A California dog owner was left horrified after picking up their 1‑year‑old Siberian husky from a grooming appointment—only to find he looked like a different pup.
The incident, shared on Reddit under the title “The groomers shaved my husky bald without permission,” has ignited a heated debate about grooming standards for double‑coated breeds.
The April 13 shared by user u/Simple_Map5052 explained that her husky’s coat had become “pretty shaggy,” and she scheduled a grooming appointment to have his topcoat “cut down a bit.”
But, during the visit, her grandmother requested a “summer cut” to help cool the dog down, an instruction the owner assumed the groomers would interpret appropriately for a husky.
Instead, they shaved the dog down to the skin, as seen in the photo that has earned over 3,800 upvotes, at the time of writing.
“I figured they’d know how to cut a husky’s hair, but they completely shaved my baby bald,” they wrote. “I’m so worried that this is going to damage his undercoat. I feel like any decent dog groomer should know that you don’t shave a husky or any dog with a double coat for that matter.”
The American Kennel Club (AKC) said Siberian huskies have a double coat consisting of a dense undercoat and protective guard hairs. The undercoat sheds twice a year and must be regularly brushed out.
AKC‑cited grooming experts strongly advise against shaving double‑coated breeds except in extreme cases of matting where the skin cannot properly dry. Shaving does not reduce shedding and can lead to long‑term coat damage, sunburn, and increased risk of skin issues.
The owner said the grooming session cost $160, and many commenters urged her to demand a full refund.
In follow‑up comments, the owner added that a “summer cut” for a husky should mean thinning and de‑shedding—not shaving. “Maybe I should have been more specific,” they wrote, “but at the end of the day I’m not the professional who does this for a living.”
Reddit Reacts
Reddit users were quick to weigh in.
One commenter wrote: “As a groomer I’m appalled. Even in the event of extreme compaction or matting, you don’t shave ANY dog without telling the owner it needs to be done. A DOUBLE COATED DOG?? A HUSKY?? Oh hell no. They should honestly be refunding you 100 percent.”
Others argued the situation stemmed from miscommunication. “But asking for a summer cut is taking it down,” one user said. “I feel like this is bad communication—nothing was explained.”
Still, many sided with the owner, emphasizing that shaving a husky can permanently alter the coat. Another commenter shared their own experience: “Our husky had an abscess on her neck and they had to shave the area for surgery. That part of her fur grew back weird; it was never quite the same. And that was just a spot that was like 4 inches by 5 inches.”
Newsweek reached out to u/Simple_Map5052 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
Newsweek's reporters and editors used Martyn, our Al assistant, to help produce this story. Learn more about Martyn.