grooming

The coat often reflects the state of health of your dog: a shiny coat shows that the dog is doing well, while dull, flaky or uneven coat often indicates deficiencies or parasites. For this reason, regular and careful grooming is essential. Caring for a dog's coat involves much more than just brushing and bathing, although these two measures are important. For certain breeds, it is also necessary to regularly clip or trim the coat to prevent matting, which can be not only unpleasant but also harmful to health.

Thorough grooming is essential for dogs to detect health problems early and to prevent tangles in the fur. Daily combing or brushing, especially after walks through woods and meadows, helps to quickly detect and remove parasites such as ticks and fleas. This is how you effectively prevent a possible flea infestation or tick attack.

Regular grooming, including brushing, massaging and using special dog hair care products, can take much less time than you might think if done correctly and routinely.

Brushing easily removes dirt so that bathing your dog is less necessary. At the same time, dead skin and hair comes off, and you can check the condition of your dog's skin. Often, bite wounds remain undetected after small or large scuffles, which can quickly develop into sources of infection.

During grooming, you can immediately recognize and treat scabs, ticks, fleas, and open, bald, or inflamed skin areas. Healthy new fur can grow back better and your dog's skin can “breathe”. A carefully performed grooming session also acts like a massage, which promotes blood circulation and strengthens the immune system.

Unkempt dog fur can quickly become scaly and itchy, and it tends to knot and mat. These tangles can literally suffocate your dog's skin. The possible consequences are many and varied, ranging from skin damage to infections to severe parasite infestations. When the fur is matted, the skin underneath lacks the necessary UV exposure and ventilation, which can easily lead to bacterial skin inflammation and even to weeping eczema. Fleas, mites and ticks thrive on warm, damp skin and can multiply undisturbed under matted fur. This can lead to serious health problems such as mange or eczema, which are not only unpleasant but also difficult to treat. Regular and thorough grooming is therefore essential to prevent these problems and ensure your dog's health.

Not every dog is a fan of grooming, as careless combing can cause painful pulling and tugging. Dogs who have had bad grooming experiences may react aggressively when they see a brush. However, you should not give up on grooming, but adapt your methods and approach, especially with sensitive or problem dogs.

The best time to start grooming is when your dog is still a puppy. Use particularly soft natural brushes and combine grooming with playful activities so that brushing becomes a positive experience for your dog. Puppies particularly enjoy a relaxing massage with the flat of their hand and it helps to get them used to regular grooming. By making grooming a pleasant and routine part of everyday life, you ensure that your dog accepts and even enjoys grooming.

Even older dogs who have not received grooming as puppies or who have had bad experiences with it can be introduced to grooming with patience and rewards. Start each grooming session with a pleasant experience: pet your dog on the areas he loves the most, be it his head or his tummy, and then repeat the motion with a soft brush. This will help to make the brush a positive and familiar object.

Make the brush a natural part of your dog's life by placing it among his toys or leaving it in his bed. This “grooming practice” should be repeated daily and combined with tasty rewards to encourage your dog to enjoy grooming.

It is important to note that grooming does not belong in the hands of children. Due to a lack of experience and fine motor skills, you can inadvertently cause the dog pain, which can lead to long-term negative associations and even psychological consequences.

The difference between long-haired and short-haired coats is easy to spot, but did you know that the amount of grooming your dog requires depends largely on the structure of his coat? Both short-haired and long-haired coats can be either single-layered or multi-layered.

A single-layered dog coat consists only of top coat hair, while a multi-layered coat consists of top coat hair and an undercoat. Breeds with two-layered coats, such as Leonbergers, Pugs, Golden Retrievers or Labradors, require special care. In these dogs, both the top coat hair and the undercoat gradually die off during the natural shedding process. It is important to remove these dead hairs with suitable brushes and combs, especially in spring and summer when the dog "sheds" its undercoat. During this time, the brush should be used daily, although the grooming routine can be a little shorter.

