for healthy happy puppies
Grooming your Puppy
Introduce the grooming process to your puppy from a very early age (8 weeks is ideal) so that they are comfortable with being handled and groomed. It is important not to bath your puppy too often as this can reduce the natural oils in their coat and skin.
When bathing your puppy always use a suitable puppy shampoo, this will prepare your puppy’s coat for adulthood and is gentle and mild. During grooming use a puppy brush and puppy slicker, these are a smaller models and less harsh on your puppy. Introduce grooming gradually, then as your puppy becomes more comfortable with the process start to increase the grooming sessions.
Different breeds have different types of coats and therefore different grooming requirements. It is important that you have the correct tools for the job. The following information will help you identify which grooming equipment is required for you breed of dog.
Smooth-coated breeds eg. Pointers, Dobermanns and Dalmatians - the most suitable equipment needed to maintain a smooth coat is a bristle brush, hand glove, flannel, and silk or velvet squares for polishing, shampoo and coat conditioner spray.
Medium-coated breeds eg. Border Collies and Golden Retrievers - these will require a moderate amount of grooming. The most suitable tools to use on a medium coat are as follows: A medium pin brush, undercoat rake, coarse comb. Regular grooming is required to ensure that your dog’s coat does not become tangled and matted. If your dog’s coat is lacking in condition and is becoming tangled try the Groom and Detangle spray. This is an all in one grooming spray which will help remove any knots and tangles from your dog’s coat and leave it smelling fresh. If this product is used on a regular basis it can prevent future knotting.
Long-coated breeds eg. Old English Sheepdogs, Briards and Yorkshire Terriers - different breeders have different preferences for these breeds. Many will use a medium or large Pin brush, slicker brush and a medium comb or a natural bristle brush and comb. During bathing use a high quality shampoo and conditioner to ensure that your dog’s coat is well nourished. You also need to consider different coat textures in long coated breeds such as the coarse double coat of the Old English Sheepdog comapred with the fine, silky coat of the Yorkshire Terrier.
A Groom and Detangle Spray and a detangle shampoo is suitable on these coats, to prevent knotting and matting.
Wire-coated breeds eg. Irish Terriers, Scottish Terriers and Brussels Griffon - the best tools are a slicker brush, a medium toothed comb and stripping knife. Always use a high quality shampoo and conditioner during bathing so that the coat is well conditioned.
Curly-coated breeds eg. the Standard, Miniature and Toy Poodles and Bichon Frise - to groom a wavy or curly-coated dog use the pin brush, slicker brush, and medium comb. These breeds will require clipping to keep them looking their best, this is best done by a professional groomer.
