A viral photo of a shaved Siberian husky is getting a hair-raising reaction.
The bizarre image of the breed’s familiar fur-coated head atop a completely shorn body has sparked concern among some viewers that such a severe haircut may pose a health risk to the dog.
The photo appears to be legit; however, its provenance isn’t clear.
One Twitter user posted the pic on June 7 with the jokey caption: “If you’ve never seen a husky with absolutely no body hair then here you go. Enjoy.”
The post generated tens of thousands of retweets. In a conversation thread, the user said the dog was not his. He hasn’t responded to HuffPost.
The photo has quickly circulated on the internet, prompting debate about the motivation for shearing the pooch.
A vet told HuffPost a well-groomed husky’s double-layer coat “is like a Thermos in the heat.”
“It will protect them from the heat and sunburn, and in the cold it protects from the cold weather,” Emmy-winning vet Dr. Jeff Werber said in an email. “However if the coat is unhealthy and is matted or has some type of skin disease and for medical reasons we need to shave, then it would be advisable.”
Professional groomers say that huskies and other double-coated breeds like malamutes, akitas and Australian shepherds are among dogs that require frequent grooming.
