St Bernards are big dogs with an even bigger heart.
They are known for their gentle nature and love of humans.
Although they can be very large, they are also great with children and other pets.
These dogs have been around for hundreds of years, but there’s still some confusion about shaving them down in the summertime: Can you shave a St Bernard?
Can You Shave a Saint Bernard?
The answer is yes, but you should only shave a St. Bernard in extreme circumstances.
You may be wondering why you shouldn’t ever shave your St. Bernard and I’ll tell you why: Your dog will hate it!
They’re like people; they prefer to have long hair and if they’re going to have their fur cut or shaved, they’d rather have it done by someone who knows what they’re doing and is gentle with them.
If you don’t take the time to groom your dog properly, they will get mats in their fur that are very painful for them when brushed out by humans (or even other dogs).
You also don’t want them to catch a cold because of being wet.
But if all these things aren’t happening right now—if there’s no matting or shedding at this moment—then go for it! Shave away!
Does a St Bernard have Hair or Fur?
A St Bernard does not have fur, but hair.
This is because the breed has a thick double coat that consists of an outer coat, which is long and coarse, and an inner coat which is short and soft.
The St Bernard’s hair is also very thick, making it waterproof.
If your St Bernard were to get into the water while swimming or playing in a pool (which they love to do), their hair would protect them from getting too cold or becoming wet.
Learn More:
Are There Short-Haired St Bernards?
It is possible to find a short-haired St Bernard.
These are called smooth coats and they have shorter hair, more like a Labrador.
The difference between the two coat types is that smooth coats shed less than their long-haired brethren, and they require less grooming overall (less brushing).
If you’re interested in adopting a Smooth Coat St Bernard into your family, be sure to do it soon as there’s usually an adoption fee for these dogs!
Can St Bernards Live In Hot Weather?
St Bernards are not suited to hot weather.
They need a lot of water to keep cool and do not like being in the sun.
If you live in a warm climate, never shave your St Bernard because it makes them even more susceptible to heatstroke than they already are.
St Bernards should be kept inside during the day in a cool environment with plenty of fresh water available for drinking and playing in: a large bathtub is ideal!
Conclusion
We hope that we’ve answered all your questions and doubts about shaving a St Bernard and that you feel more confident about this topic.
We know, it might sound like an easy and fun thing to do but dogs have sensitive skin so you should be very careful about what kind of grooming products you use on them especially if they are waterproofed.
