Getting your puppy accustomed to being handled from a young age will make puppy grooming tips easier throughout its life. Each dog breed has specific grooming needs, and understanding these is essential for maintaining a healthy coat.
The basics of puppy grooming tips
In addition to maintaining your puppy’s coat health and eye, ear, and nose hygiene, grooming is an excellent way to become familiar with your puppy’s healthy skin, making it easier to notice any abnormalities with puppy grooming tips.
How to care for your puppy's coat
Close-cropped hair
Breeds with short hair, like Dalmatians, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Great Danes, don’t need regular grooming but should be brushed once or twice a week. Use a rubber brush against the hair to loosen dead skin and hair, then remove the debris with a bristle brush in the direction of the hair to prevent irritation.
Breeds with short to medium hair, such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Border Collies, should be brushed every other day due to their dense coats, which may include both a topcoat and an undercoat.
Start with a slicker brush against the direction of the coat to loosen dead hair and skin and strip the undercoat. Then, use a bristle brush in the direction of the hair to remove the debris.
A wide-tooth comb can be used on the tail and paws to gently remove debris and tangles.
Long hair
Long-haired coats require daily brushing to maintain their beauty. For breeds like Afghan Hounds, this can take up to an hour each day. Use a slicker brush to gently work in the direction of the hair to loosen knots and mats, being careful not to pull the skin.
Use a wide-tooth comb to untangle hair, particularly under the chest and legs. Trimming the hair to an even length with scissors can help prevent knots and foreign bodies from accumulating.
Coarse hair
Coarse-haired breeds like Irish Terriers and Schnauzers require their coat to be stripped four to five times a year. This grooming process involves using a stripping knife to trap dead hairs between the knife and thumb. When done correctly, this technique is not painful for the dog. It’s advisable to consult with a professional groomer before attempting this method.
Curly hair
Poodles, Bichon Frises, and other curly-haired breeds have unique coat care requirements compared to other breeds. While they shed less, making them often hypoallergenic, their coats are prone to matting and need daily brushing.
Use a slicker brush to gently remove debris and comb out tangles throughout their entire body. Pay special attention to their legs, paws, and undersides to remove any foreign objects that may have collected during walks.
