Dog Brushing
Dog
Brushing
Brushing
serves several purposes. It removes dirt and foreign objects (sometimes
called “hitchhikers”) from your dog’s coat, helps your dog feel
well, alerts you to certain skin health problems, and cuts down
on shedding. And it all starts with the right brush.
For
Dogs with Short Coats: Use a soft-bristled brush, which will easily
remove dead hair and help spread bodily oils over your dog’s coat,
creating a healthy gloss. Bristle brushes have soft straight bristles
on a flat base. Because this design doesn’t penetrate as deeply
as others, it works best for short coats.
For
Dogs with Long Wavy or Wire Coats: Use a pin brush. The pins will
go deep enough to pull out the dead hair that causes matting, and
will also expel any “hitchhikers.” Pin or wire brushes have straight
metal bristles on a rubber base. This brush provides deep penetration
and is excellent for fluff-drying long fur and heavy undercoats.
For
Dogs with Long Curly or Silky Coats: Use a slicker brush. These
are easy to find almost anyplace animal brushes are sold; they have
a flat, rectangular head, and bent wire bristles. Such brushes work
out curly tangles and keep straight coats soft and shiny. A slicker
brush is the most versatile tool, working well for a variety of
coats. The short, bent, wire bristles grab and remove loose undercoat
hairs, and frequent use helps prevent matting.
For
Dogs with Especially Dense, Heavy Fur: Use a wide-toothed comb,
which will go where no brush can possibly reach. The more teeth
there are on the comb, the better a job it will do at getting rid
of dead hair.
A newer
innovation is the “hound glove.” These are worn on your hands (just
like any other glove), but have semi-soft rubber bristles on the
palm. Some also have wire bristles on the top of the hand. Dogs
who hate being brushed are more likely to succumb to hound gloves,
since it may make them feel like they’re being pet, instead of merely
brushed. A hound or grooming glove features rubber nubs or short
bristles on a flexible cloth base that fits over your hand. This
glove works best on short coats, but the sensation of being petted
with a hound-gloved hand makes it a favorite of all dogs!
When to Brush
Dogs
with long coats should be brushed daily. Short haired dogs may only
need brushing two or three times a week How often you need to brush
and comb your dog depends on his coat and lifestyle. Dogs with longer
hair that spend a lot of their time romping outdoors typically require
the most grooming. If you’re unsure how often to brush your dog,
ask your veterinarian for his advice.
Always
brush your dog before you bathe him, too. This loosens dirt and
dander from his coat, helps you spot and remove any foreign objects
get rid of dead hair, and allows your dog’s natural oils to circulate
and benefit his entire coat.
In
addition, make sure you brush your medium to long-haired dog each
time he gets wet, because even a simple run through a sprinkler
may be enough to get his hair matted, but a prompt brushing will
take care of the problem.
How to Brush
Many
dog breeds have a “double coat:” an outer (or “guard”) coat, and
an undercoat. Don’t make the mistake of brushing only the outer
coat; if you do, your pet is likely to become a matted mess.
Begin
brushing at the head, working toward the tail and down the legs.
If you begin by brushing in the opposite direction of your dog’s
hair growth, this will help loosen dead hair. Afterwards, brush
the same direction his fur grows, paying particular attention to
the legs and flanks, and areas that easily mat. A pin brush can
be used to fluff the coat by brushing against the direction of hair
growth. Regular brushing will help distribute the natural oils from
the skin, producing a healthy, shiny coat. Brushing several times
a week is recommended for most dogs.
If
any of your dog’s hair is matted, it’s important to remedy the problem
as soon as possible, as matted hair can lead to skin irritation.
First, try to gently remove the mat with a comb (or just your fingers).
Nonetheless, no matter how patient you are, sometimes matted hair
must be cut out. Just be sure to use blunt-tipped scissors, so that
your dog doesn’t accidentally get a puncture wound if he shifts
as you’re cutting.
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