Dog grooming: Here's how
Proper grooming for each breed is essential to keep their skin and hair healthy. Find out in this dog guide what you should pay attention to when grooming your dog.
Grooming your dog
There are over 300 dog breeds - and therefore a lot of coat types, as every dog owner knows. While some have no undercoat, others have a lot. Some belong to the wiry variety, the others feel like a flokati carpet.
And every coat needs to be cared for in its own way. So that it doesn't get worse fur or even skin problems comes, you should inform yourself about the relevant care methods and options for your dog in this article.
Brush properly - that's how it works
A calm atmosphere is important when grooming. Don't brush your dog between door and hinge. Grooming is caring for the pack – the master or mistress and the fur child take their time for that! Praise your dog while brushing, and he'll be sure to find it enjoyable in no time. In the beginning, you should rather integrate short units into the day and not plan too long brushing procedures for your dog. Patience and careful introduction are the be-all and end-all here. After a short time, your darling will love grooming.
The right brush for every breed
For short-haired dogs, special nub brushes, grooming gloves and combs with rounded teeth are suitable for areas with longer fur. Wire hair should not be brushed too often, otherwise it will become too soft and lose its protective function. However, every now and then a small brushing unit is useful. Natural hair brushes and the combs mentioned above are suitable for longer fur. A bit more equipment is needed for long hair: a comb, natural or wire brushes, grooming scissors and an undercoat brush are the essentials. A detangling rake will help sort out the clutter.
Give your dog plenty of time and be patient with him to get used to brushing, depending on the coat type, dog grooming can take a little longer. Once your darling has got used to the brush and gained trust, he deserves praise and treats.
Shampoo, conditioner and Co.: when is it time for a bubble bath?
The most important thing first: Dogs do not have to be bathed. It hurts her skin. The following therefore applies: as often as necessary, as little as possible! However, exceptions prove the rule. If your dog has rolled in something smelly or has stubborn dirt in its coat, a bathing session with shampoo and co. can be useful. In any case, make sure that you use special shampoo for dogs. The rumor that baby shampoo is good is false. Because dogs have a completely different pH value than humans. A Shampoo for sensitive dog skin always works, preferably without perfume. Bello got lice? Here, too, there are special shampoos that help to get rid of the little tormentors.
Even if a shearing is pending, prior bathing is important. A good dog hairdresser is an expert and offers this service anyway. In most cases, however, it is sufficient if you brush your dog thoroughly or rinse it off with clear water.
Incorrect grooming of the dog - that can happen
"It's nature, it takes care of itself," some people might think. Not even close! Only a beautiful and, above all, well-groomed coat is usually also a healthy coat and important for healthy skin. If dog fur is cared for incorrectly or not at all, skin irritations are not far away. So make sure you really turn to professionals, or read up on the topic yourself. Of course, there can still be fur and skin problems. If the cause is clear and it is only an external irritation, certain ointments with healing agents will help.
Our Aua-Balm-Plus with cod liver oil, marigold and zinc helps to care for and protect cracked and scaly skin areas. Some dogs tend to have dry and scaly skin in general. In addition to the right diet, about which you will read something in a moment, care products such as this are suitable Because-Balsam then also for daily use. As with us two-legged friends, aloe vera, salt from the dead sea and liverwort also help to keep dry skin supple. Ingredients also in our Skin Care Pro Spray are included.
Less is more
Your dog doesn't need any frills, natural products without unnecessary additives support him best in most cases. Be careful not to expose the dog's sensitive skin and coat to chemicals or shampoos with the wrong pH value.
Fur care also works from the inside
Balanced feeding is essential so that the fur of your four-legged friend is not only cared for from the outside, but also receives the necessary vitamins and minerals from the inside. Sometimes the normal food menu is not enough and certain additives are needed. Omega 3 and 6 are essential for a shiny and healthy dog coat.
Our Barf Beer even contains omega 9, which can also have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. There is a lot in here that Bello, Luna and Co. need for beautiful hair. minerals like brewer's yeast, biotin, zinc and calcium also help to ensure that the dog's skin and hair are optimally cared for. Special additives provide these minerals and can simply be added to the feed. Our skin and fur powder is specially made to keep the coat healthy from the inside out.
What do I have to pay attention to when grooming stock-haired dogs?
