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Importance of Brushing
Common Brushes
Short Coat - A soft bristled brush is perfect for this
coat type. While not strong enough to penetrate deeper in a
long-coated dog, on a short coat, this brush is ideal for
removing dead hair and spreading the skin's natural oils.
Long Wavy or Wire Coat - A pin brush is best for this
type of coat. The straight pins will go deep enough to pull out
the dead hair that causes matting and also expel any hitchhikers
Long Curly or Silky Coat - The ever-versatile slicker
brush. This is the most common pet brush you see, the one with
the flat, rectangular head, and bent wire bristles. This brush
can be used for any coat, but is best on a long soft coated dog.
Use it to work out tangles that come with curls and to keep the
straight silky coat soft and shiny.
Combs and Gloves
Wide-toothed combs are used to clean the undercoat of dogs with
heavy, dense fur that regular brushes can not penetrate, like
Malamutes and Chow Chows. A comb with closer-set teeth pull any
lingering dead hair out after the majority of the work is done.
Hound gloves are unique brushes that you wear like a glove.
Semi-soft rubber bristles on one side loosen dead fur in short
coats, and the wire bristles on the opposite side strip the dead
hair away. Because of the feeling of being caressed, a dog who
fights the brush will generally sit for a hound glove.
Now that you've removed any unwanted hair, it's time for that
bath!
Brushing Is Basic
All dogs should be brushed. Brushing is basic to maintaining a
clean and healthy coat. Frequent brushing loosens and removes
scale, dirt and dead hair; distributes the natural oils
throughout the coat and helps prevent tangles in long hair. How
often this should be done and how much times it takes depends
upon the haircoat of the individual dog. However, brushing every
day is recommended during spring and fall when shedding can be
very heavy to help control loose hair. Always brush the dog
before bathing to remove dead hair and mays from the coats of
longhair dogs.
A brush with natural bristles is popular for removing dead hair.
Use a brush with correct bristle length - short for medium and
shorthaired dogs, long for longhaired dogs. Another option for
many medium and longhaired breeds is a brush with fine bent-wire
teeth called a “slicker” or “carder.” For shorthaired breeds a
hound mitt with short bristles on one side that you can slip
over your hand is very effective. Brushes and other grooming
equip-ment are available at pet shops and knowledgeable pet shop
personnel can help you make the appropriate choice for your
dog’s type of coat.
It’s important to get the brush down to the skin as massaging
action helps loosen and remove dandruff flakes. Most longhaired
breeds are brushed in layers from the skin outward. Then brush
with the lay of the hair for the final touch. A dog is not groomed if only his back and upper body are brushed. Train the dog to lie on either side and lift its front and then its back legs for underbody brushing. This is particularly important for longhaired dogs because mats often develop in this area. Some dogs object to this and it is necessary to experiment with the most satisfactory way to handle them. Sometimes resting the dog’s foot in the palm of the hand and using gentle strokes solves the problem. Some dogs may like to lie on their back or only one side. Others never like this aspect of grooming no matter how they are handled. If this is the case, be firm and let the dog know this step in the grooming procedure must be followed. Be as gentle and quick as possible, praise the dog for being good and reward him with a treat such as Purina ® Bonz dog snacks or Purina ® Dog Biscuits.
Mats and Tangles
If a longhaired dog is not groomed daily, mats and
tangles can be a serious problem. Sometimes tangles can
be brushed out. If the coat is matted, try using your
fingers to pull the mat apart and then brush the hair in
place. If the mat cannot be worked apart with the
fingers, grooming preparations are available that
lubricate the mats so they are easier to comb out. If
combing will not work, the mats must be cut off. Gently
pull the mat away from the dog’s body, then carefully
cut the hair between the mat and the skin. Blunt-edge
scissors are recommended to help prevent injuring the
dog if he should wiggle during the cutting procedure.
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