Is it too cold to have mad dog clipped short...

[MrsMonkey]

...as I'm finally admitting defeat in her longish coat, after battling this winters mud and snow. It is now quite matted and the groomer says it has to go really short. At the moment she looks a bit like a Tibetan terrier in coat length. Is it going to be too much of a shock for her? I have been waiting for the weather to turn but who knows when spring will spring, and in the mean time she is getting a bit whiffy. Plus I don't want her to be uncomfortable.

Any experts? She has only had puppy trims before this. I can buy her a coat for walks - or should I keep waiting?

[Bunbaker]

I think she will need a coat. A friend's dog has had a trim and is now wearing a coat.

[Floralnomad]

I keep mine really short all year and when its cold he wears an Equafleece jumper or coat , never done him any harm .

[MrsMonkey]

Right, she is booked in early next week. I've taken heart from the fact that the forecast is a little warmer and I've bought a 2in 1 coat from amazon.

Hopefully she won't sulk too much!

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Mobile mop has his cut every 8 weeks regardless of the weather. He is always very disdainful if i try to put the coat on no matter how cold it is. So of them just don't feel it or don't care.

[digerd]

There only a few breeds that need a coat. Mostly the little breeds without a thick furry coat. Smooth/short haired chiwawas . Most dogs are eqipped with an undercoat and overcoat of hair, they are especially vulnerable in hot weather not the cold. Especially active and lively dogs.

Never took my dogs out in the rain as they didn't look keen and nor was I. But dry cold in -18 they loved but kept moving until one with a very thick coat got snowballed up to the groin and armpits and could't walk any longer, but that was always just before we got home. Then I always put that one in the bath and with warm water melted the snowballs away.
My trimmed Westies never needed coats either - but was always a dry cold outside at those temps.