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Subject:   Re: Cutting the coat Name:   Wil Taylor Date Posted:   Jul 20, 05 - 5:12 PM Email:   wilbea@sbcglobal.net Message:   Irene... Whether to "shave", "trim" or "leave-as-is" your peke's beautiful coat depends on several factors [circumstances] that You need to judge very carefully. Circumstances to consider… Color will make a huge difference in “heating-up rate” and in coat temperature, when exposed to direct sunlight. Light colors [blond, fawn, etc] are MUCH cooler in direct sunlight than dark colors such as calico, sable-red, black and gray. Climate. Desert: extreme hot/dry and sun exposure, warm year-around. Subtropical: very warm, moderately humid, moderate sun exposure, cool winters Tropical: very hot, stifling humid, overhead sun exposure, virtually no cool winter temperatures. Middle latitudes: warm/hot/humid summers (4—5 months only), cool/wet spring/fall and cold winters Higher latitudes: warm/dry summers (2—4 months only), cold/wet spring/fall and extremely cold/snowy winters. Time at (hot) temperature: Are they left outside long enough to “do their business”… and then come back in during the heat of the day [night is usually benign, since solar heating is absent]? NOTE: You must have RELIABLE air-conditioning and willingness to spend $$ on utility bills to keep them comfortable. Are you continuously exposing them to warm temperatures [above 80F/ 27C]… and/or they are left outdoors in the high heat periods? Recommendations. If You live in the desert, or tropics, and they are frequently exposed to high temperatures, then “shave” them down to about 0.5—1.5-inch [1.2—3.6 cm], all-over, and comb-out their undercoat fur to thin-it-out as much as possible. Caution: they can get sunburned if bare skin is exposed… and they get quite irritable/itchy if shaved too close! Insure the have plenty of water (and take water with you on walks). DO NOT hesitate to pick them up if the look exhausted… and carry them to a cool shelter!!!! Ears, paws and “butts” should clipped (or shaved carefully) to avoid discomfort. Obviously keep dark colored pekes OUT of the sun as much as possible! If you live in the desert, or tropics, and they are NOT frequently exposed to high temperatures [in-door dogs], then “shave” their belly’s, butts, and lower necks and thin-out their remaining coat by constant brushing until they have fine hair and virtually no under coat [they will naturally loose their under coat in warm climate since there is no need for the extra warmth]. CAUTION: in high humidity or dusty environments their skin may suffer due to fungus or sunburn. Your peke can get sever skin rashes and skin cancer, so be “aware” for the signs! Trust me, we experienced BOTH with our late-great little boy dog on Okinawa JA. He was “sable red” and our walks during day-time were from tre-shade to tree-shade… then “pick-me-up I’m ready to be carried home, pant, pant”. I now live in mid-latitudes [Wichita KS] where it can get very hot in summer [110-F, 44-C] and very cold in the winter [0-F, -18-C]. Early and middle and late summer (roughly every 6-weeks) we “shave” their belly’s, butts, and lower necks… and thin-out their remaining coat by constant brushing. When the climate cools-off, then we only lightly trim their paws for cleanliness and continue brushing. When the weather turns cold, we minimize brushing (for appearance only)… and let them romp in the cold/wet weather [“Yayyyy….freedom!!!!”]. If You lived at higher latitudes, where temps are generally cooler [rarely gets above 85-F or 30-C] and gets really cold, then consider helping them keep cool on hotter-days, by brushing and shaving belly/butt, just once or twice… or more depending on circumstances. BE CAREFUL not to thin their coats too much… this makes it a little harder/longer for their coat to thicken-up for deep-cold winters! Regards, Wil Taylor NOTE: I’ve discovered that wide-necked plastic bottles are perfect for them to drink from, during extended walks day/night. I use Gatorade bottles and chill the water in the refrigerator.

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