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All dogs benefit from regular
brushing. Every dog, especially longhaired breeds such
as Pomeranians and Afghan Hounds, should be brushed
every day. Regular brushing stimulates blood flow and
helps remove dead cells and hair to give dogs healthier
skin and a shiny, more lustrous coat.
BRUSH TYPES
There are four basic types of
brushes used to groom dogs. Different dogs require
different brushes, depending on coat length, thickness
and texture. The four brush types are:
Slicker Brush –
Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, the slicker
brush has short bent wire bristles that grasp and remove
the undercoat. The slicker brush removes dead hair and
untangles small mats. A curved slicker brush with
heavier pins is very effective on longhaired dogs like
the Old English Sheepdog. A “gentle slicker,” a
lightweight brush with fine wire bristles, is
used on Poodles and toy breeds.
Pin Brush – Used on
longhaired dogs, this brush has long or short straight
metal pins with rounded ends. The pins are attached to a
rubber backing. The brush is usually oval in shape. When
using this brush, you should part and brush the dog’s
coat in layers, making sure to pull the brush through to
the hair ends. Pin brushes come in many varieties.
Smaller pin brushes are best for small dogs and larger
models for large breeds.
Bristle Brush –
Resembling the brushes used by people, this has softer,
non-metal bristles. Grooming with a bristle brush is a
two-step process. First, work the brush against the
direction of the dog’s coat to loosen dead skin and
hair. Then, brush in the same direction as the coat to
remove this matter.
Grooming Mitt (also called
Hound Brush) and Rubber Brush – Softer and flatter
than pin or bristle brushes, these grooming tools
usually mold themselves to the contours of a dog’s body
to massage the skin as they brush. When using these
products, brush in the direction of the dog’s coat.
COMBS
In addition to brushes, dog
owners should use combs to groom their pets.
Wide-toothed combs are used to remove the undercoat
in large dogs and double-coated breeds. A shedding
comb is good for removing excess hair during
shedding periods. (See also the Shedding Blades and
Rakes entry in this section.)
A standard dog comb
should have at least 1/8 inches of space between its
teeth, and the teeth themselves should be narrow. This
will allow the comb to penetrate the coat rather than
pushing it flat. A comb should be held parallel to the
dog’s skin when it is run through her coat. This will
prevent the comb’s teeth from raking the dog’s skin and
causing abrasions.
BRUSHES FOR DIFFERENT
COAT TYPES
Wire-Haired Coats (such as
the Airedale and Scottish Terrier) – These dense crinkly
coats are fairly easy to maintain when tended to
regularly. Groom a minimum of once or twice a week with
a steel pin and slicker brush. Begin by working against
the grain of the hair, and then repeat the process
working with the grain. The outer wiry coat has to be
clipped or hand stripped periodically because it becomes
soft when allowed to grow too long.
Smooth Short Coats (Doberman
Pinscher and Rottweiler) -- This is a low maintenance
coat, but the soft smooth coat should be brushed weekly
with a grooming mitt (rubber brush) to remove dead hair
and stimulate oil production for healthy skin. A bristle
brush can also be used for smooth coated dogs with
slightly longer hair. Breeds like the Beagle that have a
soft undercoat under a short, coarse outer coat should
also be groomed with a bristle brush once a week.
Curly Coats (Poodle and
Portuguese Water Dog) – Regular grooming and clipping
either at home or by a professional are essential to
keeping these thick curly coats looking beautiful. Groom
with a steel brush, followed by a wire slicker every day
to remove dead hair and protect against tangles.
Double Coats (Golden
Retriever and German Shepherd) -- These breeds have two
coats. In most cases, the inner coat is short, soft and
dense to help regulate body temperature through varying
weather conditions. The outer coat ranges from straight
and coarse as in the Pomeranian to soft and silky as in
the Yorkshire Terrier. Regular grooming will keep both
the inner and outer coat healthy. Groom with a slicker
brush to remove dead hair. A wide-toothed comb for dogs
with a harsh outer coat and a medium- toothed comb for
softer coats should be used to groom the undercoat.
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