Last Updated on September 29, 2022 by Dogs Vets
A Comprehensive Grooming Guide for Dogs: Long and Short Haired Dogs
Grooming your dog is a great way to bond with them. That’s probably the primary reason behind the growing pet grooming market.
The pet grooming market, poised at $1.3 billion in 2022, is expected to almost double and reach $2.5 billion in 2032.
Data shows that shampoos and conditioners are the most selling pet grooming products, followed by comb and brush, clippers and scissors, and others.
While pet owners like to care for their pets, grooming can sometimes be a chore.
You want to ensure that you’re taking care of your furry friend’s coat and skin, so they stay healthy and comfortable. However, every dog’s hair type is different, and so are their grooming needs.
This article will take you over what supplies you need for both long-haired and short-haired dogs and how often they should be done. Then the article will dive into specific instructions on how to groom each type of fur. So get ready to learn everything about making sure your four-legged friend looks its best.
What Grooming Supplies Do You Need?
If you’re a dog owner, you likely have some standard grooming supplies. However, if you are new to the world of pet care or just want to know what’s up with all these tools, here is what you will need:
- A brush and comb
- Toothbrush
- Shampoo and conditioner (make sure they are made for dogs)
- Nail clippers (guillotine-style work best)
- Ear cleaning solution
When choosing your equipment, remember that the more specialized the tool is for your pet’s breed and coat type, the more effective it will remove dirt and oil from their fur. It may also be helpful to look into specialty irons that can help straighten curly coats or even remove mats from long-haired breeds.
However, it is best to take your pet to a professional from time to time. You will not be able to do the grooming thoroughly all the time.
There can be various reasons for this, such as time. Dog grooming can take as long as 2-3 hours. It can take longer based on multiple factors, like the pet’s coat, behavior, health, etc.
Moreover, you might also not have the right expertise for thorough cleaning and grooming. Hence, it is wise sometimes to take help from professionals.
If you plan to take your pet to a large grooming center, you might also want to consider tagging your furry friend. There can be playgrounds for pets at large grooming centers to enjoy their time while waiting for their turn. A tag can help you find your pet quickly in such a scenario.
You can buy a tag from a local store or an online retailer. Moreover, you can also ask the sellers to build custom ID tags, like the ones on this website. Whether you go for a standard label or a custom one, ensure to mention all the details on the tag, including your name and contact number.
How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?
According to experts, you should bathe your dog every one or two months and brush his or her teeth at least thrice a week. However, how often you groom your dog depends on its breed and how much it sheds.
For example, long-haired dogs must be brushed or combed daily, whereas short-haired dogs can go three to four weeks between baths.
If you’ve got a mixed breed pup with half long and half short hair, it’s best not to guess how often he needs grooming.
Instead, take him for one of those fancy breed tests so that you’ll know exactly how much time and money should be invested in his health and hygiene.
How to Groom a Long-Haired Dog?
When grooming a long-haired dog, you’ll want to use a brush or comb to remove tangles and mats.
Start by brushing the coat with a comb or slicker brush, removing any dirt and debris. This helps prevent matting later on. Once you’ve removed any knots from their coat, use your fingers (or one of these handy dandy tools) to gently detangle the remaining hair until it’s smooth.
Once you’re detangling your pup’s fur, grab some clippers (if needed) and trim away any excess hair around its face or paws, so they’re not too long for comfort.
You don’t want them tangled up. Then take out another round brush and brush each strand of hair, so it lays flat against your pet’s skin without getting tangled up again.
Once you’re finished brushing out your dog’s fur, it should be nice and smooth again. If any areas need trimming, use clippers to remove them. Once you’re happy with how their coat looks, pat yourself on the back. You just saved yourself a trip to the groomer.
When you are done with the long hair and coat, you can move on to the standard grooming, like trimming nails, bathing, cleaning ears, etc., just like you would for even a short-haired dog.
Ungroomed dogs can also become hosts for fleas and ticks, especially long-haired dogs. The uncleaned coat provides the most appropriate environment for the fleas to get their blood meal. Hence, grooming is vital to prevent flea and tick problems.
How to Groom a Short-Haired Dog?
If you have a short-haired dog, you might be able to skip the brush and go straight to the nail clippers. But if your pup does need a brush, it’s best done in small sections at first until he gets used to it, and then it can be done all over at once.
You should wash your dog’s ears with a damp cloth every week or two. Check for dirt buildup or any signs of infection like redness or inflammation.
You can use an ear cleaning solution from the vet if needed. If your pup is prone to ear infections, talk with his vet about using antibiotic ointment before cleaning them out every few weeks.
Nails should be trimmed once every two weeks as they grow fast. It’s important not to cut too far back into their quick as this could cause pain and bleeding, so leave some length after each pass of the clippers just in case any errors are made during grooming time.
You should also take care of the dental health of your dog. This includes brushing your dog, using a mouth cleansing solution, and giving them chewable dental medication, just like you do for yourself.
Final Thoughts
In the end, grooming is a super important part of keeping your pet happy and healthy. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
Just make sure you brush and comb them regularly. All dogs need regular brushing, but long-haired breeds will benefit from regular trimming because it removes dead hair that can clog up their skin and cause irritation or infections.
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