHAVE MY CHOWS - BUT BE SURE TO LEAVE AT LEAST 1 INCH OF HAIR - SO THEY DON'T SUNBURN. THEY LIVE INSIDE THE HOUSE MOST OF THE TIME AND ARE MUCH COOLER AND HAPPIER WITH THEIR "LION HAIRCUTS" DURING THE HOT MONTHS OF THE YEAR AND NEVER HAVE SKIN PROBLEMS.

Answer by Answer By Penny
Submitted on 2/17/2004
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I live in Florida and have three chows all with skin problems. They are fed the best dog food money can buy (sometimes that attributes to skin problems). However, after several visits to the groomer, they've incurred skin problems, dry, itchy and pulling hair out even. After investigating and putting my chows on antibiotics I'll skip the groomer...no shaves...and I will be washing my chows with a special non-shampoo/soap fatty acid product. I had to learn the hard way...ps. visit Ohio often and my chows love the cold - especially the snow!

Answer by Shelley
Submitted on 2/27/2004
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I have two chow dogs who have lived with me through the hot summers of Texas, Phoenix, Arizona and now in North Carolina. We shave them every summer leaving enough fur on so that they don't sunburn. They have never had skin problems and they seem much more comfortable with their short fur. Of course, they spend most of their time in the air conditioned house.

Answer by bababear
Submitted on 7/4/2004
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We live in Alaska and our Chow, Bababear, loved the outdoors, driving, and being shaved every spring. He did suffer from Hot Spots and after we started shaving him with the Lions cut, they went away. We made sure he always had at least a 1/2 inch left and limited his outside time if the groomer got a bit over zealous with the clipper. He lived with us for 11.5 great years and made our lives so much better. We are currently looking for a new pup as its has been over 2 years since he passed.

Answer by Tristan
Submitted on 7/18/2004
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please could this be published for others to see,i will visit this website again shortly for the answer so please could someone answer my question. My chow every summertime scratches allot,she bites hair from her back legs & tail to the point where the patches are so red,this must be very painful for her,we have taken her to the vets so many times and they say she has no sine of fleas which to me sounds the obvious,we also flea her with the front-line drops,give her antihistamine tablets which seem to have no effect,she is never like this in the winter,please please what can i do,from me and my dog Shani.

Answer by Sonrisa
Submitted on 8/12/2004
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I am a recent Chow owner my husband & I adopted him. He was actually getting hot spots, & flaky skin & we had to shave him, we kept about 3/4 inches of his hair. What actually worked for him after was a conditioning shampoo with vitamin beads, & we put dry skin lotion on his body & gently brushed him about every other day. His coat is now healthy. We also keep the a/c turned up for him in summer.

Answer by Deppa
Submitted on 10/5/2004
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I live in the Central Valley - CA My Chow loves water, so I bought her a swimming pool. When she gets hot, she jumps in and cools off. She loves it.

Answer by LEILA
Submitted on 3/14/2005
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I HAVE A CHOW CHOW PUPPY AND I DONT KNOW IF I SHOULD SHAVE HIM OR NOT, WHAT DO YOU THINK? PEOPLE SAY HE MIGHT GET HOT SPOTS AND ALL THAT. BUT HERE IN NAPLES,FL IS TOO HOT FOR HIM AND HE SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME OUTSIDE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? SHAVE HIM OR NOT? GIVE ME YOUR BEST ANSWER I REALLY NEED HELP. THIS IS MY FIRST CHOW ON MY OWN. ALL I CAN SAY RIGHT NOW IS HELP! PLEASE EMAIL XPUNKPRINCESSX5@AOL.COM SEE MY PUPPY AT WWW.DOGSTER.COM/?102953

Answer by Bear Bear
Submitted on 5/13/2005
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To Shani and mom It sounds like it could be a flea alergy witch only takes one bite to drive your dog insane and bald. The other possibility is stress I know it sounds nuts but my baby licked her paws and chewed them hairless and raw. she was stressing over new surrounds and the neighbors children teasing her through the fence. could also be dog food if you changed recently. my baby lived to be 16 years old and yes I shaved her ever summer and she loved her hair do

Answer by Rdancing05
Submitted on 5/21/2005
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Dear Tristan: I need to respond to help you. I recently took my chow to the groomer and they cut the hair way too short for my liking and the dogs liking. He was brave before and now is timid. His hair will grow back, but I wanted to tell you that the vet has given me a cream called Panalog Cream for his hot spots. It works well. Please ask your vet if it is ok to try this on your chow.

Answer by Diana
Submitted on 8/20/2005
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In response to question about shaving your chow in the summer...it is ok as long as you don't clip them too short. Shouldn't cut them back more than 1-1 1/2 inches from the skin. It is very important that they don't get sunburned. For more info go to the Natl Chow Rescue site---> www.chowwelfare.com or our rescue page---> www.geocities.com/chowaddict

Answer by sydn3ygirl
Submitted on 1/24/2006
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My family have always had chows and we live in Sydney, Australia. I've had three chows, never shaved any of them and they LOVE to sunbake on the very hot bricks in high Sydney summers. I have made them come in because it is so hot but they never really want to. The like being hot! They lie in front of the heater in winter and I have to make them move as I'm scared it will blow up. I'm also very particular about what they eat (all natural, lots of meaty bones like raw chicken necks) and this really helps with the hot spots and itching. Do the same for my cavalier after going to the vets many times with very few results to show for it.

Answer by jamie
Submitted on 1/25/2006
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Dear Tristan. First of all, where do you live? Is it humid or dry? The reason for these questions is because I live in So. Cal and I have an 11 year old chow. I moved from Phoenix, Az about 7 years ago, and to my knowledge, he had no apparent skin problems until I moved to an area that is humid. He has a condtion called seborrhea, I am not sure if this is how it is spelled. I have spent a lot of money on my dog at the vet and even at a dermatologist. Same diagnosis by each of them. Ask your vet about this condtion as well as a possible yeast infection on her skin.

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Answer by Katie
Submitted on 6/14/2006
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I actully have a quesetion I recently shaved my dog because he has matted hair?> /has Anyone ever shaven a VERY HARIY dog? How long did it take to grow back my dog looks horrible. just mail me back with a response

Answer by Grumpy
Submitted on 7/11/2006
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About 4 months ago we rescued a dog from a shelter and fell in love with him instantly. No one really knows his breed but it seems Chow and Golden is the most common answer. We took him in for a hair cut and they shaved him. We did not like the way it looks and had never seen it done which is why I came to this site. We live in Florida and I hope it feels better on him but.....does it really make them feel better?

Answer by jeannie
Submitted on 3/29/2007
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i really like this web site thank you for being there