Should You Shave Your Dog for Summer?
It feels logical: less hair, less heat. But for double-coated breeds — Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Shibas, Pomeranians, most shepherds — the coat is insulation in both directions. It slows heat gain in summer and traps warmth in winter. Shaving a double coat removes that protection, exposes pale skin to sunburn and can permanently damage how the coat grows back. We wrote a full guide on the double-coat shaving myth.
Single-coated breeds that grow hair continuously — Poodles, Cockapoos, Bichons, Shih Tzus — can take a shorter summer style. A practical puppy cut keeps them comfortable without going down to the skin.
What Actually Keeps a Dog Cool
A deshedded, mat-free coat. Dead undercoat blocks airflow to the skin like a jumper you can't take off. A professional deshedding treatment and blow-out removes it — many owners say their dog acts years younger afterwards.
Trimmed paw fur and healthy pads. Dogs release heat through their paws. Overgrown fur between the pads traps heat and picks up grit from hot pavements. Our Pawdicure Plus keeps pads clean and comfortable.
Early walks by the water. The Isle of Dogs waterfront stays noticeably cooler than the streets — check our dog-friendly map of Canary Wharf for shaded routes.
The 5-second rule: place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can't hold it for 5 seconds, it's too hot for paws. In a Canary Wharf heatwave, that can happen by 10am.
Summer Grooming Schedule
Most coated breeds do best on a 4–6 week cycle through summer — slightly more frequent than winter. Book the next appointment before you leave the salon (or use the reminder button below) so the coat never reaches the matting stage in the sticky months.
Watch for Heat Stress at the Groomer and Everywhere Else
Heavy panting, brick-red gums, drooling and wobbliness are emergency signs. Flat-faced breeds — Frenchies, Pugs, Bulldogs — overheat fastest. On hot days we schedule brachycephalic dogs into cooler morning slots; ask us when booking.