Dog Grooming Hints

The best breed depends on the family, housing, time you have to devote to grooming and training……

If you have young kids you want a pet that can keep up with them but can still withstand what the kids will dish out.

Take into consideration your yard. Apartments or townhouses are not the best environments for most dogs unless you’re prepared to walk the dog a couple times a day.

Does the dog have long or short hair? Makes a big difference in the amount of time you will spend grooming. Keep in mind some breeds are prone to skin problems and have to be brushed and properly groomed to keep the skin healthy.

When training, some breeds are easier than others. All dogs need to be trained and some will still need supervision and plenty of refresher training sessions.

Labs are excellent for busy, playful kids of all ages and are easily trained but require a good yard with a high fence and lots of exercise. They’re good at escaping too.

Some terrier breeds are great. Milder personalities such as the Cairn or Westie are great for kids of all ages as long as they are carefully trained, which isn’t an easy task (all terriers require training and supervision), as they can take anything a kid can dish out. Scotties can handle things well too but can be agressive. All terriers need lots of exercise and are very adept at escaping even the best fenced yard. Countersink the fence and check regularly for holes.

Unless the children are older I would avoid smaller breeds that are prone to snapping such as Cockers, Shih Tzus, Pomeranians, Poodles, Mini anythings, Yorkies….

Grooming your Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a high spirited little dog that a great companion. I have enjoyed each and every one that ever came into my grooming shop over the last 15 years. They have such great personalities that easy to care for and great for people with little experience of dog ownership. They can be a bit bossy, but they are very friendly and bright. They love to be pampered and don’t require much grooming to feel top dollar.

They are dainty and can have a fragile build. Their coats are long, straight and have a bit of a coarse texture with a dense and fluffy undercoat. This double coat is great protection from the elements and will shed during the spring and autumn months.

This dense coat requires that you brush them at least twice a week, with more needed during the months of shedding. Use a slicker and pin brush and then an undercoat rake. If matts have formed use a splitter comb to break them up and brush out the matt. Brush from the back to the neck away from the body to achieve the lion like mane around the head.

Hold the matt from the skin and work the splitter from your fingers moving forward keeping pressure in the back. It will be less painful. After breaking up the matt, use the comb to loosen the cut pieces until the matt is gone.

Debris can gather between the pads of their feet, about once a month clip the hair between the pads and around the paw. If they are not kept clean it can lead to health problems with lameness being a result. It is best if you can use clippers with a #10 blade between the pads for a more even result.

You will need to trim his coat about once a month all over the body. Just scissors will do follow the contour of the body to give an even appearance all over. Comb the fluff along the legs away from the body and trim evenly down the leg the length you desire.

Urine and feces being caught up in the fur is best handled by keeping the stomach and rear area cut with a #10 blade. Pomeranians are not shy, and should take to grooming well. They relish in the attention. If you do not feel confident with the clippers, find your local dog groomer saloon and set up an appointment. It helps with their general health and you will enjoy the sanitation.

Bathing should be done at least once a week or every two weeks; depending on their level of activity during walks. You will have to work the shampoo into that dense undercoat to reach the skin. Make sure that there is no leftover residue in that coat that can lead to skin irritation and infections. The breed usually has no problems with the use of a high powered hair dryer to reach the undercoat.

After all grooming is done you will now see your little joy shine. They usually parade around with head held high and each step exaggerated. It is like the royalty has arrived on the scene and they know they are special.

For some of you dog owners, this article will simply be common sense. For other owners, however, this information might just be a real eye-opener. If you really want your dog to be as healthy as possible, than take a few minutes to make sure you’re really doing all you can to ensure your dog’s good health by reading this article.

Of course, proper nutrition is essential to your dog’s health. Making sure your dog has the necessary vaccinations, heart worm tests and preventatives and fecal tests done annually is also imperative for your dog’s very survival. But what about grooming your dog? Isn’t that just something that people who show their dogs or people with long-haired dogs need to be concerned about? Absolutely not! Dog grooming is something that every conscientious dog owner should concerned with.

So what’s the big deal about dog grooming? Let’s take a look and see. First, the obvious: it makes your dog look good and healthy. But it also makes him feel good too. Brushing your dog makes the skin and hair coat healthy by bringing up the natural oils in the skin that nourish and protect your dog’s coat.

Grooming your dog serves other important purposes as well. It keeps the shedding problem down, which is a big concern for the indoor dog. Grooming on a regular basis (which means more than a couple of times a month) will also keep snarls and tangles out of your dog’s coat, which is a big problem on the legs and tails of dog breeds like Golden Retrievers (like mine), spaniels, Pomeranians and scads more.

Regular brushing also gives you a chance to closely examine your dog’s skin for possible problems. Some examples are flea and tick problems, hot spots, rashes, cuts or lumps. Catching some of these problems early may prevent disease or infection or even be the difference between life and death.

When you’re through brushing, don’t forget to check their ears (some breeds require cleaning more often than others) and their toenails (more for inside dogs…my two outside dogs keep their toenails trimmed down just fine all by themselves just running around.) The eyes and teeth are important too, but your vet will examine them on your annual visits.

And what about those who just don’t have the time or desire to make dog grooming a priority? Ever heard of a professional dog groomer? Take the time to find a reputable groomer, or get a recommendation from a trusted dog owning friend. A seasoned dog groomer can give you some great tips for grooming in between visits, and are often a great source for tips on keeping your dog healthy.

Will grooming alone ensure good health for your dog? Of course not. But done regularly in conjunction with good nutrition and proper vet care, grooming your dog sure will give your dog a better chance at a long and healthy life.