However, it is important to use the right tools. Certain trimmers and clippers can damage the coat by not only removing dead hair but also cutting off healthy, regrowing top coat hair. This can make the coat brittle and dull.

Breeds such as ridgebacks, whippets and greyhounds, as well as poodles, have a single coat. Poodles also have curly, long-growing hair that is often clipped. However, experts warn against cutting it too short, as the fur protects the sensitive skin underneath. Cutting it too short can lead to sunburn in summer and hypothermia in winter. Special brushes help to keep the coat free of matting.

Multi-layered dog coats are found in "weatherproof" breeds such as Nordic dogs, water dogs and livestock guardian dogs. Their coats can even consist of three layers if an intermediate coat develops in addition to the undercoat and the top coat. Although the grooming of these multi-layered coats can be seasonally intensive, the coat is usually very dense and strong and less prone to matting.

Interestingly, dogs with a single coat, such as Whippets or Dalmatians, also require a lot of grooming. Although their coat cannot mat, it is often very fine and the skin underneath is sensitive. Regular grooming is therefore essential for these dogs too.

Long-haired dog breeds require special and intensive care depending on the density and structure of their coat.

If your dog jumps into a mud hole or rolls around in cow dung, the decision as to whether a bath is necessary is probably clear. But what about everyday situations, for example after a walk on rainy forest paths or in parks?

The answer is: Bathing should be done as infrequently as possible and always with a gentle, moisturizing dog shampoo. A good shampoo that is specifically tailored to the needs of dogs ensures that the coat is clean without destroying the skin's natural oil layer.

Dog breeds such as Collies, Spitz or Belgian Shepherds have easy-care, simple long hair. This single-layered long hair should be thoroughly brushed and combed several times a week to avoid matting. Breeds such as the Briard or the Old English Sheepdog are more difficult to care for. Their thick fur mats easily and therefore requires special attention.

For demanding, multi-layered long hair with a lot of undercoat, such as Newfoundlands or Chow Chows, the care is particularly intensive. These breeds need to be combed and brushed almost daily. The critical areas on the head, muzzle, under the armpits and around the genitals and paws in particular should be combed or brushed daily, as they quickly become matted and then difficult to care for.

Regular grooming of these areas will prevent matting, which not only looks unsightly but can also cause health problems. Matted fur can suffocate the skin underneath, which can lead to infections and skin problems. By brushing and combing your dog regularly, you ensure a healthy, shiny coat and contribute significantly to the well-being of your four-legged friend.

Certain products and tools are essential for grooming long-haired dogs. A grooming comb and a brush form the basis of the grooming equipment, whether your dog is long- or short-haired. Plastic bristles and combs can cause electrostatic charge, which is why natural bristles or coated wire bristles are the better choice. These ensure gentle and effective grooming.

A grooming scissors is necessary to trim the hair in sensitive areas such as the genitals, in the ears and on the paws. Rounded scissors are particularly suitable for preventing injuries and ensuring safe grooming.

For the care of thick, stubborn undercoat, detangling rakes and special undercoat brushes are recommended. These tools not only help to loosen tangles, but also give the coat an extra shine. Thick, long, curly coats can be shaped with a little practice and a clippers.

If your dog sheds a lot, the undercoat brush is a valuable tool. It removes loose hair, skin particles and undercoat without damaging the top coat. The undercoat brush is particularly effective for dogs that shed heavily during the moulting season, and ensures that the coat remains healthy and well cared for.

Grooming long-haired dogs requires special care and attention. Start with a natural or wire brush and brush against the grain to remove dirt and loose hair. Then work your way through the coat from front to back, always brushing in the direction of growth. A practical tip is to lay your dog on its side and brush it with one hand while checking the skin and coat with the other hand.

Long-haired dogs require a lot of care during the shedding period. During this time, you should remove dead hair from your dog every day. A coarse-toothed comb is ideal for reaching the lowest layers of fur. Then use a finer comb to comb the top coat. If the coat allows it, hold it firmly while combing to prevent matting.

