Shaved Tibetan Mastiff: Are You Making a Mistake?
Have you ever thought of grooming your Tibetan Mastiff? Shaving a dog with a long coat like this “may” benefit the canine`s comfort and health.
However, this depends on several factors, like the dog’s environment or the canine`s health and medical necessities.
If you want your canine to cool down when it`s too hot outside, or if medical issues like skin problems are involved, you may think about shaving your Tibetan Mastiff.
A Tibetan Mastiff is a large dog breed originating in the Tibetan Plateau. This canine breed is well known for its thick, soft fur coats, which offer protection from the challenging environment around the mountains.
Their unique appearance, with droopy ears that drop and ruff of hair, sometimes makes grooming necessary.
Grooming your dog on a regular basis might keep their fur free of tangles or mats, clean of any dirt, and remove dead hair. Also, it may help reduce shedding and maintain their general hygiene.
By offering proper attention and care to your Tibetan Mastiff, you could ensure your dog looks great and remains comfortable and healthy.
Do Tibetan Mastiffs Have Hair or Fur?
Tibetan Mastiffs don`t have hair – they have fur. While hair is composed of keratin and is characteristic of mammals that develop from follicles, fur is a soft but dense hair coating found on many mammals, including canines.
Regarding Tibetan Mastiffs, these canines have thick, double fur coats that offer protection and insulation against extreme temperatures.
What`s the Purpose of a Tibetan Mastiff`s Double Coat?
A Tibetan Mastiff`s double coat serves a few essential functions:
- Regulates temperature: The dog`s dense undercoat offers insulation, providing warmth to the canine when it`s cold outside. At the same time, the little fella`s outer coat aids in keeping the canine cool when it`s too hot outside and reflecting the sun`s rays.
- Protection: The thick fur acts as “somehow” of a barrier against environmental elements and can offer protection against insect bites or skin wounds.
- Appearance: The unique appearance of this dog`s fur represents an essential aspect of the dog breed`s distinctive identity.
- Health: A healthy coat shows that the canine`s overall health is on the right track.
Can I Shave My Mastiff?
Any veterinarian and grooming professional will usually advise against shaving a Tibetan Mastiff, except when medical situations are concerned.
Shaving or grooming a dog of this breed can affect its protective abilities and natural insulation, leaving the canine vulnerable to skin issues, sunburn, or heatstroke. These are only to name a few. This process needs to be done cautiously and under veterinarian supervision.
Suppose you are still considering shaving your Tibetan Mastiff. In that case, it`s essential to acknowledge that this dog`s coat isn`t just fur – the coat actually serves a significant purpose in regulating the body temperature of the canine and offering protection to its skin against external elements.
Generally speaking, it`s recommended to maintain the fur of your little friend through brushing and trimming as long as necessary. Your pooch`s fur will stay free of mats and tangles and remain healthy in the long term. It`s also an approach that helps preserve the natural defense offered by your dog`s fur.
How Do You Shave a Tibetan Mastiff?
Although not advisable, if you still decide to shave your Tibetan Mastiff, you`ll need the following grooming tools and other items:
- Quality canine hair clippers;
- Canine-specific clipper blades (like 7F or 10F);
- Scissors;
- Canine grooming brush;
- Canine-specific shampoo;
- Your canine`s favorite treats.
Follow these steps:
- Remove any mats or tangles by brushing your canine`s coat.
- Use warm water and canine-specific shampoo to wet your dog`s coat.
- Trim your dog`s fur, precisely where it`s matted or too long, using scissors, particularly underbelly and around your canine`s paws and ears.
- Use the canine clippers to shave your pooch in the same direction as their hair grows.
- Don`t go to the same sensitive areas more than once to avoid skin irritation.
- Praise your little pal and give them treats during the entire process.
What Happens If You Shave a Tibetan Mastiff?
Does shaving a Tibetan Mastiff ruin their coat? Well, not exactly! Grooming a canine of this breed can have both negative and positive effects.
On a positive note, shaving your dog`s fur can make grooming easier later, and your canine will feel more comfortable during hot summer days. It can also offer easier access when treating other skin issues.
On the other hand, there are a few downsides that you may want to consider first before deciding you want to shave your Tibetan Mastiff:
- Loss of protection & insulation: Shaving a canine of this breed can eliminate its thick fur coat, which is an essential protection and insulation layer against various elements.
