It is a well-known fact within the animal medical community and experienced grooming salons that shave downs of the fur-bearing dogs may lead to alopecia (hair loss) and skin disease. There are a myriad of skin diseases, under the category of "Coat Funk," that are either caused by or triggered by the shave down groom of the fur-bearing dog.
Although some have referred to "Coat Funk" only as the absence or destruction of guard coat, "Coat Funk" refers to a myriad of diseases such as The Black Skin Disease, Alopecia X, Sebaceous Adenitis and Post Shaving or Post Clipping Alopecia to mention just a few.
 
The mechanism for causing or triggering "Coat Funk," after-shave downs in the fur-bearing dogs, is unknown to medical researchers. It is simply known that there is a high incidence of "Coat Funk" as a result of shave downs. Furthermore, shave downs of fur-bearing dogs should only be done for medical reasons. Cosmetic choices for fur-bearing dog shave downs, such as a pet owners desire to reduce shedding or make the pet more comfortable in the heat, are unacceptable reasons for the pet to have its hair shaved. If a dog is shaved down for cosmetic purposes and develops "Coat Funk," it is assumed that the groomer iatrogenically caused the disease and is held legally responsible for the resulting skin and hair coat disease.
 
The determination of whether you as a groomer will perform a shave down on a fur-bearing dog is to be directed only by the veterinarian. Since all shave downs are to be performed for medical purposes, simply ask the pet owner to bring in a written notice from their veterinarian requesting the shave down for their pet. Your shave down groom then becomes an extension of veterinary treatment and the veterinarian becomes legally responsible if "Coat Funk" occurs as a result of the shaved down. Some veterinarians may feel that it is medically important that the dog may become overheated or that excessive shedding is medically not in the best interest of that fur-bearing pet. Have the veterinarian essentially write the order to perform the shave down for those cosmetic purposes and let the veterinarian be accountable if "Coat Funk" occurs after you the groomer do the shave down.