Many popular dog breeds have stick hair. The stock hair is also the most typical coat of fur. Our dog's ancestor, the wolf, also has stock hair. Stick hair is characterized by a particularly dense undercoat. The typical coat change occurs in spring and autumn. Here is upgraded or downgraded quasi-seasonally. This leads to a lot of hair loss. During this time it's time to brush, brush, brush. Labradors, shepherd dogs, sled dogs - but also many other breeds have stick hair and need a lot of grooming, especially during the change of coat. In addition to daily brushing, it can make sense to seek professional help from a dog groomer. The professionals on site have helpful tools to put an end to the hairy madness. Warning: clippers are out of place here!
What is the right coat care for long-haired dogs?
Long-haired dogs require a lot of grooming. Not all, but many breeds with long coats also have long undercoats. They are particularly prone to tangles. Daily brushing is a must here. Matted areas should be with either special care products and a comb, or cut out. In any case, they have to go. Tangles that go down to the skin (and it happens quicker than you think) can lead to uncomfortable eczema on a doggo's body and invite bugs to nest. Typical dog breeds are Irish and English Setters, Bobtails or Tibetan Terriers. Ideal for grooming these breeds: combing spray.
Short-haired dogs - is that something for the care muffle?
Pinschers and certain types of terriers have short, low-maintenance coats. Here it is usually enough to brush every now and then. This way you can easily remove dust, pollen and small nodules from your pet's fur. Typical: Short-haired dogs lose fur all year round, but moderately. They usually have little or no undercoat.
What coat care for dogs with wire or rough hair?
Wire-haired dogs such as certain types of dachshunds and terriers or the German Wirehaired Pointer have a decisive “advantage” for their owners: they don’t shed. At the same time, however, this requires certain fur care. Because of the small barbs on the fur, the same does not fall out. It has to be "plucked", in technical jargon "trimmed". Wire hair is harsh, particularly robust and water-repellent. It grows, dies after a certain life cycle and remains in the dog's skin without appropriate trimming. A special groomer who knows how to trim will remove the dead fur so new ones can grow back. If the fur is not removed, it can lead to eczema in dogs. Every eight to twelve weeks it's time for a visit to the groomer. In no case should breeds with this coat be clipped. This damages the hair and thus the skin in the long term.
Does curly fur need special care?
Poodles, Spanish water dogs and Co. - they have a pretty curly coat. Strictly speaking, they belong to the long-haired breeds, but usually have only little undercoat, which hardly or not at all falls out. Since the dog does not change its coat, the coat not only has to be brushed regularly, but also shaved. This is part of grooming. Otherwise, it will keep growing, becoming dull and matted. The shearing should also be done by an expert, since there is a risk not only of unsightly hair, but also of dangerous mistakes.
Change of coat in the dog
In times of coat change, grooming plays a particularly important role in dogs. For most dogs, this lasts six to eight weeks and occurs in the spring and fall.
Change of coat in spring
Dog grooming becomes particularly important when it slowly gets warmer. Proper care of the dog's coat, especially at this time of year, also includes the right diet and the right brush. Support your furry friend during this time by combing it regularly, so you can recognize dandruff or parasites early on and avoid unnecessary itching for your dog.
During the change of coat, intensive grooming is essential for your dog and should not be neglected under any circumstances. A can be helpful here Comb spray without additives be.
Change of fur in autumn
In autumn, your dog says goodbye to his summer dress and exchanges it for a thick winter coat. Even during this time, your four-legged friend is happy about support in the form of oils or powders to prevent a nutrient deficiency and to care for the dog's fur.
Complications in grooming
If there are difficulties in caring for your dog's coat, severe dandruff or even skin irritation occurs, you should put your dog's health first and consult a veterinarian. Despite regular care, medical advice may be required.
In addition, it never hurts to get tips on grooming from experts again and again and to implement them in grooming. As with us humans, the topic of "care" is a very individual matter and depends on a variety of factors. For the sake of your dog's health, you should never take grooming lightly.
Dog grooming: Helpful products from this article summarized
The wide range of care products can often be overwhelming. In our last section, we have summarized all the products mentioned above in a clear manner.
Now nothing can go wrong with grooming, no matter what coat types need your help.
No dog owner should be without this in their shopping cart:
The right brush for your dog's coat length
A shampoo for dog fur and sensitive dog skin
Comb spray with a caring effect
Pure brewer's yeast to support the hair for every coat type
A fur clipper