- Higher risk of heatstroke & sunburn: If your dog loses their fur, it might make them more vulnerable to heatstroke and sunburn, specifically when it`s extremely hot outside.
- Coarser, more challenging to manage fur: The fur might grow back coarser and thicker, becoming harder to manage later.
- Health issues: At times, shaving your dog can result in razor burns, skin irritation, and many other health issues, especially if the canine has a foregoing skin condition or sensitive skin.
- Psychological effects: Some dogs of this breed might feel vulnerable if their coat is shaved, resulting in anxiety, stress, or even other behavioral changes.
What Medical Reasons Could Be for Shaving a Tibetan Mastiff?
Some medical reasons might lead owners of Tibetan Mastiffs to shave their canine companions.
For instance, shaving might alleviate discomfort and ease proper healing if their little fella` has a serious skin-related medical condition or has experienced painful tangles or mats.
Moreover, shaving their little friend`s coat might be needed to access the affected body part if their canine is following medical treatment or undergoing surgery.
Still, these are situations where a vet`s supervision is required to ensure the dog benefits from comfort and safety.
Do Tibetan Mastiffs Act Differently After Being Shaved?
Depending on how much fur you remove and on the individual canine, these canines might act differently after being groomed or shaved. Some Tibetan Mastiffs might feel vulnerable or “exposed” without their coat, while others might feel cooler and more comfortable without fur.
Generally speaking, if your Tibetan Mastiff is well-behaved, you shouldn`t see any notable changes in their behavior after shaving them if the entire process has gone smoothly and with care.
Still, if a canine is more sensitive, it might take a while for them to adjust to the new looks.
How do you properly care for a Tibetan Mastiff without shaking its coat?
You may be surprised, but shaving your little pal`s coat isn’t always necessary to care for it properly. It just needs some grooming and maintenance on a regular basis.
- Regular Brushing: Your pooch should be brushed weekly to eliminate any tangles, dirt, or dirt hair. Special metal combs or slicker brushes are designed for long-haired canines to prevent dog coat damage.
- Bathe is required: If necessary, bathe the little fella` using mild shampoos designed especially for canines. Soap or human shampoos should be avoided, as they may strip all the essential oils from your dog`s skin and coat.
- If necessary, trim your dog`s hair around its underbelly, paws, and ears should be trimmed with scissors. This will help make it easier to groom your canine and prevent any matting.
- Regular check-ups for parasites: Responsible Tibetan Mastiff owners should do regular check-ups for ticks, parasites, and fleas. This can be done using tick or flea medication.
- Only healthy diet: Anything other than healthy is a “no-no” for your dog`s food. This should include essential fatty acids, greatly benefiting your dog’s coat and skin.
- Keep your canine companion hydrated: Offering fresh water to your dog should also be a regular routine to help your canine keep its skin and coat hydrated.
- Professional grooming: At times, it may be necessary to use the services of a professional groomer to ensure your dog’s coat is kept well-maintained.
Related FAQs
Dog Tibetan Mastiffs Get Depressed After Being Shaved?
There`s no scientific evidence to prove that a Tibetan Mastiff might get depressed after being groomed. Still, some canines might go through feelings of anxiety and stress after such an experience. – Check this out!
This is especially true if the grooming procedure is uncomfortable or they go through it for the first time.
What 2 Breeds Make a Tibetan Mastiff?
The Tibetan Mastiff isn`t a hybrid dog made of two other breeds of canines. It`s believed to have its origins in the Tibet area of China.
This purebred canine is seen as among the oldest dog breeds on the planet, being used to protect their dog owners for thousands of years since ancient times.
What Dogs Should Never Be Shaved?
Double-coated dogs, like Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, and Samoyeds, should avoid being shaved as their double coat is there for a few reasons – it offers protection and insulation from external elements.
Removing your dog`s fur from their double coat might disrupt their natural shedding cycle. Therefore, getting in touch with a professional groomer or vet is always a good idea before deciding on anything like this.
Final Word
To conclude, a shaved Tibetan Mastiff can have both positive and negative outcomes.
What`s essential is to consider all the aspects carefully before deciding anything. Making an appointment with a vet might be a significant first step, as he can help weigh the benefits and disadvantages of different shaving options.
By offering proper care and adopting the right approach, you can ensure you maintain your Tibetan Mastiff’s health and comfort.