There’s nothing worse than not using the right tool for any job. Either you can hurt the project or not do enough to make a difference in the project. If you damage the project, your project has the chance of never recovering. Well, the same problem goes with grooming. When you use the wrong tool, either not enough will be done to make a difference on your dog or you can hurt your dog, turning them off to the entire experience.
There are a large variety of grooming tools on the market, each having their own specific use and aimed towards a specific coat type. My goal is to empower pet parents with the knowledge of how to properly groom their pets. After all, knowledge is power. Because brushing is something that pains some dogs, I will be focusing on the idea of brushing.
Dog coats can be classified into six coat types (smooth, short double, long double, curly, silky, and wire) which all require their own set of grooming equipment. At the bottom of the page, I will sum up what is needed for each coat type. Please note that I will be discussing cat grooming, bathing, ear cleaning, eye care, and nail care in later entries. So I have not forgotten about you cat parents or other areas in grooming.
Smooth Coats
Smooth coats are short and obviously smooth. These coats are most commonly found on pugs, Dobermans, and basset hounds. The basic grooming tool for these coats is a simple bristled brush and a hound glove (a glove with rubber nubs in the palm), or a curry brush (think the kind of brush horse owners use). Consider yourselves lucky since many professionals agree that these coats need only a weekly brushing and the occasional bath. However, that’s not to say that they won’t benefit from additional grooming.
Smooth coats are short and obviously smooth. These coats are most commonly found on pugs, Dobermans, and basset hounds. The basic grooming tool for these coats is a simple bristled brush and a hound glove (a glove with rubber nubs in the palm), or a curry brush (think the kind of brush horse owners use). Consider yourselves lucky since many professionals agree that these coats need only a weekly brushing and the occasional bath. However, that’s not to say that they won’t benefit from additional grooming.
To thoroughly groom this coat type, use medium pressure starting at the head and working your way down your dog’s back to their rear, going in the direction of the fur. A key rule in this case is to go over your dog’s fur twice. This should get a vast majority of the fur off your dog.
Short Double Dog Coats
These coats tends to have a soft but short insulating coat and a longer outer coat. Dogs such as Rottweilers and Labradors tend to have this double coat which needs brushing at least two to three times per week. Again, this is not to say that these dogs will not benefit from additional grooming. The basic grooming tools needed in this case is a slicker brush or pin brush (imagine how a pin cushion looks).
These coats tends to have a soft but short insulating coat and a longer outer coat. Dogs such as Rottweilers and Labradors tend to have this double coat which needs brushing at least two to three times per week. Again, this is not to say that these dogs will not benefit from additional grooming. The basic grooming tools needed in this case is a slicker brush or pin brush (imagine how a pin cushion looks).
To thoroughly groom this coat type, simply take a section of your dog’s fur and part the fur. At this point, you should be able to see the dog’s skin. Get as close as you can to the dog’s skin without getting the dog’s skin and brush out the undercoat by pulling the brush outward. Then brush in the direction of the fur.
Long Double Dog Coats
Similar to above, dogs such as Siberian Huskies, Pomeranians, Corgis, and Akitas have the short insulating coat with a long outer coat. Also like the dogs above, these dogs need to be brushed at least two to three times per week but do benefit from additional grooming. They shed the most during the spring and the fall. The proper grooming tools for these dogs are a slicker or pin brush as well as a wide tooth comb, commonly known as a rake.
Similar to above, dogs such as Siberian Huskies, Pomeranians, Corgis, and Akitas have the short insulating coat with a long outer coat. Also like the dogs above, these dogs need to be brushed at least two to three times per week but do benefit from additional grooming. They shed the most during the spring and the fall. The proper grooming tools for these dogs are a slicker or pin brush as well as a wide tooth comb, commonly known as a rake.
To begin grooming, go over the outer coat with the pin or slicker brush before parting the fur with your hand. Like the short double dog coat, put the brush as close to the skin as you can without having the brush touch the coat and pull the brush outward to remove the loose fur. After you do this all over your dog’s body, use thee rake to go over your dog’s body, going in the direction of the fur.
Curly Coats
As many of you can guess, poodles and bichon frises fit into this coat type. As the reoccurring trend shows, a slicker brush is going to be one of the primary tools you will need. The last tool required as a necessity for grooming this coat type is a long pin brush with a cushioned back.
