The importance of functional fur
If your dog has double coated fur, like most breeds, then it is super important that their fur is functional. So what makes a coat functional?
Your dog should naturally shed its undercoat when the temperature rises so that its fur can circulate more cool air to help it cool down on hot summer days and dry off quickly. When the temperature drops, it should start setting a thick undercoat to help insulate the dog and keep it warm during the cold winter days. The guard hairs are meant to be coarse enough to keep debris out of the fur and protect against wind, rain and sun.
If I had to live out in the wild, I would survive. My coat would protect me. It would keep me from getting cold, it would keep me from overheating and from being weighed down by muck and debris. It won’t tangle and knot or grow wildly, stopping me from hunting or looking for shelter. How would your dog do?
So how do we make sure dogs have functional fur? First off - it’s a matter of genetics! If you breed for a functional coat, you get a functional coat. A dog that struggles from heat will have puppies that struggle from heat. A dog that has fur that constantly tangles and needs to be brushed will have puppies who will also need to be brushed. A dog whose fur soaks up water and takes ages to dry will have puppies that take ages to dry. A dog whose fur collects twigs, sticks and debris will have puppies that do the same.
You have to ask yourself - is it fair to the dogs?
Does my desire for fluffy fur rank above their right to a coat that makes their lives more comfortable?
I’m glad I have a functional coat! I can play all winter and all summer, I can go swimming without being wet for hours, I can roll around in the woods without having to ask mom to get stuff out of my fur! It’s great! I hope all dogs get to live this way!
