Dog Grooming Hints

One of the best things about Basset Hounds is that you don’t have to spend a fortune at professional dog groomers to get your hound looking his or her best. You can do the grooming yourself. Grooming is a great way to spend quality time with your Basset Hound, check his or her health and incorporate training. But you do need to pay attention to some aspects of Basset Hound grooming in order to do the best job you can for your dog.

The Ears

Floppy Basset Hound ears are glorious, but they don’t get the circulation that dog ears need in order to stay healthy. The ears need to air out every now and then. If your Basset Hound sleeps so that the ear canals are exposed to the air, then you don’t have to worry so much. If not, you need to gently flip the ear back so the ear canal gets some air.

Since Basset Hounds can be prone to ear infections, be sure to check the ears every day. Healthy ears should smell sweet. You also want to check for any heavy discharge. You can clean out any extra wax or grunge on the outer ears with an ear wipe made for dogs. Never poke anything inside the ear canal.

The Wrinkles

The slight wrinkling of a Basset makes their expression priceless. But dirt and grime can get caught in those characteristic wrinkles. The face is a hard place for a dog to groom. You should check the wrinkles and wipe them out every day, perhaps after your Bassett’s walk. This is also can help any extra dirt from getting into your carpet or fabrics.

Not So White

Ever wonder how the Basset Hounds in magazines and dog shows manage to have the white parts of their coats stay so white? Their groomers use a whitener. But it is normal for a Basset Hound’s white parts to look a bit stained or dingy. Unless your Hound is scratching, chewing and has inflamed skin, there’s no need to worry about not so white whites.

Shedding

Short haired dogs like Basset Hounds shed a lot, but especially around spring. Living in air conditioning and central heating can confuse the dog’s body, making it confused as to when to be growing a winter coat and when to be shedding. If you want to live with a Basset, get used to shedding. What are a few million hairs between friends?

To help the shedding on a little, you can get what’s called a shedding blade from your pet store or your veterinarian. When you use a shedding blade, you want to use long motions as if you are peeling the skin off of a carrot. It will make a soft noise. Your dog might make a bigger noise, but used properly, a shedding blade can’t hurt your dog.

No dog or breed is ever ‘maintenance free’ but some are a little higher maintenance than others. Someone who is looking for a furry loving companion but doesn’t want any responsibility should get a plant. Those who simply want a dog that is a little self-sufficient there are a few key points to follow to find a dog that fits into a laid back lifestyle.

1) Find an older dog that has been spayed or neutered, a must for every pet.

Just like teenagers, hormones can play a big role in a dog’s life. A dog that has not been fixed can be expected to wander, fight with other dogs and generally be harder to handle and train. Spaying/neutering not only make for a calmer dog but also a healthier dog. Having a dog spayed/neutered by six months of age will have an effect almost immediately. Afterwards when a dog reaches a year to two years of age, depending on the individual dog, behaviour becomes even more calm and reliable.

2) Look at the body type.

While this step is not 100% accurate, it can definitely help steer you in the right direction. Avoid working breeds or mixes high with these breeds. Many dogs have been bred to serve a specific purpose such as herding, hunting and tracking. These dogs usually have longer legs and leaner bodies. German Shepherds, Dobermans, Collies and Labradors have all been bred as working dogs and typically require more exercise than other breeds. Also stay away from most Terrier breeds that are also high energy dogs. Bull dogs and Basset Hounds are good examples of low energy dogs. Avoid choosing a dog just because it is short or has short legs though, breeds such as Dachshunds and Corgis are small but very high energy.

3) Choose a dog that has short hair.

Long haired dogs obviously need to be groomed more often. Grooming is important to maintain the health of your pet, not just style. Long haired dogs more often catch burrs or other debris that can lead to matting or help hide parasites. Choosing a short haired dog cuts down the need for grooming significantly, although make sure not to ignore grooming completely. Any dog, regardless of how short the hair is, needs occasional grooming and nail trimming to help maintain health.

Finding a dog to fit a laid back lifestyle is not an impossible task, it just takes a little searching. It is important to keep in mind that all dogs are dependent on their owners for proper care, training and love. To simply leave any animal to its own devices is abandonment and the exact opposite of what your loving new companion deserves. Keep your dogs healthy and happy and they will return your love ten-fold!