I have a purebred Great Pyrenees, he is a very heavy coated dog, very thick
mane. I have also been told not to shear them for the summer. I have been
combing "Bear" twice daily for a few weeks now, 10 minutes in the am and 10
minutes in the pm. It always looks like it has just snowed when I get done
with him. I still have a long way to go yet. I also trimmed some of the
pantaloons, but need to do more. I need help from my husband to do this,
but he is always busy, so it is on my to do list, for my dogs health and
well being.
It is funny if you think of it, we shear our alpacas in the spring, it is
considered abuse if you let them go through the summer with a "winter coat
on" but ok to let the dog do it. Our white alpacas need to be watched for
sunburn also. Well anyway, I think the longer coat, it is easier to get the
undercoat out if it is not clipped.
We do provide plenty of fresh water, and shade for the dogs. They are
mostly nocturnal, and lie around during the day.
Liz Radi
idar alpacas and nubians
100% ARI and homegrown
Nunn Colorado
970-897-2580
http://idaralpaca.blogspot.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carol Elkins" <celk...@critterhaven.biz>
To: <blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info>
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Our Blackbelly's guard dog
I have two Pyrenees/Anatolian LGDs with very long hair. Our summers are
VERY hot but not humid. Every spring, I shave off their "pantaloons"
because they are too matted to groom. This year the male dog had
accumulated great boluses of fecal material in his pantaloons that smelled
terrible and were getting bigger by the day. I also closely trim the hair
behind their ears because it gets very matted. Other than that, I spend
several hours on each dog brushing out the shedding hair (removing enough
hair to build a brand-new dog). So the grooming I do is for health and
hygiene reasons as well as for the dogs' comfort. I suggest you do whatever
your dogs require. But I think close-cropping any of the other hair could
cause a bad sunburn situation, especially with these pink-skinned dogs.
Carol
At 06:20 AM 5/24/2010, you wrote:
But her coat is thick and heavy and we live in South Mississippi where it
is very hot and humid. I have a friend here who raises Pyrenees and
never cuts their hair. He advises not to trim her coat, saying she will
shed all she needs. My question is: Is there a downside to a very close
cropping?
Carol Elkins
Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep
(no shear, no dock, no fuss)
Pueblo, Colorado
http://www.critterhaven.biz
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