Can You Shave a Blue Heeler? 3 Key Reasons Why You Shouldn’t (2024)

A Blue Heeler dog panting and resting on green grass.

Blue Heelers are energetic and social. They are also bred to be working dogs, which means their coats have developed to shield them from the elements and insects.

It’s never a good idea to shave a Blue Heeler as this could cause the coat to grow back thicker and lead to more severe shedding. There are other things you can do to reduce shedding.

Can you shave a Blue Heeler? Blue Heelers should not be shaved. Their thick double coat is designed to regulate body temperature and to protect them from the elements. Once the coat is shaved, the dog has no protection, which could lead to sunburn and numerous injuries, and the coat may not grow back normally.

If you have a Blue Heeler and are thinking about shaving the coat, be sure to keep reading to learn why this is not a good idea.

3 Reasons Blue Heelers Should Not Be Shaved

If you are considering shaving your Blue Heeler, these three reasons will change your mind.

1. Their Coat Helps Regulate Body Temperature

A Blue Heeler’s coat helps regulate the body temperature. The coat helps keep them warm in the winter and protects the skin from the sun to help keep them cool in the summer. 

2. The Coat Serves as Protection

Blue Heelers spend a lot of time outdoors, and their coats protect them from sunburn, extreme weather, cuts, scratches, and even insect bites and stings.

Shaving them makes them much more vulnerable to these things.

3. Once Shaved, the Coat May Not Regrow Normally

Blue Heelers have a double coat, and once it is shaved, it will likely regrow thick and wiry and will likely shed a lot more. 

What Happens If You Shave a Blue Heeler?

If you shave a Blue Heeler, the dog may struggle to be comfortable in the outdoors because he will be more vulnerable to the elements and insects.

The coat may also grow back much thicker and cause the dog to shed more.

Should Blue Heelers Be Trimmed?

It is not recommended to trim a Blue Heelers fur, but if the fur becomes matted or if there is mud or debris stuck in it, you can trim it as long as you don’t cut it too short. 

How To Keep Your Blue Heeler Cool

A Blue Heeler’s double coat helps keep them nice and cool in the summer. You can also keep your dog cool by providing shady areas for rest and plenty of fresh water.

A plastic kiddie pool is often appreciated too!

How To Control Blue Heeler Shedding

If your Blue Heeler is shedding and you are looking for a way to reduce the mess, there are some things you can do instead of shaving the fur.

Feed a High-Quality Diet

Nutrition plays a big role in the health of your dog’s coat. If you want to reduce shedding, make sure your dog is eating a well-balanced diet.

Brush Routinely

Brushing your dog often can help remove loose fur so that it is less likely to shed. Using a quality brush will allow you to de-shed your dog effectively.

Best Blue Heeler Shedding Brush – Hertzko Slicker Brush

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Hertzko Dog & Cat Brush, Dog Brush for Shedding,...
  • #1 SMALL ANIMALS, CAT & DOG HAIR BRUSH - Our pet grooming brushes for shedding fur and deshedding...
  • EFFECTIVE SLICKER BRUSH - This Hertzko self cleaning slicker brush, a dog comb and cat brush for...

The Hertzko Slicker Brush is a great brush for grooming Blue Heelers and reducing shedding.

It removes loose hair gently, and it’s self-cleaning, so you don’t have to spend time pulling out all the collected hair.

You can remove the hair with a simple click of a button. It’s painless for the dog, and it does a great job of removing shed hair from the coat.

Use a Deshedding Tool 

If a traditional brush isn’t cutting it, you can also help reduce the amount of fur your dog sheds by using a de-shedding tool.

This helps thin out the hair and remove any loose hairs that could be matted or stuck to the dog.

Best Blue Heeler Deshedding Tool – Safari Undercoat Rake

Coastal Pet Safari Dog Single Row Rotating Pins...
  • Safari Undercoat Rake: This deshedding rake deeply penetrates undercoats with precision tapered pins...
  • Dematting Comb for Dogs: Our dog undercoat brush maintains a healthy, beautiful coat by removing...

This tool penetrates deeply into the undercoat so it can remove hair that is loose but not yet shed. It has thick pins that are blunt and gentle but effective at removing hair of all lengths.

This tool is especially helpful in the early spring when shedding is at its worst.

Bathe Routinely

Bathing will help to keep the coat healthy and also remove any loose hair. Be sure to use a high-quality shampoo that is designed for dogs.

You can even find solutions that are made to reduce shedding.

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MAGIC COAT SHED-REDUCING SHAMPOO
  • Magic coat grooming solutions feature an easy-to-use color-coded system to help owners select
  • Shampoo promotes a healthy, lustrous coat and helps prevent excess shedding

Related Questions:

Do Blue Heelers Shed a Lot?

Blue Heelers are considered moderate shedders. They have a double coat, but the top coat is short and easy to care for. With proper bathing and grooming, the shedding can be reduced.

Do Blue Heelers Like Water?

Blue Heelers do like the water. They are full of energy and enjoy playing, swimming, and jumping in the water. 

Conclusion

Blue Heelers are adorable and social dogs. While they are known for being a fairly low-maintenance breed, they do have double coats that make them prone to shedding.

While shaving your Blue Heeler is not recommended, there are other things you can do to reduce shedding.

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 22:51 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API