I have hair on the top of my head. But when I keep it cut short, I am cooler in the summer. And I do cut it! I used to have a crew cut in my younger karate days. Oh, I know, I probably shouldn't, after all - the hair is there for a reason! <g>
I've seen Berners who were trimmed, and as long as the fur is kept long enough to continue to provide protection from direct sun (just over an inch seems about right), well, you've never seen an older Berner bounce around quite as happy as it is right after a clip! Sometimes it won't really grow back quite the same, but if you aren't showing your dog in conformation events, well - does it matter too much? It may even be a good indication that there are some thyroid issues that need investigation. We generally don't see Poodles with long corded coats (although I have seen one in a photo), the owners clip the coat. Komondors, clipped. Old English Sheepdogs, clipped. Portuguese Water Dogs, clipped. Bichons, clipped. Bouviers, clipped. Cocker Spaniels, clipped. Terriers, stripped. Luther, clipped. Wolves and coyotes aren't clipped or shaved, but they are allowed to adapt naturally to the environment. Man breeds dogs and we aren't quite as good about that natural selection process part. We do the selecting. So next time you go in to the barber or beauty parlor for a hair cut, shave your face, or put clothes on, ask yourself just why Berners shouldn't get clipped if they aren't living in the Bern region of Switzerlan. We modify ourselves to suit the environment, but we don't take the environment into account when we breed our dogs. We do try to moderate the environment for them, we provide a/c, cool shade, plenty of water, so a clip is just one other way to help keep them cool if we are going to keep them in hot and humid climates. But dogs do get melanoma, so keep enough fur to protect the skin! Pat Long (& Luther) Berwyn PA
