Grooming your pooch isn’t just about primping and preening to look a certain way. Brushing, combing and trimming your dog’s coat is an important part of general care that will also help your pet to feel their best and avoid pain that can come with skin infections and matting.
How often to groom your dog
Grooming needs differ from dog to dog, and are highly dependent on breeds, coat length, texture and growing rate. For example, short-haired dogs will need less brushing than long-haired breeds whose coats become more easily matted. Dogs with long, thick fur may need hair cuts once a month, while dogs with fine hair may only need trimming every 10 weeks. If in doubt, seek advice from your veterinarian or a professional groomer. In general:
Short and smooth-haired dogs (ie boxers, greyhounds, kelpies)
These breeds only need occasional bathing and brushing. Be guided by their smell and appearance, but as a rough guide aim for a bath once a month. Brushing is still important for short-haired dogs as it helps remove loose hair, but it’s generally only required every few weeks. Hair cuts are likely to not be required at all.Long-haired dogs (ie Lhasa apso, shih tzu, old English sheepdogs)
Daily brushing is recommended for these breeds in most cases, and it’s important to use a brush designed for long coats. Professional grooming is also recommended for long-haired dogs with frequency often determined by times of year (more regular grooming is usually required in hotter seasons). Grooming can also depend on your personal taste as to what you find aesthetically pleasing. Even if you do prefer a longer ‘look’ for your dog’s coat, regular grooming will still be required to maintain the hair around their faces, behinds and feet. As a rough guide, expect to make appointments with a professional groomer every six weeks.
Short and thick-haired dogs (ie huskies, labradors, golden retrievers, corgies)
These dogs will have a varying level of hair lengths, textures and shedding rates. In general, they should be brushed at least once a week to avoid their undercoats becoming matted and tangled. Thick-haired dogs should also have their hair trimmed at least every 12 weeks, but often more frequently.Curly haired dogs (ie poodles and poodle mixes)
Poodles and poodle-crosses are often because of their lack of shedding. However this also means they’re prone to matting. It’s important to brush curly-haired dogs roughly three times per week. Bathing and trimming should take place about once a month.Wiry-haired dogs (ie schnauzers and Jack Russells)
Wiry hair is rough to touch and needs to be brushed at least weekly. Bathing can take place as infrequently as once every six weeks, while trimming can be up to every three months.Home grooming versus professional services
Professional groomers are experienced in working with all breeds and will be able to wash and cut your dog’s hair, as well as tend to their nails. Their experience means they should also be able to complete the work quickly and painlessly. However, they can be costly (particularly if frequent appointments are needed) and they may be difficult to access if you live in a regional or remote area. If you’d prefer to groom your dog yourself, here are some tips:Ask your vet to show you how to safely trim your dog’s hair. They will also be able to recommend specific equipment ie blunt-nosed scissors and brushes designed for your dog’s hair type.
Also ask your vet to show you how to trim your dog’s nails, and to recommend clippers. It’s extremely important not to trim a dog’s nails too short. Regular walking on hard surfaces such as cement will help to keep your dog’s nails short.
Take care around your dog’s eyes – point scissors away from the eyes, and keep your dog as still as possible when trimming that area.
- Pay particular attention to the area around your dog’s mouth and behind (these areas are prone to collect food and faeces).
- Inspect your dog’s paws and carefully trim hair between footpads.
- Brush and trim your dog more frequently than is required, simply to get them used to the process and avoid painful tangles.
- Use food treats to reward your dog so that it associates grooming with pleasure.
