Many dog owners, especially new dog owners, feel slightly lost in the world of grooming. With so many coat types and breeds, along with the huge number of grooming tools available, it can be difficult to know which tools and techniques are suitable for your dog. Grooming is a very important element of dog ownership, however. It is important for skin and coat health, and also helps you bond with your pet. Here is some information:
Wire Coats
EXAMPLE BREEDS: Border Terrier, West Highland White terrier, Norwich Terrier
Wire coats feature a combination of soft dense undercoat hair with a layer of longer wiry guard hairs on top. This coarse, wiry coat is water resistant, but it can get dirty and matted. Wire coats are a very low maintenance coats that do not matt easily but do require grooming to remove dead/loose hair.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BRUSH MY DOG? Weekly
WHAT SHOULD I USE TO BRUSH MY DOG? Slicker brush & metal comb
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BATH MY DOG AT HOME? Ideally only when necessary for example, if they’re covered in dirt/mud etc.
HOW TO DRY MY DOG? Pat down with a towel to remove excess water. Dry with a hairdryer on a low heat setting and avoid drying the same area for too long. Brush with slicker brush
SILKY/LONG COATS
EXAMPLE BREEDS: Shihtzu, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Terrier, Schnauzer, Spaniels, English Sheepdogs
These coats usually feature straight hair that is fine and soft. Silky and long coats need a fair amount of care to help keep them at their best. They need regular brushing, daily in some cases. Brushing will remove any dead hair, and stops the coat from becoming matted and tangled. A little regular trimming of the face and feet is also necessary.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BRUSH MY DOG? Daily
KEY AREAS To BRUSH: Everywhere but focus on ears, legs, tail and neck where the harness/collar usually is
WHAT SHOULD I USE TO BRUSH MY DOG? Slicker brush & metal comb
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BATH MY DOG AT HOME? Ideally only when necessary for example, if they’re covered in dirt/mud etc.
HOW DO I DRY MY DOG? Pat down (do not rub as this can cause matting) to remove excess water. Use the metal comb through all the coat. Dry with a hairdryer on a low heat setting and avoid drying the same area for too long
Smooth/Short Coats
EXAMPLE BREEDS: Jack Russell, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, French Bulldog, Pug
Smooth coats feature very short, straight hair that is fine and soft. The coat lies flat against the skin, and can even look a bit like skin in light-coloured coats. Smooth coats are short and are very easy to maintain. Although they do shed their coat which can leave little unwanted hairs everywhere
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BRUSH MY DOG? Weekly, or more frequently to remove loose hair
WHAT SHOULD I USE TO BRUSH MY DOG? A rubber brush (zoom groom), grooming glove
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BATH I MY DOG AT HOME? Ideally only when necessary for example, if they’re covered in dirt/mud etc.
HOW DO I DRY MY DOG? Pat down with a towel until dry, or finish with a hairdryer on a low heat setting. Do not use the hairdryer in one place for too long.
Double Coated
EXAMPLE BREEDS: Golden Retriever, Border Collie, German Shepard, Husky
Double coated breeds require regular brushing, to stop a build-up of dead undercoat and tangles. A double coat is a type of coat that consists of two layers. Double coated dogs have a dense undercoat full of short hairs. These short hairs typically with a woolly texture.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BRUSH MY DOG? Every other day
WHAT SHOULD I USE TO BRUSH MY DOG? Undercoat rake and slicker brush
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BATH MY DOG AT HOME? Only when necessary for example, if they’re covered in mud etc.
HOW DO I DRY MY DOG? Pat down with a towel to remove excess water. Use a velocity dryer to help remove loose undercoat. Brushing at the same time (not in the same spot for too long) will help remove this too. You can use a hairdryer although it will take a lot longer
CURLY/WOOL COATS
Woolly coats are typically soft with tight curls. Most woolly coats have both a top coat and a thick undercoat. Woolly and curly coats need a lot of maintenance, as the coats are generally thick and matt quite easily. Woolly coats need daily brushing. They also shed very little, and often need to be clipped.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BRUSH MY DOG? Daily
KEY AREAS TO BRUSH: Everywhere but focus on ears, legs, tail and neck where the harness/collar usually is
WHAT SHOULD I USE TO BRUSH MY DOG? A slicker brush & a metal comb
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BATH MY DOG AT HOME? Ideally only when necessary for example, if they’re covered in dirt/mud etc.
HOW DO I DRY MY DOG? Pat down (don’t rub as this can cause matting) with a towel then comb through with the metal comb. Use a hairdryer on a low heat setting, and don’t stay in one arca for too long. Use slicker brush and comb again once dry.
