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Grooming For Different Coats |
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Short coated canines like Bull Terrier and Brittany may require fewer attention compared to other types in most cases demands no specialist care at all. The downside to owning a short-coated dog is that they moult all the time, sometimes more than others. Dedicated owners of the short-coated breeds, especially breeds with white coats like Bull Terriers, will tell you that there is no color or type of clothing that you can wear that does not get covered in dog hairs.
Regular grooming helps. Brush with stiff however, not harsh bristles is needed, and require only five minutes. Be careful to avoid the eyes, but otherwise brush the entire body.
Rough-coated dogs may need more attention. Some rough coats do not moult in the way that short coats do, but they "cast", which is a more substantial moult, every six months or so. When they cast, hair is lost in mats, especially if the dog has not been regularly groomed throughout the rest of the year.
Rough-coated dogs like Terriers might need extra attention. Regular daily combing and brushing may prevent the coat matting. Once again a stiff brush may be the primary grooming equipment. It is important to comb or brush right through its thick coat, not merely skimming on top.
Some of the rough coated dogs require periodic attention from the professional pet groomer, particularly if you are intending to try your hand in the show-ring. All those artfully disheveled creatures you see at major shows are the result of hours of attention by their dedicated owners. The silky coated dog like Irish Setter and Cocker Spaniel need a similar attention as rough-coated dogs. Some breeds tend to grow heavier and trimmed regularly. The breeds that demand really skilled attention are, of course, the long-coated ones - Poodles of all sizes, Old English Sheepdogs, the trimmed terriers.
Question one, therefore, is, "do you want the expense and the trouble of professional grooming for your dog every four weeks?" This is the question that many prospective dog owners fail to ask themselves. Sadly, the typical result is the Old English Sheepdog that has its coat trimmed to the skin to keep it socially acceptable.
A beautifully groomed dog is seen on television advertisements and the family all cry, "That is the dog we want." But none of them has the time or the inclination to spend a long time every day, brushing and combing and cleaning up their new dog; and still less when the novelty has worn off.
So if you must have a dog that needs a lot of daily work, be sure you are going to be happy to spend the time on it, Before you make up your mind, go and see the breeder to find out just what is involved.
Expert owners and breeders will usually trim their own dogs, but if you are getting one of the trimmed breeds as a family pet, it is sensible to contact your local grooming parlour with your puppy as soon as it is allowed out. The groomer will give you advice on daily care of the puppy’s coat, and discuss with you when to start trimming, and what you can best do to keep the dog’s coat in good shape between professional visits.
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