Ok, so here’s the long awaited update on pictures of the pug haircut. First of all, the picture right here is of Gadget, taken about 2 days after his haircut. You can see the flickr set of photos about this to see all the pictures. What I’ve learned about this is that shaving definitely helps, a lot, but it’s not a cure-all to pug shedding. There is still hair on the floor, but it’s shorter, thinner hair.
Ok, here’s what I learned about shaving pugs: First, if you get a trimmer, you want to go against the grain with the trimmer. This forces the hairs upwards and ensures you get every hair cut to the same length. If you see in some of the pictures, there are “grooves” — this is because i didn’t go against the grain everywhere. Going against the grain also cuts shorter, because it’s pushing the hair away from the body. I used a 1/8 inch guard, but 1/8 inch is too short if you’re going against the grain. Next time, i’m going to use a 1/4 inch guard and see what happens.
Furminator: This thing is pretty good, I think. It certainly pulls a lot of hair out. I don’t know if it’s pulling hair out that doesn’t need to come out, or if it’s pulling hair that’s going to fall out soon. It seems as though it gets a TON of hair, but it always seems as though after I use it, more hair falls out. Maybe it’s just loosening it?
When I get back from a wedding this weekend, I’m going to try furminator-ing the boys, washing them, then use conditioner, then dry & furminate again. Maybe that will do the trick? I’m not hoping to get rid of shedding, but if i could have less hair on my pillow when I go to sleep or maybe be able to brush the boys less, that would be great.