One of my earliest lessons came from a senior Shih Tzu who arrived for a routine visit with irritated skin and a limp. The owner mentioned a fresh haircut earlier that week. On exam, the coat had been clipped extremely short, and the dog had razor irritation along the belly and inner legs. The limp wasn’t orthopedic at all; the skin was so inflamed that normal movement hurt. After treating the irritation and letting the coat grow back properly, the problem resolved. That case made me more cautious about recommending ultra-short cuts unless there’s a medical reason.
In my experience, the most common mistake owners make is assuming shorter is always better—especially in hot weather. I’ve had more than one client ask me to shave their double-coated dog because summer was coming. I usually advise against that. A dog’s coat isn’t just insulation against cold; it also protects the skin from sun exposure and helps regulate temperature. I’ve treated sunburned dogs whose coats were clipped down to the skin, something that could have been avoided with a more conservative trim.
That doesn’t mean haircuts are unnecessary. Quite the opposite. I see plenty of dogs whose coats have become so matted that movement is restricted and moisture is trapped against the skin. One spring, a spaniel came in for what the owner thought was a mild ear infection. Under the mats around the ears and neck, there was significant skin irritation that had been brewing for weeks. After a careful shave-down and treatment, the dog was visibly more comfortable within days. In cases like that, a haircut is part of medical care, not cosmetics.
I also see behavioral differences tied to grooming. Some dogs are calm and cooperative; others arrive stressed before I even touch them. Dogs that aren’t accustomed to regular brushing and trims often struggle more during grooming sessions. I’ve stitched small cuts caused by sudden movement during at-home haircuts, usually from well-meaning owners who underestimated how quickly a dog can react. I’m generally supportive of owners doing basic grooming themselves, but I’m honest about limits. Clippers near the face, ears, or sanitary areas require experience and patience.
Another detail people overlook is timing. Puppies that start gentle grooming early tend to tolerate haircuts much better as adults. I’ve watched anxious adult dogs slowly relax over months once owners committed to consistent, low-stress grooming routines instead of waiting until the coat became unmanageable.
After years of seeing the downstream effects, my view is straightforward: a dog haircut should support comfort, skin health, and mobility before appearance. Length matters less than technique, coat type, and the dog’s tolerance for the process. The best outcomes I see aren’t from dramatic transformations but from regular, thoughtful maintenance that keeps the dog comfortable between visits. When grooming works that way, it quietly improves a dog’s quality of life without anyone needing to make a fuss about it.