Simple Dog Grooming Basics

Every dog needs to be groomed. Whether you have a shorthaired dog that simply needs to have a brush rubbed over him or a Maltese with a long, flowing coat that requires continual care, your dog needs for you to attend to his grooming needs.

If you have a shorthaired dog then your dog's grooming requirements will be much simpler than those of a longhaired dog. For most shorthaired dogs all that is required is that the dog be brushed regularly. Brushing your dog once a week is usually sufficient. However, there are some shorthaired breeds that can be notorious shedders. Labrador Retrievers, for instance, are, perhaps, the worst shedding dogs of all breeds. They may require daily brushing during some parts of the year to keep their shedding hair from piling up in the house. Other shorthaired dogs, such as the

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer and the Beagle, also shed profusely. So, just because you have a shorthaired dog it doesn't mean that you are off the hook as far as grooming goes.

Collie

If you have a longhaired dog or a dog with a medium length coat you can count on a great deal more grooming. Some dogs with medium length coats, such as the Collie or the Sheltie, nevertheless have a thick double coat so the coat needs frequent grooming to avoid tangles and mats. Many of the Nordic or Spitz breeds also fall into this category.

Dogs with genuinely long coats, such as the

Yorkshire Terrier, the Maltese, the Setters and Spaniels, Afghan Hounds and other dogs, need to be brushed several times per week or even daily.

Boar Bristle Brush

If you're brushing a medium or long coat you can begin with a good brush, such as a boar bristle brush or boar bristles and nylon bristles mixed. (Boar bristles are good for spreading around the natural oils in the coat.) Brush the coat with the texture of the hair in the direction it naturally grows. For dogs with thick double coats you can brush a second time against the grain and then brush back the natural way the hair lies.

Pin Brush for Dogs

For dogs with long, flowing coats you can next use a pin brush to separate out the dog's furnishings and make sure they're free of tangles. The pin brush is a brush set with metal pins that separates the long hair. It should not be used on the dog's body since it will scratch the skin.

Next you can use your comb to gently comb out the long hair.

Dog Comb

All dogs will need to have their ears cleaned, their teeth brushed and their nails trimmed weekly. You can use a good ear cleaner from your vet or find one at your pet supply store. There are good products for brushing your dog's teeth at your pet supply store, too. Most dogs don't mind having their teeth brushed if you use one of the dog toothpastes that has chicken, peanut butter or beef flavor.

Nail Clipper

To trim your dog's nails you can use nail clippers or a rotary nail trimmer. There are several good rotary nail trimmers available to pet owners. They work by sanding the nails down a little at a time. If you introduce the trimmer to your dog in easy stages your dog shouldn't object.

Rotary Nail Trimmer

These are the basics of grooming your dog. Remember that your dog's appearance is a direct reflection on you. Your dog can't do these things for himself. It's entirely up to you how your dog looks. Make him look good.

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