How thick is thick?

We shaved Hudson about eight weeks (or so) ago, maybe a tad longer...His fur is growing back (as is Portage's) but the differences between Hudson's fur and all the other sheepies we've known and loved are unbelievable.

I don't see much in the way of the soft undercoat, although there's a little of it on his tummy. His hair is course, and so thick it's crazy. Right now it's maybe an inch and a half to two inches long and it all goes straight out. Gravity has no effect. He's like a steel wool puffball. When you brush him next to nothing actually comes out. When you put something on top of him it doesn't push the hair down. I've never seen anything like it.

We've had horribly cold/rainy weather here, and he's already roasting. We'll be shaving him again in the next week or so. People who touch him are shocked by what he feels like.

Is this normal? All our past sheepies have had differences in fur, but there's been some consistency between them. This is very different. Is there a tool that would thin out his hair (like that razor thing they use at the salon on people for thinning)? I think he'd be more comfortable if the hair volume could be lightened, and brushing it doesn't take much out.
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There is a thining tool for cats. I don't know if it could be used on a thick coated OES....hmmmmmmm. I can ask my groomer :D
traciels28 wrote:
His hair is course, and so thick it's crazy. Right now it's maybe an inch and a half to two inches long and it all goes straight out. Gravity has no effect. He's like a steel wool puffball. When you brush him next to nothing actually comes out. When you put something on top of him it doesn't push the hair down. I've never seen anything like it.


Without actually putting my hands on his coat, I'd say what you are experiencing is what is called a "correct coat". There are show people out there that would kill for that kind of coat. :lol: And yes, I have seen coat like that. José has it as does his entire litter. If you are insistant on trying to thin it out, you need to use what is called a Mars Stripping Tool. Make sure you rake straight down & not at an angle in towards the skin or it can possibly cut. Best to start at the bottom, lift a layer of hair, strip away & then let the next layer drop down & do the same until you have the result you are looking for. But just to let you know, you probably won't see alot of difference because the hair will spring back. Actually, as long as you keep the coat relatively mat free the thickness shouldn't bother him heatwise. The air can still circulate thru & cool the skin.
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