As another option, we shave Cowboy's belly for the summer...from just below the chest bone all the way to his 'privates'. It seems to keep him cooler by letting him get his chest and belly on the cool stones or floor. It seems to grow back by fall just like the fur on his back. He has very little undercoat so he dries quickly after swimming...and with very little fur on his belly, he really doesn't smell.
Chester, so far, we haven't shaved...just attack him with the furminator to get his undercoat down to as little as possible. He seems to do just fine that way.
Just an alternative...
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