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jcrain9663 · 08-19-2014, 10:28 PM

Recently, we decided that our black lab, Lacy, will go to Florida with us this winter. I met someone and we were discussing our love of our labs when I mentioned how much I hated the seriously bad shedding and dreaded the thought of dealing with it in our MH. When she said she had two labs and a golden, all of which were clipped about 3 times a year to cut down on shedding, I was surprised. I had never thought of having Lacy clipped. I can't even say why!

After talking to a few more people, I found a lot of people who have their heavy shedders clipped. Who knew? I certainly didn't, and I've had dogs all my life. So Lacy got her first haircut of her life (she's 13) today. I noticed right away that although she still sheds, it's much less, and it's much easier to groom her with the furminator without it pulling. She actually seemed to approve of her new hairdo.

So, I thought I'd mention it here in case someone else never thought of it. We will have to be super diligent with her heartworm preventive and get some doggie mosquito repellent, but overall I think she will be more comfortable this way.

I only wish I'd thought of it earlier, as that is the only thing I dislike about labs. Now I'm anxious for the next month to pass so I can see if she enjoys traveling with us. She loves the car, so I'm sure she'll have a blast.

wa8yxm · 08-20-2014, 08:17 AM

My daughter is, among other things, a dog groomer.

In addition there is a device you can get at one of the two big Pet places (Pet Supplies Plus and Petsmart) called an undercoat brush or undercoat rake. Links follow:

Amazon.com : Oster Professional Pet Grooming Undercoat Rake, 18 Teeth Wide, Coarse : Pet Supplies

JW Pet GripSoft Double Row Undercoat Rake at PETCO

My daughter says this one is best: Shop Pet Grooming Cleaning & De-Shedding Supplies Online | FURminator®

This one is close to what I use on my cats: http://www.wag.com/cat/p/oster-profe...appbanner=true

Bilgerat · 09-21-2014, 06:23 AM

Sorry I missed this post, I was on my maiden voyage in Iowa at the time.
I have had Labs, and I too have them clipped. The furminator works "GREAT", and I used it between clips. Have a large trash bag handy when using it as you will get a shocking amount of fur. At the S&B I would pack the fur into wire suet feeders, birds and squirrels love it for nests. DW says the front line treatment probably helps with lice and such, and may detour some predators.
I want to add that I hated clipping the toe nails. My buddies hated it and hard to know where the quick is. I used my corded drumel tool once with the sanding barrel and they loved it!!! Never caused another bleeding. Worked so good I bought a cordless drumel.
I have since lost them, but my son has two German Shepard’s, so he and his wife have the furminator and the cordless drumel, and she loves them both. Son is on unaccompanied tour in Japan, on his last few months. Bethany says they make taking care of the fur and keeping the nails short much easier.

wa8yxm · 09-21-2014, 01:40 PM

By the way.. Though she no longer does it professionally.......
(She got her Master's in Education and has returned to her first love.. Teaching, specifically Music, elementary school level, full time this year)

My daughter is a trained and experienced Dog Groomer.