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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Best Dog Breeds For Families With Young Children

There are many wonderful, lovable dogs that are perfect for families with young children. Kid-friendly dogs will tolerate hair pulling, continually play and being laid on, rode on and stepped on. The following list of dogs will tolerate the rough and tumble lifestyle of a family with small children.

Golden Retriever

The golden retriever is one of the favorite breeds for families. This breed of dog is one of the most playful breed out there. A golden retriever does not bark excessively, enjoys spending time with people and is very loyal to every family member.

Labrador Retrievers

Labs are listed as one of the most popular dog breeds by the American Kennel Club. A Labrador Retriever can quickly learn the rules of your house. These fun loving dogs are full of energy and will play for hours. They are easy to housetrain and love learning new things.

Basset Hounds

If you want a more laid back dog for your family, look at the Basset Hound. This dog does not get excited easily, which makes it the perfect choice for families who have docile children. This breed loves being with the family; however, it will not get under your feet the way other dogs will.

Collie

If you want a dog that will play with your kids and protect them from danger, look no further than a Collie. These dogs are independent, yet are easy to train. A collie is a larger dog, yet it is a very gentle pooch.

Beagles

Beagles make wonderful family members and are great with children. These smaller dogs are very intelligent and are super easy to train. Beagles are gentle dogs are very protective, which can be great for families with small children.

Bichon Frise

If you are looking for a small dog, a Bichon Frise may be the perfect choice for a family with small children. This fun loving dog loves to play and sheds very little. This intelligent pup loves to spend time with the family and enjoys playing lively games of fetch.

Poodle

The Poodle is a great choice for children with allergies because it doesn't shed. This intelligent pooch can become a kid's best friend. The dog's friendly nature and patience make it the perfect partner for your child.

There are many breeds that do well with young children. Introduce your children to your new pup and teach your children the proper way to handle a dog to help prevent injuries from occurring. Soon, your child and your pup will be the best of friends.


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The Collie - A Great Family Companion

Collies are a larger dog (50 to 70 pounds and 22 to 26 inches tall) that requires moderate exercise. Because they were bred for herding, they do have the need for daily exercise, however, this can be playing with the kids in the backyard. They also enjoy taking walks about the neighborhood, so it is a good option for those that like to walk for exercise. The Collie can learn to fetch, but this is not natural to the breed and I would find other means of exercising the animal. The life span of the Collie is 10 to 14 years. Due to breeding, there are multiple health problems with the dog, so a mixed breed or careful selection of a pure breed is suggested.

The personality of the Collie makes it a great family dog. It is useful as a watch dog and will bark when it senses that something is not right. It tolerates children well and will be protective and loyal to the family. An intelligent dog, it "reads" the owners needs and tries to anticipate those needs. It is also playful and fun loving and large enough to tolerate rough play that children can sometimes provide. There are multiple stories of Collies rescuing people, children, or pets. History tells of one Collie that traveled over 2,000 miles to return to the family home when it was lost during a trip.

There are two different coats for a Collie: rough (long hair) and smooth (shorter hair). Both coats have an outer coat and an undercoat and both shed moderately. The two coats have different grooming requirements. Rough coats should be brushed a minimum of twice a week and more often (daily) if you want to have the classic Collie look of long flowing fur. Smooth coats can be brushed once a week. Especially, in warmer climates, the dog will need to be brushed frequently to help remove the shed fur. It is suggested that the dog be bathed about every 6 to 8 weeks. Due to the long fur (rough variety) this may mean a trip to a groomer. It can be difficult to manage the fur and get the job accomplished well. The smooth coat is much easier to bathe. As with all breeds remember to get nails clipped and brush the teeth about once a week or more often.

Collies are intelligent dogs that like to be around the herd (family). They can be a good dog for a first time owner that has the time to spend on grooming. They do well in agility trials, as companion dogs, assistance or therapy dogs, and herding. The herding instinct is so strong that they may herd other pets or children! They do not tolerate hot climates as well as cooler climates. They will adapt to apartment swelling as long as they get regular exercise on a daily basis. This dog does require the owner to be an active part of its life or it can become noisy and bark frequently.

Collies are loyal, intelligent, and dignified as a family pet and watch dog. It does require regular exercise and nearly daily grooming.

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