I was considering shaving our Russian Spaniels coat for summer, similar to what people do for a Springer Spaniel.  Has anyone else done this?  Did it look good on them or is their coat too thin?  I was trying to eliminate burs, etc., while training him this summer.

  Last year I shaved Nika's ears down to about a half inch, they were so dirty and full of burrs.  That looked okay.  It did take a while for them to return to their original look.  She got into some burrs last week and now she has no feathering on her right leg, it doesn't seem too bad.  Wouldn't make it in the ring though.

Elaine

p.s.  Nika's coat is wavier and denser than preferred, so I don't know if that makes a difference.

   The breed was developed to have less furnishings then other types of spaniels, so the weeds and snow wouldn't be a problem.   Nobody shaves other dogs that are not meant to be shaven:  for example   -Golden retrivers to make them look like Labs, Black russian terriers to make them look like Giant Schnauzer, or Bernese Mountain dogs to make them look like Greater Swiss mountain dog.  The shaving will alter the dog's coat (thickness and appearance)and also will make dogs look scrawny.  Dog groomers can be pretty pushy when it comes to make extra money on trimming the dogs.  Please resist the temptation.  I get compliments everywhere I go with Chaikovsky - I brush his ears and body with metal brush and I comb his fringes with a metal comb and it works great.

From Russia with Love. Chaikovsky and Mama.