Does spaying affect the quality of their coats?

[BitOfFun]

Somebody told me it can make their fur all dry, and Pickle is so beeyootiful and glossy

I will go ahead anyway when she's old enough, but can this side-effect be prevented, if this is true?

[KeepErLit]

Depending on breed, it can change the texture of the coat to some extent. Short coated breeds don't generally change but longer coats (eg. spaniels) can become 'woolly' and a bit harder to manage. The coat can still healthy and kept in good condition with proper nutrition but may not be just as super glossy as it is presently.

Both my heavily coated dogs are neutered. The texture of one (long, heavy double coat) has changed a bit, mostly around the 'trousers' and that bit is like trying to groom candy floss. The rest of her coat didn't change as dramatically. My other dog's (different breed, medium length dense double coat) didn't change at all and he's still as beautifully shiny and glossy as he's always been.

[alice15]

KeepErLit is right. Retrievers and spaniels are the worst for it - and setters - those Irish Setters you sometime see that look like orange rugs have generally been neutered. With short haired breeds like Labradors, or very long haired breeds like Beardies or Poodles, it makes less difference. The main change is that the undercoat becomes thicker and woolier, and that's driven by the hormone changes, so nothing you can do to prevent it, really.

[BitOfFun]

What about Cavvies then? This is putting me off getting it done. But I know there are good health reasons.

[KeepErLit]

Yes, unfortunately the CKCS coat is generally altered by neutering.

However, she'll still be beautiful and the health benefits of spaying far outweigh any coat issues. And don't ever be tempted to have her clipped (scissoring is fine but never let clippers near her)...that does far more damage to the coat than spaying will.

[BitOfFun]

She is fed on top quality food atm, after a got a kicking robust thread of advice that it is worth feeding decent stuff. Would any sort of supplement help, do you reckon?

I will try to link a picture of her, hang on...

[MotherJack]

KeepErLit - can you please explain the difference between clippers and scissors to me?

My loved dog breed will never need a trim by any means, but one of OldLadys recent dog mates is a KCCS and her owner often looks to me for advice.... whereas I can help her on socialisation I am stuffed on grooming, unless a quick once over with a marigold does the job

[BitOfFun]

Does this work? She is five months old now.

[BitOfFun]

Come on- come and tell me how beautiful she is, you fuckers

[MotherJack]

It works... I see her. Is that an indicative photo of her?

[MotherJack]

Whoops - of course she is beautiful . Goes without saying!

[BitOfFun]

Pretty much, but she looks bigger than she actually is there- she is still quite tiny. And her fur is so soft! I actually let her sneak into my bed sometimes because she is such a cuddly teddy bear. My other dog, Pepper, the scruffy Patterdale-Mutt gets no such treatment

[KeepErLit]

Motherjack

Clippers are the electric things that take the coat off to the same length all over....like the things barbers use when a man asks for a no.2 all over (that sounds more rude than its meant to!). Or the sort of apparatus you'd use to shear a sheep. You know all those little should-be-long-coated breeds you see walking around bald as coots? They'll have been clippered. It ruins the coat and it never grows back the way it should. Also, in some breeds, it seems to dull the colour. One friend has Blenheim CKCS which are never clipped (show dogs) and they are lovely deep chestnut and white. Another friend has the same type but has the coat shaved off regularly (laziness on her part!) and the chestnut patches are faded to almost a tan colour.

In many cases, clippers should generally only be used on dogs where the coat has been so badly neglected that it's better for the dog to take it off at the skin and start again. Or in a old/frail dog that isn't up to long grooming sessions.

Scissoring is trimming/shaping the coat using scissors. In CKCS, they mainly only need trimmed a little to keep ears and feathering around bum and legs neat and tidy and less likely to tangle/matt.


BoF

Pickle is gorgeous. Ruby is my favourite of the CKCS colours. If I wasn't a dedicated big-dog person, I'd have a ruby CKCS . As for supplements, vitamin E and fish body oil (omega 3) are great for coat condition. You can either give the fish oil in capsules (same as you'd take yourself) or you can buy salmon oil to add to her food. But if you're already feeding a good quality food, you may find that's sufficient. I always supplement but I have a giant breed (and a bitch prone to hunger striking) which are a nutritional nightmare.

[MotherJack]

Thanks for that very informative post KeepErLit I had no concept of the difference before.

[MotherJack]

(although I should say I did know what clippers are, but not the difference in resulting coat )