Winter has a lot of negative effects on our property. As is the rite every Spring, we need to fix things broken, ground that has moved, fencing that has shifted, and other items. The maintenance of the coat of Jameson The Hundred Pound Dog (we have been calling him, more appropriately, the Jameson Experience) is among these tasks. No matter how hard we have tried in the past, this long haired mutt just has no hope when it comes to his long coat. We always wait until Spring to shave the mess of matted hair and dreadlocks that he accumulates over the Winter. That way we only have to do it once, and he doesn’t have to shiver when outside in the cold season. Before:
And after, ready for the Spring and Summer rodent and bird hunting season:
You can’t catch me. That second one is a cuddly toy, isn’t it?
“Cuddle” isn’t really in Jameson’s vocabulary.
I used to shave my golden retriever every summer to keep her cool and avoid “hot spots” where she itched. She loved it. I left only the feathers on her legs and tail.
Jameson used to suffer with his insane coat in summer as well. He still doesn’t like the heat but this is much better.
Did you weigh the shaved hair?
He’s a cute dog in these pictures for sure.
Jonathan – we didn’t weigh the hair, but we made a 12′ x 12′ rug out of it so I am guessing around 30 pounds.
Natty Dread!
Great to see a Jameson update!
I have what’s called in this country an American Eskimo – really a white German Spitz. They have been called “Dog Beautiful” and for good reason – I have had 3 of these dogs – all rescues – all have had over the years more compliments than my mothers sired-from-a-national-champion German Shepard.
But some make the mistake of shaving these dogs in the summer – they have a pink skin that is sensitive. Besides this dog all shaved metamorphasizes from “dog beautiful” to “giant lab rat”.
But I have to say Jamison looks rather natty (not matty)
The golden was a bit odd looking at first when she was shaved but her coat grew back nicely by fall and California is never a problem although winters at Lake Arrowhead did give Winston some challenges.
“But some make the mistake of shaving these dogs in the summer – they have a pink skin that is sensitive.”
We’ve had two Keeshonds, who have the same issue. Fortunately we know about it ahead of time so we just kept them out of the summer heat as best we could. (Not too much of an issue in Puget Sound country.)
But we’re done with massively shedding dogs! Our latest is a standard poodle, and my wife says it’s all poodles from here on out. (She claims our vacuum cleaner bag line item makes the same case; I respond that the grooming budget has more than replaced it.)
My family had a standard poodle when I was a kid. Smartest dog ever.
Poodles are known for being smart. They use it to train their owners.
That’s a trim and tidy Jameson you have there, Dan. I too grew up with a high IQ standard poodle. Pepper. When I was 3, I thought Pepper was my four-legged older brother who was always giving me a look like hey I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Meade, you might get into big trouble. He set a bar no dog (or brother) since has ever leapt.
I always preferred big dogs. I think I most prefer german shepherds, but collies can be good dogs too. Little dogs are too high strung. And the littler the more high strung they seem to be.
Poodles are wonderful, especially the Standards.
In Faust, Goethe had Mephistopheles makes his initial appearance in the form of a poodle.
I always preferred big dogs. I think I most prefer german shepherds, but collies can be good dogs too.
How about a Collie-Shepherd Mix like our totally rotten mutt Indy….
https://c3.staticflickr.com/3/2878/12614319985_a0820d44fe_b.jpg
Smartest dog I’ve ever owned.
Interesting build and markings. I can see the collie in his face and (I’m assuming) the while under marking.
Our kids used to watch Lassie on TV in the early evenings sometimes, just before dinner. Our collie was mesmerized by the show. He would sit in front of the sofa totally transfixed, eyes glued to the TV and ears forward. His head and eyes would follow Lassie across the screen. I remember Lassie ran off screen once and he got up and ran to that side of the TV and looked behind. He couldn’t figure out where she went. ;-P
Yes white chest and paws, and shepherd brown on his shanks now. A mostly shepherd build and fur type. About a 100 lb dog.
Indy starts barking at dogs barking on TV….He gets confused when they do not answer him….
Seems like the best mole dogs are often shepherd/collies. Good diggers, patient, observant, killers.
Indy is much too gentle to be a killer. I’ve seen him take baby rabbits from the cat and protect them.
OTOH, the cat we have is an excellent mole killer. I just wish he would not get bored with them and go off hunting other rodents. The moles are destroying my yard…..