Clipping and Blanketing

[MajorClementine]

My minis have moved to a warmer Southern climate for the winter. It's great because I can use them more in the winter (I hate snow and cold) but it poses a problem that I haven't had to deal with yet.

We all know minis grow really thick wooly coats in the winter. Well that was just fine for up north where they were wintering. Even when I worked them in the winter it was cold enough that they didn't really sweat even with their Yak fur. Now they get soaked and it takes them forever to dry out. So I'm thinking I'll clip them down. But then they'll need blankets correct? I'm thinking they'll be more comfortable all the way around. I'm only thinking I'll clip the two that I drive. Maybe only the one that grows the thickest coat. She is used to subzero temps so is that why her coat is so much thicker? Did she grow coat for my northern climate or do they grow the same coat in the winter even if they are in a warmer climate?

Temps where they are now are:

Jan average 53*F high / 25*F low

January is the coldest month and it can get down to 15*F for a short while some nights.

Thanks in advance. I've never even considered clipping in the winter so I appreciate any advice from those of you who do.

 

[Cayuse]

I take some of that fur for Peanut, he doesn't grow enough coat :-( and has to be bundled up.

Can you just clip her chest and lower neck area? Maybe the under belly too? I can't describe it well, but a modified version of a trace clip is what I am thinking. Starting at the throatlatch go down the neck, do the chest, then along the shoulders in a straight line and then angle downward from the shoulder along the barrel ending at the bottom of the flank in a graceful swoop (I just had to add graceful swoop, lol) That should take care of the sweaty parts and still keep them warm. I would blanket them lightly.

 

[palindromebaby]

A modified trace clip or chaser clip might be enough. Maybe even do a different cut for each depending on how thick their coats are. Start with the least amount of hair that you think will make a difference and over a week or so clip a little more.

 

[Minimor]

You can also clip *with* the hair--this takes off the extra fuzz and leaves a somewhat normal coat.

 

[MajorClementine]

I'm thinking if I do clip i'll use my 4F or 5F blade with the grain (being a dog groomer I have all manner of blade length options) so she's not naked. If I can bath and dry her first I think I can get a fairly even cut. Need to introduce her to my velocity dryer.....

 

[jeanniecogan]

major havetosay what a coincidence i groomed bred and raised dogs for 30 years

al i have to say about blanketing is , if you blanket , blanket, dont try to out guess the weather

 

[MajorClementine]

major havetosay what a coincidence i groomed bred and raised dogs for 30 years

al i have to say about blanketing is , if you blanket , blanket, dont try to out guess the weather

That's fantastic! I'm impressed you spent 30 years at it. April 1st will be 15 years since I walked out of grooming school with my 200 "trainee" dogs under my belt and a certificate in my hand. I almost swallowed my tongue just now when I counted up that it had been that long....

I ended up not clipping Clementine because she's been so iffy I haven't been using her. But I will be following your advice if I clip next winter. Blankets will be on unless we are working or I'm out at the property with her for a couple of hours on a sunny warm day. It can turn cold here too quickly and we all know the weatherman can be....less than accurate.