As many of you can guess, poodles and bichon frises fit into this coat type. As the reoccurring trend shows, a slicker brush is going to be one of the primary tools you will need. The last tool required as a necessity for grooming this coat type is a long pin brush with a cushioned back.
To groom, start out by the head’s shorter fur, part the fur and brush out the fur starting at the skin and going outward. For the longer fur, simply use the pin brush to brush out the longer fur starting at the end and heading in towards the skin, similarly to how you’d brush your own hair. For super stubborn knots, mats, and tangles, use a pair of grooming scissors to cut them out but never use scissors to cut mats under or on the ears as you can easily cut your dog’s skin. Remember, just brushing the to coat will not accomplish anything.
Silky Coats
This is probably the one coats which needs the most grooming due to their long, silky hair in places that hang away from the body. Maltese and Yorkies are only two of the breeds which fall into these categories. The proper tools which an owner will need are a spray on conditioner, a comb, a pin brush, and scissors. As a note, for dogs with this coat type, they should be groomed daily.
This is probably the one coats which needs the most grooming due to their long, silky hair in places that hang away from the body. Maltese and Yorkies are only two of the breeds which fall into these categories. The proper tools which an owner will need are a spray on conditioner, a comb, a pin brush, and scissors. As a note, for dogs with this coat type, they should be groomed daily.
Start with spraying a spray on conditioner to keep the hair from breaking. Then brushing the face and head first and move in the direction of the fur. Comb the cheeks, under the chin, and down the neck. Last, brush under the ears using light pressure. If there are bad tangles under the ears, do not cut the tangles with scissors as it is easy to cut the dog’s skin with scissors. Remove knots and tangles one at a time.
Wire Coats
With these coats, a slicker brush (yes, this does seem to be the multipurpose brush) is the brush of choice and a metal comb will also be needed. Simply start at the dog’s head and neck and move down the rest of the body including the legs. Brush in the direction of the fur to remove tangles. Then go back and brush out the undercoat by starting at the skin and brushing outward. Last, do the same with the metal comb.
With these coats, a slicker brush (yes, this does seem to be the multipurpose brush) is the brush of choice and a metal comb will also be needed. Simply start at the dog’s head and neck and move down the rest of the body including the legs. Brush in the direction of the fur to remove tangles. Then go back and brush out the undercoat by starting at the skin and brushing outward. Last, do the same with the metal comb.
End Remarks
Many of you may be asking “well what about the deshedders like the Furminator?” To be honest, I have found that they tend to hurt dogs by pulling their fresh fur rather than the loose fur. If you own one and swear by it, then I’d honestly suggest doing the proper grooming above and as a quick once over, using the deshedding tool. This is the method I use on my own pets and I’ve found that I’ve had great success.
Many of you may be asking “well what about the deshedders like the Furminator?” To be honest, I have found that they tend to hurt dogs by pulling their fresh fur rather than the loose fur. If you own one and swear by it, then I’d honestly suggest doing the proper grooming above and as a quick once over, using the deshedding tool. This is the method I use on my own pets and I’ve found that I’ve had great success.
I hope that this has given everyone a bit of confidence to begin grooming their dog. If you still feel a bit shaky on this, two resources that I found useful are http://www.petuniversity.com and Grooming Your Dog by the editors of Dog Fancy or you can simply consult your veterinarian, Animal Health Tech, or pet groomer. If anyone has any other great resources, please let me know. I would love to post them to assist others.
Good luck, dog parents and take care!
Kim
Short Haired Breeds
1.) Bristled Brush
2.) Hound Brush
3.) Curry Brush
1.) Bristled Brush
2.) Hound Brush
3.) Curry Brush
Short Double Coat
1.) Slicker Brush
2.) Pin Brush
1.) Slicker Brush
2.) Pin Brush
Long Double Coat
1.) Slicker Brush
2.) Pin Brush
3.) Rake/Wide Tooth Comb
1.) Slicker Brush
2.) Pin Brush
3.) Rake/Wide Tooth Comb
Curly Coat
1.)Slicker Brush
2.) Pin Brush with a cushioned back
3.) Scissors
1.)Slicker Brush
2.) Pin Brush with a cushioned back
3.) Scissors
Silky Coat
1.) Spray on Conditioner
2.) Comb
3.) Pin Brush
4.) Scissors
1.) Spray on Conditioner
2.) Comb
3.) Pin Brush
4.) Scissors
Wire Coat
1.) Slicker Brush
2.) Metal Comb
1.) Slicker Brush
2.) Metal Comb
