• hactar42@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
    9·
    5 days ago

    Also, since it always comes up, she was found on the streets so we don’t know her back story, but had her DNA tested. She is:

    • 39.3% Siberian Husky
    • 17.1% Cocker Spaniel
    • 15.2% Bichon Frise
    • 8.8% Pomeranian
    • 5.3% German Shepherd Dog
    • 4.7% Maltese
    • 9.6% Supermutt (with traces of Alaskan Malamute and Small Poodle)

    The Husky and German Shepherd Dog come from Mom. Dad was everything else.

    • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
      81·
      4 days ago

      Probably shouldn’t cut it that short, but just make sure they have shade available if they have a fenced in backyard.

      I have one with a similar coat, and cut his just as short.

      But when it’s that short he’s always in the shade if it’s 75ish. When it’s about halfway in between your pics he’ll lay out on the pavement in full sun well into the 80s just loving it.

      A bunch of those breeds have the undercoat that keeps them cool, but only if the normal hair is longer. So it’s counterintuitive but once it’s so short it makes them hotter.

      But there’s plenty of time for it to regrow before it’s crazy hot. It’s just a problem when it’s cut this short and it’s already in the 90s outside.

      She definitely got the Maltese hair gene tho, so cuts are gonna have to happen.

      • hactar42@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
        41·
        4 days ago

        That’s good to know. She for sure has the husky undercoat. When she was a puppy she feels into the pool when it was 20° out. I took her to the vet to get her checked out and they told me she was just fine because of the undercoat.

        The only reason we went so short is because we are moving to Connecticut and our new house is in a very wooded area. So ticks are a real threat. Since we don’t have a lot of experience dealing with ticks we decided to cut it short so we can better see them.

        Of course she is on Frontline but still didn’t want her giving them a ride back into the house with all her fur. Once we get settled and are able to assess the property and hopefully get some tick defense stuff in place, we’ll let it grow out again.

        I’ll be sure to keep an extra eye on her when she’s outside. She’s such a cold weather dog that she sits in the shade almost exclusively unless it’s the dead of winter. But that is in Texas. I’m sure she’s going to love Connecticut.

        • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
          31·
          4 days ago

          The only reason we went so short is because we are moving to Connecticut and our new house is in a very wooded area. So ticks are a real threat. Since we don’t have a lot of experience dealing with ticks we decided to cut it short so we can better see them.

          Ticks are a very local issue, but there should be lots of resources for where you moved.

          If you see opossums it’s a reassurance because their immune to ticks and actively seek them out to eat while they’re in trees. Doesn’t mean there are ticks around, just means if there were the opossumes are likely keeping them out of the trees.

          But what’s gonna really suck is plants. Seeds and burrs are going to get all tangled up because there’s all types of interesting smells in those woodsy areas. That’s why I cut short in the spring and fall. Gives time to grow back for the coldest/hottest.

          If she’s used to Texas summers tho, I’m sure Connecticut will be bearable lol.