Covering coat types from wiry to smooth!

Spending more time at home, you may notice that your dog's coat could use some TLC. As the coat grows longer, home grooming may become more of a daunting task, especially if regular grooming is usually done by a professional dog groomer.

We are here with tips of the trade that you can practice at home to help keep on top of your dog’s coat, ensuring your best friend stays comfortable and happy. After all, a well-groomed dog is a happy dog!

 

1. Prepare

Research your dog’s breed type and the type of grooming required for that breed. How best to care for them depends completely on your dog, their breed and their coat…there is no one size fits all tactic when it comes to dog grooming.
First step, what type of coat does your dog have?

• Smooth/short coat
• Silky coat
• Double coated
• Curly/wool coat
• Wire coat

Once you know which coat type your dog has, you can then pick the correct dog grooming products needed to groom them. Read on to discover how to groom each of the above styles.

 

2. Be patient

Your dog may not like to be bathed and brushed so take your time, stay calm and don’t give up. Dogs are extremely good at reading our body language and if your dog is unsure during the grooming process it will look to you for reassurance. Be in control and make it a pleasant and positive experience.

 

3. If you are concerned; seek professional advice

With regular grooming, you may notice changes to your dog’s skin or coat. If you spot something unusual; from lacerations to skin infections, reach out to your veterinarian. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action. If you are unable to get to the groomers and need advice, give your local groomer a call they will be able to talk it through and give you guidance.

 

4. Stock up on essentials

When grooming your dog at home, you will need the right dog grooming accessories for the job. Essential items would include;

• Dog slicker brush
• Comb
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog nail clippers
• pet styptic Trimmex powder
• Pet cleaning wipes

Dependant on coat type, you may also need;

• De-shedding tool
• Dog undercoat rake
• Ancol knot buster

Check through the sections below, to discover which tools would suit your dog’s coat type.

 

Smooth/Short Coat

 

One of the easiest coats to groom- you lucky thing!

Breeds with naturally smooth, sleek coats that doesn’t tangle include; Boxer, Beagle, Bulldog, Greyhound and Pointer. They don’t need to be bathed too often, so wash as and when needed with dog shampoo- such as after a good old muddy walk!

Brush the coat with a deshedding tool once a week for best results, removing any loose hairs to leave the coat looking smooth and shiny.

 

Silky Coat

 

Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, Llhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier are those included in the silky coated category.

It is easy for a silky coat to become tangled; combs and Ancol slicker brushes are best to keep the coat from tangling whilst removing dirt, debris and moulted hair. Regular fortnightly bathing with dog shampoo will also help keep the coat healthy and shiny. With any matts that are too tight to brush out, try the Ancol Knot Buster to break up the tangles.

If you are unable to visit your local groomer and wish to clip the coat, give them a call for advice in the first instance.

 

Double Coated

 

There are a large variety of double coated dog breeds – some examples include; Husky, Pomeranian, Golden Retriever, Labrador, German Shepherd, Shiba Inu. The longer topcoat is made up of thicker hairs, with the undercoat having softer, fluffier hairs.

These breed types would never normally be shaved with clippers, instead they require regular brushing to remove loose hairs. This is because the double coat acts as a protective layer, shaving it will completely change the texture and can be irreversible.

Regular brushing 3 times as week with a dog grooming undercoat rake, ancol slicker brush and comb is recommended to keep the coat free from clumps and knots. You can also use these tools while bathing in dog shampoo to remove built up moulting hair. For any matts that are too tight to brush out, use the Ancol Knot Buster which will break up the tangles.

 

Curly/Wool Coat

Bichon Frise, Poodle, Labradoodle and Cockapoo are just some of the curly coated breeds. They are considered low-shedding but many are not necessarily easy to care for.

Dust, dirt and debris can become caught in the curly coat until brushed or washed out. You can brush the coat with a dog slicker brush to loosen any tangles and finish by going over with a ancol ergo aluminium comb to dislodge any tiny knots.

Curly coats are usually trimmed regularly to keep the coat at a length you are willing to care for. If you are unable to visit your local groomer and wish to clip the coat, give them a call for advice in the first instance as using clippers on a matted coat could cause injury to the dog.

Wire Coat

 

Wire coated breeds include; Border Terrier, Fox Terrier, Jack Russell and Dachshund. The fur consists of a soft undercoat with a topcoat of wiry guard hairs.

If you want to maintain the wiry coat, you would hand-strip the fur every 6 months. Cutting these types of coats with clippers can be done but please be aware that this will ruin the texture of the coat and can be irreversible.

Stripping can be done simply by hand, although you may wish to use a chalk powder or latex finger cots to help grip the hairs. This will remove the old hair, stimulating new hair growth.

Bathing with dog shampoo will help to remove any grease and dirt but be careful not to bathe these type of coats too often as over washing can dry the coat out.

 

Browse the full range of dog grooming products and care accessories from delicious smelling shampoos and perfumes to brushes and pet cleaning wipes to keep your dog looking and smelling fresh.