Dogs with a thick undercoat need a special undercoat brush to penetrate the dense hair mass and prevent matting. Small mats are best removed with your fingers. De-matting rakes or scissors are helpful for stubborn areas. The hair on your dog's back is particularly thick, where matting and parasites tend to settle. Make sure that these problem areas do not arise in the first place.

When grooming your dog's coat, it is also important to check his skin regularly. You should recognize changes such as redness, swelling or rashes early and consult a veterinarian if necessary. Careful grooming contributes significantly to your dog's health and well-being.

You may be asking yourself: is special grooming even necessary for my short-haired dog? The short answer is yes, short-haired dogs need regular grooming too. While short-coat grooming may seem easier, it still requires attention and care. The structure and density of the coat, the shedding pattern, and the average amount of hair loss determine the individual grooming needs. Some short-haired dogs only need a weekly brush, while others need regular trimming.

Many breeds with short, smooth fur have skin flora that regenerate slowly. After a bath, the skin needs longer to recover. Therefore, a bubble bath should be an exception for these dogs and only used when necessary. Always use a mild, lipid-replenishing dog shampoo to maintain the skin's natural protective layer.

There are suitable care products and tools for every short-haired dog. A soft brush or a rubber curry comb is excellent for removing loose hair and dirt. Regular brushing also stimulates blood circulation and ensures a healthy, shiny coat. It is important to get your dog used to regular grooming when he is a puppy. This will help to prevent skin diseases and other unpleasant consequences.

Short-haired dogs also go through a coat change, usually in spring and fall. During this time, they lose more hair. During the coat change, grooming should be intensified. Brush your dog more often to remove loose hair and massage the skin. A grooming mitt or rubber curry comb can be particularly effective for this.

Make sure to check your dog's paws and ears regularly. Trim the hair between the toes as needed and clean the ears with a special ear cleaner for dogs. These measures help to prevent infections and parasite infestations. In addition to external care, nutrition also plays an important role in coat health. A balanced diet with high-quality nutrients, especially omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, supports coat growth and ensures healthy skin.

In summary: even short-haired dogs need regular and careful grooming. With the right brushing, occasional bathing and regular checks, you can help to keep your dog healthy and happy.

For the grooming of your short-haired dog, there are a variety of accessories that are specially designed to meet his needs. A glance at the Emmi-Pet online shop shows that many grooming products developed for long-haired dogs can also be used on short-haired dogs.

[b]Basic equipment: fur comb and brush
A fur comb and a brush are indispensable for the care of short-haired dogs. These tools help remove loose hair and dirt and stimulate the skin.

Special tools: terrier combs and soft brushes
A terrier comb is ideal for dogs with short, bristly hair, while soft brushes are essential for the delicate puppy coat and the velvety fur of dog breeds such as Whippets and Galgos. These brushes prevent skin irritation and ensure a pleasant grooming experience.

[Trimmers and trimmer blades
Short-haired dogs with a lot of undercoat need special trimmers and trimmer blades to maintain the dense undercoat. These tools help to thin the coat and prevent matting.

[Detangler and thinning scissors: Detanglers or thinning scissors are recommended for dense and curly coats. They thin the coat and prevent matting. These tools are especially useful for short-haired dogs that have a denser coat.

Grooming brush: For dogs and cats with short or long hair, the grooming brush with a hair removal tool is an excellent tool. It effectively removes dead top hair and undercoat without damaging the healthy fur.

Special dog shampoos
If a bath is necessary, use special dog shampoos that are tailored to your dog's coat type. These shampoos gently cleanse the coat and maintain the skin's natural protective layer. If you are unsure about how to use the tools properly, it is advisable to seek advice from an experienced breeder or a professional groomer. Experts can clearly explain how to use the utensils so that you feel more confident and can provide your dog with a pleasant grooming experience.