Shaved, Help!

scottfree

New member
Hello Everyone,
I just got a second Newfie and she was so matted, that they had to shave her all the way down. I got 3 separate opinions, because I didn't want to do it, but everyone said she had to be shaved. She is 2 1/2. I'm transitioning her to Orijen Six Fish from the Alpo that she was on. Is there anything I can do to help the new coat come in better? Supplements, raw eggs, etc. I've been massaging and brushing her daily to stimulate the oil glands. From what I've read, it seems to vary greatly form dog to dog as to how the hair grows back, but I would like to do what I can to help it. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
Scott
 

nowhavethreebears

New member
My Gabriel was shaved down on the 18th of April. He has 'fur" already as well as some longer hairs on the backs of the legs where the "feathers" were.
A couple of things I wasn't anticipating before he was shaved:
His tail was also shaved and he hits the end of it on EVERYTHING. He was so happy he couldn't get over himself the first couple of weeks and he never stopped wagging. He did open a little place up on the end of it and it bled a bit. Some Gold Bond powder took care of it in a couple of days.
Also extra padding wherever he lays to help protect the elbows which now have no cushioning. I have been putting Skin Works from the Coat Handler people on them to keep them moist.
As far as brushing I have an oval soft bristle finishing brush that I use on him daily. More just because he enjoys it than any other reason. He already was getting fish oil supplementation daily. I recently added kelp and I think they all have better coats.

I of course am mindful of the heat and the sun at all times. I believe that in a year his coat would be back to where it was before.


I have no intention of letting him get a full coat again however. He is no longer able to get on the grooming table and I am unable to sit on the floor long enough to groom him effectively. So I intend to keep him short the rest of his days.
 

new_2_newf

New member
6 fish is good for that, so is adding on sockeye salmon oil on his food. It will grow back, it really will. until he does, keep up with very regular brushing of his coat, he is going to grow back in a lot of undercoat until the guard hairs are back, and you'll need to keep on top of that. Also mind his skin until he has enough hair to cover it...he will burn easily with that pasty white skin, and he will overheat quickly once that undercoat starts to fill out.
 

YorkvilleNewfie

New member
6 fish is good for that, so is adding on sockeye salmon oil on his food. It will grow back, it really will. until he does, keep up with very regular brushing of his coat, he is going to grow back in a lot of undercoat until the guard hairs are back, and you'll need to keep on top of that. Also mind his skin until he has enough hair to cover it...he will burn easily with that pasty white skin, and he will overheat quickly once that undercoat starts to fill out.
That about covers it! BTW: My girl has been shaved down to the skin for ortho suregery (grew back fine) and got clipped very short last fall during a health crisis of mine, in 7-8 months, it's all come back, to the point that she just had to have a full grooming/shaping 2 weeks ago at the groomers. It will come back! (although, there is the rare case of follicular shock/post shave alopecia where it doesn't come back for a very long time. Literally. But that's crazy rare.)
 

KatieB

New member
I just shaved my girl down because her spay coat was out of control and both she and I did not enjoy the grooming especially when she's swimming 3 to 4 days a week. I took her to a half inch all over....SHORT! And it's already coming back faster than I would like.
 

Tracy

New member
They all look like chubby standardbred poodles when shaved down. So enjoy the breed questions when out on walks. The Newf will be back sooner than you think. The only trouble I have when we have to shave one down is the tail. I try to keep a ball of hair on the tip of the tail, but they usually start wagging while you are doing this. So the fluff at the tip gets smaller the more they wag.
Tracy
 

Popcorn

New member
I think it will grow back faster than you think. Switching to a better dog food is a good idea, as is the omega supplements. I personally would steer clear of any topical hair growth thing -- let nature take it's course. I don't adding anything into the mix that I don't have to, because Newfs are prone to itchy skin etc.

GL and welcome to your new puppers.
 
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