A woman was left "devastated" aftercollecting her dog from the groomersand being met with a dramatic transformation she didn't want.
After noticing herdog had been struggling with his coat, she decided to book him in for a grooming appointment – trusting that he would be well looked after and returned to her looking like a “handsome boy”. She explained that during a previous visit, the groomer had trimmed down his legs and the fur on his stomach to make it more manageable, which she was happy with at the time.
So when she dropped him off again, she agreed with the groomer that it might be time for “a bit of a fresh start” - but what she got back was far from what she had imagined. Speaking about the moment she saw him, she admitted she could hardly believe her eyes and didn’t even recognise her own pet at first.
In a TikTok video, the owner, known as @desiraemaria14, shared before-and-after clips of her dogalongside the caption: “This cannot be happening.”
She said: “Are you kidding me? I don’t know whether I should be laughing or crying right now. I went to pick up my dog and I didn’t even know it was him. Who’s dog is this? What? He is bald - completely bald - with a big head.”
In the clip, her dog’s body appears to have been shaved almost entirely, likely to remove matting, while his head was left fluffy and full of fur. The stark contrast between the two made the transformation even more noticeable, leaving viewers just as shocked as the owner.
The video quickly gained attention online, with many people taking to the comments to share their reactions. While some saw the funny side, others were far more concerned about the implications of such a drastic cut.
One user wrote: “I would be so mad. He can’t regulate his body temperature properly now - keep a close eye on him.”
Another added: “This is terrible. I can’t imagine how bad the matting must have been for this to happen.”
A third said: “You should never shave a double-coated dog unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Several self-proclaimed groomers also weighed in on the situation, with one writing: “Groomer here! I’ve never had to shave a double-coated breed in my seven years, even with matting. The right tools and patience should be enough.”
According to grooming experts, double-coated breeds - such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Huskies and Pugs - have a unique coat that helps regulate their body temperature. While it may seem like shaving them would keep them cooler, it can actually have the opposite effect.
Their coat acts as insulation, protecting them from both heat and cold, and removing it can leave them more vulnerable to overheating, sunburn, and skin irritation. It can also affect how their fur grows back, sometimes leading to long-term damage or uneven regrowth.
Experts instead recommend regular brushing, bathing, and professional grooming to manage shedding and prevent matting, rather than resorting to shaving.
While the woman has not shared what action she plans to take next, her experience has sparked a wider conversation online about proper grooming practices - and the importance of clear communication between pet owners and groomers.
