Dog Grooming - It's Not Just for Poodles Anymore
Dog grooming is not simply an aesthetic bonus for our canine
friends. Maintaining a regular grooming schedule will help to
keep your dog both happy and healthy. Routine dog grooming will
ensure that your dog is free of parasites, has healthy skin and
a shiny coat, and has good dental health. Of course, the
aesthetic benefits are also a plus. Only a true dog lover wants
to be around a dirty, stinky dog with bad breath. Proper dog
grooming will bring out the best in man's best friend.
What's Involved in Dog Grooming?
While dog grooming can be performed at home, the best results
can be achieved via a professional dog groomer. A thorough dog
grooming session takes care of all the hygienic needs of your
dog. The grooming process generally takes a hour or two to
accomplish, but the results are well worth the time spent. A
typical dog grooming session consists of the following
treatments for your dog:
* A thorough bath including flea dip (if applicable) * A
complete coat brushing to eliminate tangles and matted hair *
Styling as requested (can include accessories such as bows,
rhinestones and bandannas) * Nail trimming * Ear cleaning and
examination for parasites * Teeth cleaning
How Often Should Dog Grooming Take Place?
The frequency with which your should groom your dog is dependent
on the breed and coat quality of your dog. Some breeds are
considered high maintenance in terms of dog grooming, while
others need only periodic care. Before you purchase or adopt a
dog, it's a good idea to find out how much grooming it will
require. A basic guide to dog grooming by coat type is as
follows:
* Curly-Coated - Dogs such as Poodles have a dense and curly
coat that is fairly resistant to water. These dogs will require
dog grooming at least once every two months, or six times a year.
* Short-Coated - Dogs with short dense coats, such as Corgis and
Boxers need a weekly brushing, but do not need to be bathed more
than once or twice a year unless a problem arises.
* Long-Coated - Long coated dogs, such as Collies and Sheepdogs,
require a daily brushing to keep their coats in good condition.
Additional dog grooming including regular bathing, should be
administered once every other month.
* Silky-Coated - Afghans, Cocker Spaniels and Pekinese dogs
belong to the silky coated dog group. These dogs require daily
brushing and a thorough dog grooming session four times a year.
* Wire-Coated - Wire coated dogs require considerable dog
grooming. Dogs such as Terriers and Schnauzers should be bathed
every three months and have their coat clipped every six to
eight weeks.
* Smooth-Coated - The smooth-coated class of dogs includes
Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers and Dachshunds. These
are very low maintenance dogs and require only weekly brushing
and bathing as necessary.
Whatever type of dog you own, it's important to see that proper
grooming is maintained for the health and happiness of your
canine companion.
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