Does your dog need to be groomed every day, or is it okay if he goes a few days without getting cleaned up? It’s important for you to know how often you should groom your pup so that they stay healthy and happy. Here at Perfect Pooches, we are here to help. There are many different ways that grooming can benefit your dog, but the most important one is keeping them healthy. Let’s find out what the experts say!
What does Grooming include?
It is important to consider that grooming does not just include coats. Below is a list of services that are part of a professional groom. Grooming is important to keep your pooch looking best however is it just as important to ensure they are happy and healthy.
-
- Coat Care, including trim and de-shedding, and bathing
- Nail care
- Teeth check
- Hear check
Long Haired Dogs
Skye Terrier, Old English Sheepdog, Maltese
Breeds with long-haired coats will have long flowing hair, length can vary, however, some breeds will have a coat that can reach the floor. Long-haired coats require maintenance to prevent a matted coat and shedding. Daily brushes are required to ensure a healthy coat and skin, while they should see a professional groomer every 6-8 weeks.
When having your best friend groomed it is important to take into account the time of year. Many long-haired and double-coated dogs have been bred for colder climates. With this in mind, many dog owners choose to cut their coats right back in the summer.
Even with regular professional dog grooming, it is important that daily at-home grooming takes place. Special attention should be paid to your dog’s teeth and nails. While it is also crucial you check your dog has healthy skin to keep their coat looking its best.
Short Haired Dogs
Beagle, Bulldog, Greyhound, Weimaraner
Short-haired coats generally take much less maintains, as their shorter coats are much less likely to become matted. It is commonly thought that short-haired coats will shed less than long-haired coats, however, this is not true. Generally shorter coats and much denser and so tend to shed shorter hairs. It is best practice to brush daily to help reduce shedding, when brushing is done regularly short-haired dogs can go 2-3 months between grooms.
While with long-haired breeds the coat very much takes priority, while with short-haired the secondary grooming takes more priority. This includes checking they have healthy ears and skin, time is also spent to check for dead skin, other skin problems.
Show Dogs
Airedale Terrier, Poodle, Biewer Terrier
Are you planning on taking your pooch to dog shows? If the answer is yes then you have some grooming habits to consider. Most dogs take time to become used to the grooming process. As a show dog, it is like their will be groomed more than most. As such is it recommended you introduce grooming to them at an early age. This can be done at home or through professional training. It is a good idea to have a grooming schedule to help introduce them to the process and tools used. A great starting point would be to introduce your dog to for example the bath or the de-shedding combs without using them. This way your dog is used before true grooming begins.
Working Dogs
Border Collie, German Shepherd, English Cocker Spaniel
Will your dog be out in the field or with other animals daily? There is something special to see your pooch having the time of their life in a field or river. However, they may not thank you for the bath at the end of the day. With this in mind, if you know your dog will be in the mood a lot it is important to consider the length of the coat. The longer the coat the easier it will become matted and the more maintenance it will need. It is also worth working to acclimate your puppy with the cleaning process, this way it will become something they expect and the end of the day and not nothing to be avoided and ran away from.
The ideal frequency for grooming your dog will vary depending on the breed, their coat type, and how often they shed. We recommend brushing weekly or monthly with a pin brush to remove dead hair and mats. To avoid excessive shedding during seasonal changes, you can also give your pup an additional haircut in between groomings. This is where we come in! Contact Perfect Pooches today if you need help deciding what’s best for your pet based on their specific needs at 07931 715185 or view our service on our website.