I actually thought the shaving thing was extreme too - something that my boyfriend always begged me to do to my lab mix. She sheds like a cheap rug. I took offense to the suggestion as that is not an option for his dog, a dalmation, who sheds like an even cheaper, wal-mart rug. A week ago I had a mobile groomer come out to bathe her. I left my boyfriend in charge while I went about my daily work duties (taking care of other hairy animals) and when I returned I found I was now the proud owner of a SHAVED DOG!! Oooooh I was pissed. But actually, after the initial shock wore off, I noticed that she is not shedding and seems much cooler now. Temperature cooler - definitely not appearance cool. So, maybe it would be worth trying - as long as you can love your dog unconditionally! hahahaha

I've got a chow, and I've been told by my breeder, and read from other places, to NOT SHAVE him. I also live in New Orleans, which is very hot for a furry dog (it's too hot for me!).

The thing to do is brush constantly. I brush mine 1-2x/week, and daily during the hot months. It keeps the fur down in the house (and the hairballs in the hallway tell me when I've been too lazy) and gets rid of the undercoat, letting the skin breathe. Apparently the longer outer coat helps keep the heat out.

No matter how furry the dog is, you should be able to lift the coat and see the skin.