I am considering getting a dog, and I have never owned a dog before. The two breeds I really like, are the Westie, and the Miniature Schnauzer. I know these two breeds need to be groomed regularly, as their fur grows long… I have seen a lot of westies with like short hair on their back, and long hair going down under their bellies, and I was wondering, does it HAVE to be like that? Cant you go to a dog gromer and ask them to have it all short, and the same length all over? More for practical reasons, as I would prefer to take a dog on long walks through the forest and the beach, and it’s just not very practical….Would a westie get like too cold in winter with a summer cut in winter? I would get it a dog coat of course…
As long as you’re not showing the dog you can cut its "hair" any way you like it. The dog doesn’t care! I keep my Mini Schnauzer’s "hair" cut short for convenience sake. Still, they need to be brushed a few times a week. And if the dog is wearing a coat, sweater, etc., make sure that you brush out their "underarm hair" as the clothing will create mats. BTW – the longer hair on the legs & under belly is called a skirt. Libby has a short skirt & "Andy Rooney eyebrows." I hate it when I can’t see her adorable eyes! 
Tags: Westie
Yes you can get it all cut the same length. If you plan on showing though you need to really look at the cuts and how much it will entail
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hair cuts are not required. just makes your life easyer when it comes to grooming.. if you dont want to shave down the hair. be ready to brush it every day to prevent matting.
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No they do not have to be cut like that unless they are going to be shown in a dog show. The cut is then the breed standard and if it is not cut in the right way, they will lose points. It has nothing to do with keeping the dog warm or comfortable.
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It is your dog, you can get the fur cut however you want it. Unless you are planning on showing it, then there is no reason why you should cut it in a way you dont like. I would suggest not shaving either of them, but cutting it short should be fine. And the temp would depend on where you are located.
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There are specific cuts for each breed – if you went to a groomer and didn’t specify what type of cut you want, the dog would end up with a westie cut or a schnauzer cut. The fringe on their side is purely cosmetic.
If you want it longer or shorter, you have to be specific with the groomer. Find some pictures of dogs with the trim you like or be very specific when discussing the cut – show them where you want it short and tell them how short in inches. Also it does make a difference in the texture of the coat if you elect to have the groomer use clippers vs. scissoring. Scissoring will be more expensive but results in a nicer texture to the coat. Again, not important if you are not showing but it is just more aesthicly pleasing and nice to touch. Once you find a groomer you like and you like their work, stick with them.
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own a cocker that I like groomed a certain way.
As long as you’re not showing the dog you can cut its "hair" any way you like it. The dog doesn’t care! I keep my Mini Schnauzer’s "hair" cut short for convenience sake. Still, they need to be brushed a few times a week. And if the dog is wearing a coat, sweater, etc., make sure that you brush out their "underarm hair" as the clothing will create mats. BTW – the longer hair on the legs & under belly is called a skirt. Libby has a short skirt & "Andy Rooney eyebrows." I hate it when I can’t see her adorable eyes!
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I was in your postion when I bought my first shih tzu… I knew that there was a common cut for a shih tzu but I hated it, so when I went into my groomers, I asked her how I should get my pup cut. For the first few months she reccommend only a light light trim just so that the puppy can get used to the whole experience and to get the hair out of his eyes, but after that as our dog got bigger everytime I bring him she always asks me how I want it cut. If you have some sort of idea on how you want it cut tell her, or if you don’t just explain that you want it for practical reasons. I personally refuse to get my shih tzus summer cuts in the winter because where I leave it gets to be minus 50. We still get their face trimmed though. My manager actually has a scottish terrier and she keeps a summer cut on him but in the winter he has to bundle the guy up from head to toe and can only leave him outside enough for him to do his business and get right back inside
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