[sweetwater]

A dog with its coat is better protected from the sun than a dog who has been shaved down "to keep him cool", though I've worked with groomers and had to do it when owners demand it. I think mostly they don't want to be bothered with maintaining the coats, but say otherwise, thinking we'd believe it. *sigh* Stripping coats is mostly to keep them hard, as required by the standards, because clippering can make them grow back softer. Do what is easier for the dog if it is not going to be shown.