March 24th, 2020 by Amy Varley

With all the bad weather we’ve been having, your dog is bound to require more grooming than usual! There are a number of different coat types present in different breeds of dogs, many of these were bred into the dog for a reason, either for looks or practicality (for example working breeds). It’s important to know how to groom your dog’s coat-type as keeping your dog in prime condition helps to prevent a build-up of dirt and knots, keeping your dog healthy and happy! Here’s our handy guide to help decide which are the best methods for the coat type your dog has!

Smooth haired

Arguably, with their coat being short, dogs such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Vizslas, Weimaraners and French Bulldogs are the easiest to groom – however, this doesn’t mean their coats should be neglected! Their short coats still shed and require frequent brushing to remove the loose hair and dirt, and of course to keep their coat looking it’s best! A soft bristle brush or a rubber grooming mitt should suffice. This will also massage your dog and stimulate the release of natural oils in the skin, ensuring the coat is kept shiny and keeps it from drying out!

Double Coated

Double coated dog breeds include the German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Husky and Pomeranian. These breeds have a soft undercoat with a longer topcoat (known as guard hairs) which helps to keep dirt and moisture away from your dog’s skin. Double coated breeds shed a LOT and sometimes, it may seem like no amount of brushing can lessen the number of hairs flying around your house.  However, the only way to keep on top of this is regular grooming! When dead and loose hairs are left in a double coat, they tangle with the topcoat causing knots and mats. Therefore, it is essential to remove them! An undercoat rake followed by a slicker brush is one of the easiest ways to groom double-coated dogs, with the rake removing any loose undercoat and the slicker brush keeping the guard hairs looking silky! A wide-tooth comb can be used first to remove any tight knots or mats.

Curly-Coated

The rise in poodle crosses over the past couple of decades has seen an increased number of curly-coated dogs – requiring some tricky grooming! These coats need regular brushing to keep mats at bay, whilst also needing semi-regular clipping. A common misconception is that these dogs don’t shed – when actually the tight curls keep a hold of the loose hair, causing them to tangle, causing knots which can lead to itchy and irritated skin. This is why it is essential to groom these dogs regularly, whilst also removing any other debris that could be hiding in those curls! A regular clip by a professional groomer (or a DIY job at home if you’re brave!) can help to keep your dog’s coat more manageable. A long-pin comb is good for removing any deep tangles – along with any grass seeds, burrs or thistles that seem to be attracted to these coats! This, combined with a slicker brush for the surface coat, and giving special attention to areas that are prone to matting (behind the ears, legs and armpits), should help you to keep on top of your dog’s coat.

Silky haired

Silky haired dogs, such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Lhasa Apso and the Cocker Spaniel require a lot of attention for their coats to be kept looking their best! The hair on these dogs is often long and flowing and needs daily brushing to keep those knots at bay! A pin brush can be used for the whole coat followed by a fine-toothed comb with effort made to get right to the base of the hair and not just the topcoat. Attention should be given to the dog’s chest and leg areas as these are the areas most at risk of knotting. The fine-toothed comb should let you know if there are any remaining knots in your dog’s coat which then can be combed out! Often these dogs are clipped to make their coats more manageable – especially working breeds such as spaniels – who love nothing more than muddy puddles! The silky coat type attracts the most dirt and debris and because of this require more bathing than other dogs, around once every six weeks should keep your dogs coat in tip-top condition!

Wire Haired

A number of terriers and also some larger dogs have double coats with a wiry topcoat. These dogs include the Border Terrier, Wirehaired Dachshund, Affenpinscher and Schnauzer. These dogs should not really be bathed often as bathing can remove the natural oils from the coat. When the hairs in the topcoat become loose, they can tangle with the new hairs growing in which in turn causes matting. This is easily rectified in these coats, with regular use of a slicker brush or a comb, making sure to get to the base of the coat. Around twice a year the dead hairs of these coats can be removed in a practice called ‘stripping.’ Stripping a dog’s coat can be done either with a stripping knife or your thumb and index finger. Many professional groomers prefer to use finger and thumb as using a knife can sometimes cut the hairs which damages them. When a wire-haired dog is looking quite shaggy, using the tips of your thumb and index finger simply pull a few hairs at a time out of your dog, in the direction the coat grows. If the hairs are ready to be removed, they will come out very easily. Stripping your dog is very time-consuming leading to your dog getting very bored so often best left for a professional to do for you. This is the best way to keep a wire-haired dog looking its best, with the removal of the dead hairs stimulating your dog’s skin and allowing new hairs to grow in, keeping the coat shiny – whereas simply cutting wire-haired coat damage it and leaves it looking dull.

What Shampoo Should I Use for Each Coat Type?

All of the coat types above can be washed using our Gentle Touch shampoo – suitable for puppies and dogs aged 6 weeks and above, perfect for you to start using from the day you bring your puppy home! Gentle Touch shampoo contains extra glycerine oil which reduces dryness; conditioning your dog’s skin and coat, cleans, deodorises and helps to detangle knots – brilliant preparation for a good grooming session with your dog!

Pretty Pooch Dog Shampoo 2L - Baby Powder Fragrance

Price: £12.95

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How to Keep Your Pooch Smelling Fresh for Longer

Once you’ve finished brushing your dog why, not try using our Doggy Deo Spray to finish off? It’s brilliant for giving your dog that extra spritz to really make them smell beautiful! Doggy Deo can also be used in between grooms – those times when your dog is just a little smelly but doesn’t need a proper bath!

Pretty Pooch Doggy Deo Deodoriser Spray 250ml

Price: £10.00

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