Question about trimming "potty parts"..

yappypappymom · 10-31-2009, 12:13 AM

I have a question that I was not really wanting to ask, but..I am finding that I really would like some help in seeing as I am not sure...

I have a 3 mo. old pup - boy - he is a papillon, & is pretty "fuzzy"...after he goes pee, I notice that the long hair there is wet..some times he will lick clean, but, for the most part, well, it just stays wet. It can be noticed when I pick him up even. Eesh..

Since I know that the hair serves purpose for natures first line of "defense" for keeping bacteria & such out of the body, I am really wondering if trimming it is a "no-no", or not?..ie-should I snip the hair there or not?

Any info here would be greatly appreciated, so, thanks in advance to any who would like to share advice is VERY welcomed!

Tankstar · 10-31-2009, 09:05 AM

Yes you can clean upthat area. Just mak sure you kno what you are doing. at work we do pretty much every dog wth a sanitary clip. (aside from breeds that dot eed ny cippin at all. unless asked to do it by owners) we use a #10 or #15 on those areas.

GroovyGroomer777 · 10-31-2009, 09:25 AM

I would also recommend a sanitary trim for your boy. The hair there can turn into a matt and trap all that bacteria or cause urine scald.

ladyshadowhollyjc · 10-31-2009, 09:40 AM

Stupid question... but what exactly is a sanitary trim? And does it look obvious when you see the dog?
I have this weird picture in my mind of a sanitary trim being a big circle cut out around the rear end...

Purplex15 · 10-31-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyshadowhollyjc

Stupid question... but what exactly is a sanitary trim? And does it look obvious when you see the dog?
I have this weird picture in my mind of a sanitary trim being a big circle cut out around the rear end...

this will depend on the groomer. I woprk in a boarding facility and see a lot of dogs. Some groomers really butcher the sanitary trim.

The basic idea is to clean up the area, not shave it completely. i will usually look at the dog before the bath, whatever hair has poop on it gets trimmed away. a little poop shoot, so to speak, is shaved in, so that when the dog does his business, no hair is there for it to get stuck on. it shouldnt be noticable, in that the groomer should be able to trim and blend and make it look like the hair naturally is that way. if necessary, i trim the back feathers a bit (usually if they drag on the floor, or the hair is overgrown and dead). the i shave in between the back legs, coming down to about the knee of so, shaving to right in front of the boy bits. this helps with smell, and matting.

Michiyo-Fir · 10-31-2009, 08:14 PM

Well you clip the hairs around it, not the hair coming off of it because that hair is for directing the pee towards the ground. If you cut the hair off then the pee might go in any direction which could end up getting on him.

Many groomers shave a triangle around the area but leaving the tuft of hair coming off the dog's privates. There was a page with pics on how to do it, but I cant seem to find it. I'll definitely post it when I find it.

MafiaPrincess · 10-31-2009, 08:36 PM

Depends a little on breed as to what might look weird.. Cockers tails get shaved.. so i trim the hair around the anus super short and it doesn't affect my dog's having full skirts still.. On my boy I often shave his sheath down and leave a little runway of fur sticking off the end.. help directs the flow away from the rest of him.

MoosMom · 10-31-2009, 09:20 PM

You can run him into a groom shop and ask for just a sani, they will do that for a small fee or sometimes free. I do then for free if someone walks in.

yappypappymom · 10-31-2009, 09:30 PM

Everyone, I just want to say "Thanks SO much"

...I had a question, & got a variety of awesome answers! Ya'll are great! I am so glad that I asked, because I was moments away from clipping those hairs that I now understand are there for a reason!
*Hugs* to all (in the form of *reps*) Thanks again!!