Proper Grooming of the Dog
It is very important to brush dogs regularly. However, there are big differences in the issue of fur care. We will tell you how to best care for short-haired, long-haired, thick-haired and curly-haired dogs.
FUR CARE IS IMPORTANT FOR HEALTH
Anyone who doesn't own a dog or has just got a dog may think that grooming is all about keeping the dog looking good. But this is not entirely true. Grooming your dog regularly is much more important than some might think. Grooming the dog means bonding with him. In this way, you can build a bond of trust and love between you and your dog. Many dogs enjoy the attention paid to them. You can also accustom your furry friend to the fact that there is no danger in "throwing himself on you". Each veterinarian will confirm how important this is. Dogs are very happy when they are not afraid to be touched. How often the vet should be visited may also depend on grooming. Because it is not just about the dog's coat itself, anyone who regularly grooms their dog and is careful can detect diseases such as skin disease at an early stage. The dog's coat also says a lot about the owner's care for the dog in general. Finally, grooming your dog keeps you alert to pests such as ticks or fleas. These pests like to wander unnoticed through your dog's dense coat of hair. On the other hand, if the grooming is done regularly, the chances of these pests using your dog as a host are also reduced.
CREATING OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR FUR CARE
Many dogs love to be groomed because then their owners have all the attention on them. It can also be the other way around: The dog may run away or even start to growl when it sees a comb. In order not to experience such a situation, it is important to start fur care when the dog is still a puppy and give the dog a treat. The sooner he is accustomed to grooming and the more regularly this is done, the more common it becomes. For grooming, it is best to choose a time when the dog is relatively tired and calm, this can often be after a long walk. The dog should not be in the mood for play or hungry. These times are also suitable for searching for parasites on the fur.
WHICH TOOLS (EQUIPMENT) DO I NEED FOR GROOMING?
The range of care products is very wide. This is due to the fact that dogs have very different types of fur from each other. There are dogs with short, long, thick and curly hair. In addition, some have a dense undercoat while others do not. There are suitable accessories to best care for each hair type. Some dog breeds require a glove to be groomed, while others require grooming with a comb, dog scratcher or brush. There are different methods for shortening or reducing dogs' fur. Depending on the type of fur, special grooming scissors, razors, furminators or shavers are used. To groom the dog right, you must first know what type of coat your dog has.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF DOG FUR
The structure of dog hair determines how much effort and processing is required for grooming. The types of furs in dogs are as follows:
Short-coated dogs
Short-coated dogs generally require less effort than long-coated dogs. However, this cannot be generalized. The least effort is needed in short-coated dogs, such as the Boston Terrier or Pug, which have only one coat layer. Most of the time, the fur is almost self-cleaning and therefore it is sufficient to comb it from time to time with a small grooming rake, lint mitt or a soft natural hairbrush. It is somewhat more complicated that dogs such as Labradors and Pugs have an inner layer of fur. During the shedding period, the inner coat of fur should be combed regularly.
Long-coated dogs
There are great differences between long-coated dog breeds. Some of them have silky fur that grows extremely long, for example, the Maltese breed. Therefore, they literally do not undergo a real shedding period. The advantage is that these hairs do not shed easily, for this they sometimes have to be trimmed. Most of the long-haired dogs shed their undercoat twice a year. The effort for a grooming multi-coated fur is greater than for a single-coated fur. Grooming rake and brush should be used daily during their shedding period. Special lint brushes and lint brushes are available in stores, helping to prevent fluffy hair from becoming matted.
Thick-coated dogs
Dogs with thick hair, such as many Terrier breeds or the thick-haired Dachshund (badger dog), should not be trimmed but shaved. A special razor blade is used for this purpose. It can be used to get rid of dead hair this procedure. It does not cause any pain to the dog or even relieves the dog. A space is also created for new hairs, and the fur shines again. In addition to the occasional trimming, the coat should be brushed at regular intervals.
Curly-coated dogs
When it comes to dog hairs floating everywhere, dogs with wavy or curly hair are most comfortable because hairs get stuck on them and don't fall out. Examples of these breeds are the Poodle, Maltipoo and Swimmer dogs. They only need to be brushed from time to time. However, it may be necessary to visit the dog groomer every few months to get their fur professionally trimmed or shaved.
SHEDDING IN DOGS
Curly-haired dogs do not have the normal pattern of shedding like dogs with permanent hair growth (Bichon frisé). Other species shed in spring and autumn. They their hairs fall out in the winter or summer. During this time, owners should help the dogs by regular combing of their fur. Not only does this reduce the effort spent on cleaning the house, but the dog's shedding period can go faster. In addition, the dog's body, which is under more stress during this period, relaxes. Usually, you may have to wait a few weeks for the shedding period to pass. There are also some exceptions: Some dogs shed almost all year round. This is due to the fact that, unlike in the past, dogs spend most of their time in apartments, and therefore there is no need to develop a thick winter coat as quickly as possible in the autumn months when the temperature drops. The transition occurs gradually. Therefore, the comb and brush should not be too dense, but should be used for a significantly long time.
