Chinese Crested PP clipped down?

Question
Hi,
I have a 2-year old Chinese Crested Powderpuff. I've never trimmed or shaved her, preferring the 'natural' look. However, she does not seem to be tolerating heat in the summer very well, even if it's in the region of 70F, let alone higher temperatures. I'm thinking of clipping her down, but I'd like to know whether I won't ruin her coat. Will it grow back normally? And how long will it take for it to grow back to its previous length?

Answer
Hi Martha from POLAND!!!
Looks like the pure bred fancy is alive and thriving through out the world- which is dynamite! I tend to get a bit isolated even though I am based out of NYC which should make me a bit more informed. We don't see that many CC's powder puffs even here.
While I don't have any as clients, I have seen many at shows and know a few people who have had them so I will tell you what I know based on that and my experience with other coated breed of this sort. When you shave the coat down you risk severe damage to the basic composition of the hair. It tends to get more cottony and frizzy because you have cut the shaft and that can split and fray as it keeps growing. Now it doesn't always look bad and if you are doing it only once a year you may not do much damage but frankly it takes longer than a year for it to re-grow. You can condition the coat and work it to stimulate new growth. New growth is what you need to maintain the silkier look.
Does it really alleviate the heat problem? Not so sure but what are your other options?
Being that these dogs are of the toy group and not meant for serious working duty they are meant to be pampered and protected. That includes from the weather. SO what your option is to shield her from those hot days. Exercise her in the early and late late hours when the heat is at the minimum. Keep her indoors or shaded during the heat of the day. If she does seem overheated get an ice pack- always keep some in the freezer- and hold it between her front legs below the sternum and let the heart do its work by pumping the cool blood through to the extremities.  Cool foot baths help as well and just generally avoid the sun and heat. If you take her on day trips where you are concerned about this keep some plastic baggies that you can fill with ice and apply them between the legs and give her ice chips to chew on.
I hope this was helpful to you and good luck
Feel free to come back anytime!

I am not sure how much more you expected me to know as a PET groomer but if you need more information than I gave, you should be contacting the CC Club and not just on this site. I am pretty sure my answer is as complete as you are going to get- even from them. If you find out anything other than what I told you I would be interested in hearing back from you since it is always to our benefit to keep learning.
thanks!