Does trimming a German Shepherd's double coat ruin their fur?

Actually, double coated breeds have natural mechanisms for keeping warm and cool. I would not recommend clipping him as this interferes with their natural temperature management. His best bet would be to be provided a cool area to rest and lots of access to water. If it's too hot, make accomodations for him where you can control the temperature or bring him into the garage.

Evening! Yes, it's absolutely fine to take him to have him sheared. GSDs have a thick undercoat, and they can shed a lot. I have a Chow Chow, another breed with a thick undercoat, and I get her shaved as well to make her cooler and cut down on the shedding in my home. Go for it :-)

If Blue is having issues with skin irritation, heat intolerance or matting of his fur then grooming that involves shaving would be a good idea. However if there's nothing going on than shaving is not necessary.

It's normal for puppies this age to have a thinner coat than an adult dog - most German shepherds do not have a thick, full adult coat until 2 years of age or older. If there are any bald patches where she has lost hair, or if she is itching excessively, these can be signs of a skin condition such as allergies or mange - in that case, I would recommend having Roxy examined by a vet. He/she can do some simple skin tests if needed to help determine the problem and get her started on appropriate treatment.

A dog's coats is designed to capture air and use it as an insulator. In the winter, this keeps the cold out and holds the heat in. During the summer, this system holds the heat at bay and helps your dog regulate his body temperature. Without this insulating layer of hair, he is susceptible to heat stroke. So, shaving is not a good idea.

Great question! I have a Chow Chow as well, and I shave her every summer because she gets very hot in the heat. I typically shave her down to her skin, and all her fur has always grown back. It will take time for it to grow back fully, usually over the course of a couple of months, but both her undercoat and overcoat grow back fully. I would not be too concerned, I hope this helps!

That is not true. The fur usually grows back, perhaps softer than before unless there is an underlying medical condition. Dogs with a low thyroid condition or skin problems, or old age sometimes the fur will not grow back or it will grow much more slowly. Certainly the quality of the coat may change also. We have clients who shave their Poms and they need to do it every few months to keep them short. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Chicago.