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….

While many people feel that removing dew claws from newly born puppies is cruel, the trouble they can cause if left on is much more painful for the dog than most people think. I have bred Show dogs for over 40 years, and always have my puppies Dewclaws removed by my Veterinarian at three days of age. At most the puppy will give a little whimper, and within a minute is back safely with “mum”.

Many breeds are bred for a reason, Gun-dogs to Point or Retrieve, usually in rough scrub land. Some Terrier Breeds are bred for flushing game out of their lair in the ground, as are some of the Hound Breeds. If these dogs have not had their Dewclaws removed, the can rip them to the point where the are only just hanging on by a tiny bit of flesh.

Think how painful it is if you accidentally remove a hang nail and it touches the quick of the nail. Agonizing, isn’t it? Well multiply that pain by ten, and be aware that the poor dog may have to suffer for as long as it takes to reach a Veterinarian. The Dog then has to undergo an Anesthetic, followed by surgical removal of the offending appendage, it has to be stitched, necessitating a further trip to the Veterinarian to have the Stitches removed. Painful for the dog, painful for the owners Bank Balance. After all this has been done, if the owner wishes to continue hunting, there are three more chances for a similar accident to occur. Bearing this in mind, surely it is easier to remove the Dewclaws at birth.

On another point, having run a Dog Grooming Salon for ten years, I could not even begin to count the number of dogs that have come in with their nails more like talons than nails. Seeing this would make my heart sink, because, while it is relatively easy to shorten the nails, what many people do not realize is, that when Dewclaws are neglected, the grow in a circular pattern, eventually piercing the flesh on the dog’s leg, and that causes the dog so much pain while it is extracted from the flesh so it can be cut back. During the many years of evolution, dewclaws have basically become redundant, and I can see no point in leaving them on a dog, considering the accidents that can , an often does, happen to them.

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!