Long haired dogs need to be groomed daily, while short haired breeds may only need to be brushed weekly.
Combing
- Regular brushing and combing will remove loose or matted hair and helps keep the skin free of disease and parasites such as fleas. Natural oils will be more evenly distributed to give your dog a nice shiny coat. Comb in the direction of hair growth to remove tangles.
- Fine-toothed combs are used for soft, thin or silky coats, medium-tooth combs are used for normal coats and wide-tooth combs are best for heavy and thick coats.
- Flea combs are very fine to remove parasites and flea dirt from the coat and may also be used to comb the hair around the eyes.
- Rakes are ideal for removing dead undercoat hair in larger dogs with coarser and thicker coats, like the Golden Retriever of German Shepherd.
Brushing
- Brush in the direction of hair growth, beginning at the head and work towards the tail and down the legs. Brushing removes loose hair and daily brushing of longhaired and double-coated dogs removes dead hair from the undercoat to help prevent matting.
- Slicker brushes are ideal for this purpose but are also a good general brush for all breeds if used lightly.
- Pin brushed, with rounded tips to prevent damage to the skin, are good for dogs with long, fine hair such as Silky Terriers. They can also be used to fluff the coat by brushing against the direction of hair growth.
- Bristle brushes are good for dogs with very long coats, such as the Afghan, and help add shine to the short coat.
- Grooming mitts are also good for shorthaired breeds to add polish and shine once the loose hairs are removed.
