To trim or not to trim?

[Chloe04]

Hi! I have a 19 week old Swiss boat, who’s recently started growing his coat and I’m unsure on whether to trim around his back end or not.

It doesn’t get dirty/soiled at all, I check him over daily and the only issue is that he’s getting the hair trapped in his penis and so I just thought to trim it. I’ve so far (most recently last night) also had to remove two pieces of hay from there and I’m also thinking is the hair more likely to act as a sort of barrier - if I remove the hair is he going to end up with more hay inside? I’d rather pull hair out of him than hay, as it’s not travelling any further while it’s attached to him unlike the hay.

Just wanting some advice on whether to trim it back or leave it long to keep hay out (but still keep up the daily checks to remove any)

(Photo of the poor fluff and his 20 week old cage mate)

 

[Roselina]

Hello I just wanted to say hi - I don’t have any experience of this as my boys are short haired piggies. I’m sure someone with experience will be along to give you advice - both of your piggies are gorgeous

 

[VickiA]

My experience of long haired piggies (boars and sows) is that it is much easier to keep them clean (and for them to keep themselves clean ) if they are kept short trimmed around the back end and legs. Some round ended dog trimming scissors are a good idea to use, and if he’s fidgety ask someone else to hold him while you trim safely around his rear end.

 

[Betsy]

You may find my hair trimming guide useful. It covers all aspects of hair trimming. You may find that you need somebody to hold him as you trim. The late Ever Beautiful Betsy (the model) wasn't nearly as compliant in her younger days and would very often go with half a trim while she calmed down for a couple of days before I could complete it!

An Illustrated Guide to Hair Cutting

 

[rp1993]

I have a long haired boy and this year I haven’t trimmed his bottom area short (he hates me touching his bum), but only because he is keeping clean himself, previously he hasn’t kept himself super clean and what I do is trim the under layer and keep a long bit on top!
Here is peppers lovely bottom

Your gorgeous boy looks like my two boys combined

 

[Chloe04]

My experience of long haired piggies (boars and sows) is that it is much easier to keep them clean (and for them to keep themselves clean ) if they are kept short trimmed around the back end and legs. Some round ended dog trimming scissors are a good idea to use, and if he’s fidgety ask someone else to hold him while you trim safely around his rear end.

Perfect thank you. Luckily I’m a dog groomer so have everything I need! Poor Sven definitely has a trim in his near future

 

[Chloe04]

You may find my hair trimming guide useful. It covers all aspects of hair trimming. You may find that you need somebody to hold him as you trim. The late Ever Beautiful Betsy (the model) wasn't nearly as compliant in her younger days and would very often go with half a trim while she calmed down for a couple of days before I could complete it!

An Illustrated Guide to Hair Cutting

I think it’ll be the same for Sven! He’s a right character and doesn’t like to be still so no doubt he’ll have a half trim for a few days haha

 

[Chloe04]

I have a long haired boy and this year I haven’t trimmed his bottom area short (he hates me touching his bum), but only because he is keeping clean himself, previously he hasn’t kept himself super clean and what I do is trim the under layer and keep a long bit on top!
Here is peppers lovely bottom View attachment 215881

Your gorgeous boy looks like my two boys combined
View attachment 215883

Oh he does! Your two are gorgeous That’s what I’m thinking - I’ll leave most of it alone but just trim back the parts which are getting stuck inside

 

[Wiebke]

Gorgeous boys! The problem with long hairs is if one gets into the penis shaft, they can at the very worst knot themselves around the penis and disrupt the blood supply.
More on boar care and boar specific problems: Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

The tiny scent gland is just located in front of the genitalia on the belly side; all piggies scent mark regularly but boars are much more prone to picking up all kinds of debris from hay to hairs from the floor because of their much more open genital arrangement compared to sows.

Generally it is better to keep any hair from longer haired piggies cut short. Any rexoid/teddy breeds have hair that soaks up urine or any fluid like a sponge compared to straight-haired breeds.

 

[Chloe04]

Gorgeous boys! The problem with long hairs is if one gets into the penis shaft, they can at the very worst knot themselves around the penis and disrupt the blood supply.
More on boar care and boar specific problems: Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

The tiny scent gland is just located in front of the genitalia on the belly side; all piggies scent mark regularly but boars are much more prone to picking up all kinds of debris from hay to hairs from the floor because of their much more open genital arrangement compared to sows.

Generally it is better to keep any hair from longer haired piggies cut short. Any rexoid/teddy breeds have hair that soaks up urine or any fluid like a sponge compared to straight-haired breeds.

Thank you - that’s exactly what’s happening. At the moment because he’s still young it’s not long enough to cause an issue more than getting a little caught but I’ll give them a trim to keep any out in the future. Think I’ll count myself lucky for now that he’s not getting it dirty too!