Re: [Blackbelly] Our Blackbelly's guard dog

[Carol Elkins]

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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Re: [Blackbelly] Our Blackbelly's guard dog

[Liz Radi]

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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Re: [Blackbelly] Our Blackbelly's Guard Dog

[Jerry]

Thanks to all who replied.  Greta does have some tight mats of hair, 
particularly behind the ears and down her back.  We will cut those out and 
just comb her with a coarse toothed comb and love on her.


Jerry

--
From: Curtis Yeschke cyesc...@peoplepc.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 6:47 PM
To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info
Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Our Blackbelly's Guard Dog



Shearing the dogs makes the hair come back thinner and finer. The  outer 
hair is a thicker variation than the undercoat. This outer coat  is there 
to protect the dog from getting hurt during a fight from  predators, as 
well as provide much needed insulation and protection  from the weather. 
Of course, being a relative newbie in regards to  lgd ownership, most of 
this info comes from a group similiar to this  one, among other Internet 
sourcesthough to be honest, that is a  sometimes debated topic with 
good points on both sides.

One more Texan,

Curtis
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