Winter clips. Are they needed?

There are numerous dog owners in the southeast Melbourne and particularly the bayside suburbs whom I engage with as I live and work in St Kilda, Melbourne.

We often have conversations down the street or while walking our dogs or in the local Alma park, Albert park, Caulfield park, Elsternwick park, Fawkner park and other dog parks in our region where I take my toy poodle for a walk and play. We, folks living in bayside Melbourne, are fortunate to have so many dog parks in such a close proximity! After all, Port Phillip and surrounding areas are some of the most high density areas, and the suburbs within these are the ones with the highest dog ownwership in the State of Victoria!

Well, one of the main topics of discussions during winter months that commonly arises is 'does my dog need a groom during winter'...It's a legitimate question when the temperatures drop so low and pet parents wonder if they should send their dog to the groomers or wait a couple of months for the weather to warm up...

Living near the beach also means freezing sea breezes and cold blizzards that our beloved Melbourne city is well known for!

So why strip off your dog from the protection they have against cold?

If you have a hypoallergenic dog that doesn't shed (usually any poodle mix, maltese mix, shihtzu mix etc...), it means that their hair keeps growing and the old hair doesn't fall off as they don't have that thick undercoat like other breeds. As the new hair grows, it gets entangled with the old hair which remains stuck on the skin and the result is a matted mess! Now, add to that getting frequently wet, and walk through sand or muddy terrain and you have a recipe for disaster!

Yes, your dog needs its coat for protection, however, unless brushed daily and maintained properly you will have a huge issue on your hands by the time Spring arrives! No wonder September is a 'shave it off' month in the world of dog grooming...

Best strategy to avoid issues and ensure your dog has a healthy coat during the winter months is booking regular grooming sessions with your dog groomer and particularly for those living near the beach...

So go ahead, don't hesitate! It's money worth investing!