• intensely_human
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    5
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    1 year ago

    Huskies’ natural environment is like Siberia isn’t it? Would it be okay to shave a husky in a tropical climate (assuming the decision to own a husky in a tropical climate’s too late to undo)

    • Cethin@lemmy.zip
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      17
      ·
      1 year ago

      Dog’s hairs actually can work like radiators. Their heat transfers to the hair and they have a lot more surface area than skin. I don’t know about huskies and other cold weather dogs, but generally their hair can actually be useful to cool them, not just keep them warm.

    • MuchPineapples@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      Once you shave a husky it’s very difficult to get the undercoat hair to grow back normally. It will be all clumpy and patchy. And the coat can also help to keep them cool, although I don’t know about tropical heat. You’d probably have a sad dog then…

    • Esca@lemmy.one
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      1 year ago

      They have two layers. In the summer you want to brush out the insulting undercoat, but leave the topcoat as it protects against sunlight. A shaved husky will overheat in the sun and can easily get skin cancer! It also doesn’t grow back properly. The husky in this picture will never have a normal coat again as it has his fur ruined for the rest of his life.

      There isn’t any valid medical reason that requires to shave a husky entirely. Only people who don’t understand how their coat work do it. It is basically animal abuse and it makes me sad every time I see this picture.