A viral photo of a shaved Siberian husky is getting a hair-raising reaction.
The bizarre image of the breed’s familiar fur-coated head atop a completely shorn body has sparked concern among some viewers that such a severe haircut may pose a health risk to the dog.
The photo appears to be legit; however, its provenance isn’t clear.
One Twitter user posted the pic on June 7 with the jokey caption: “If you’ve never seen a husky with absolutely no body hair then here you go. Enjoy.”
The post generated tens of thousands of retweets. In a conversation thread, the user seems to indicate that he has a husky, but not the one pictured. He hasn’t responded to HuffPost.
The photo has quickly circulated on the internet, prompting debate about the motivation for shearing the pooch.
One vet wrote in a 2014 article that dogs like huskies with two coat layers shouldn’t be shaved without a solid rationale.
“In my opinion, double-coated breeds should never be shaved unless there’s a medical reason to do so, as their undercoats act as an excellent insulator against the summer heat,” Karen Becker wrote at Healthy Pets. “It seems counterintuitive that an extra layer of fur would help a dog stay cooler, but it does. Air is a natural insulator, and air trapped between the hair follicles and hairs on your pet’s body does a really efficient job of keeping body temperature in balance.” Becker added that some huskies can get sunburn if their coats are too short.
Some professional groomers say that huskies are among dog breeds that require frequent grooming, and that neglect can allow fur to become so matted that clipping is a last-resort option.
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