Dog Grooming Hints

Why People Love Miniature Schnauzers

I believe the miniature schnauzer to be one of the great undiscovered pets of the large dog lovers of the world. Many a big-dog lover has scoffed at my little miniature schnauzer, thinking that because he is a small dog, he can’t be much fun. I believe in fact, that the miniature schnauzer often believes he is a big dog trapped in a small dog’s body. This is why all types of dog lovers can come to adore the miniature schnauzer.

My husband is a shining example of why the miniature schnauzer should not be judged for his size. When I brought our little mini “Max” home from the Humane Society, I could tell my husband was less than thrilled. Always having been a big-dog kind of guy, he couldn’t see how this 21-pound little guy was ever going to keep up. Boy did Max prove him wrong.

Athletic

The miniature schnauzer is surprisingly athletic for a little dog. Our mini Max can climb mountains like a billy goat, leap from a stationary position up to four feet in the air, and keep pace with a fast-moving vehicle. His athleticism does have its limits. Although he has learned to swim, his skinny stick-legs are rather inefficient at paddling through the water. Swimming certainly is not his favorite, but he still has the determination to do it when needed.

Temperament

The miniature schnauzer is a little dog with a big personality. Look into the eyes of a mini, and you will see what I mean. This dog will love you to pieces every time you come home, even if you just left five minutes earlier. He will sense when you are sad or ill and snuggle up against you to make you feel better. He also knows when it is time to play, and loves a good session of rough-housing.

Ideal Family Dog

The miniature schnauzer really is ideally suited to family life. He can play and rough-house with the dad, get tender loving attention from the mom, and be hours of entertainment for the wee ones. He will also keep the family in shape, whether it is through the daily walks that he looks forward to with glee, or trips to the dog park where he can run free.

Non-allergenic

In addition to all of these unique qualities, there is one aspect of this breed that really makes the “miniature schnauzer an ideal pet. Although you do need to take your mini to a groomer regularly, or “groom him yourself, his coat is ideal in that he does not shed! This means no dog hair to clean up after and no issues if a family member has allergies.

In the end, Max won my husband’s heart and to this day my husband insists that Max is now “his dog” even though I was the one that picked him out. I had to do a little convincing in the beginning to get my big-dog lover to open his heart to this small guy, but five years later they are the best of buds.

Dog grooming is the basis for preventive health care for your dog and puppy. It gives you a chance to see small changes in and on your dog’s body that could lead to health concerns such as a lump or problems in his ears or with his teeth.

Dog grooming can be a time of further bonding with your dog. This is some serious one on one time when he gets loads of your attention.

So what do you do and when do you start grooming your dog and puppy? As with most things with your puppy, you need to introduce him to dog grooming slowly and help him be comfortable with it. Start with short sessions of about five minutes and work up to the whole routine as he adjusts.

Begin with brushing and combing. There are several different grooming tools used for brushing and which you use depends upon the breed of your dog and the type of coat he has. Ask the breeder you got your puppy from for the proper techniques.

Brushing should be done before you bathe your dog or puppy. Bathing your puppy should begin when he is about 14 weeks old or sooner if he is a very dirty dog. Most dogs should need bathing only once a month unless he gets dirty. Wherever you decide to bathe your dog, bathtub, sink or some type of tub, place a rubber mat within to give him something secure to stand on so he won’t slip around.

Soak down his body but not his face. Keep water out of his ears. You may wish to block his ear canals with cotton balls to prevent the water from getting into his ears. Lather up your wet dog with a dog shampoo. Rinse well. Any leftover shampoo in his coat is likely to cause dryness or skin irritation. Wipe his face off with a damp cloth. Squeeze off the excess water and then towel dry your dog. Complete the drying process with either a hair dryer set on warm, not hot, or by leaving him in a warm room until dry.

Be aware that a dog will shake just as soon as you release him. This is why some people want to run their dog outside quickly after a bath on a leash to prevent him from rolling and getting dirty again. If this is not an option, such as in winter, you may wish to consider a professional groomer.

A professional groomer may be a consideration for some of the more difficult haircuts and dog grooming considerations such as the stripping required by some wire-haired breeds. This depends upon your ability to do the required tasks and your desire to do them as well.

copyright 2005. Sandra Dinkins-Wilson