Yes, long hair dogs are really pretty to see having their beautiful coat colors. But you have to take care of those silky long hair Copyright: Unsplash I Source: Twitter Taking care of your dog is not only a matter of styling, but it also needs to be done for the health and welfare. This guide will help you with grooming secrets to keep your long-haired bestie looking and smelling good always!
For Long-Haired Breeds
Among the breeds with more hair (e.g. Golden Retriever, Afghan Hound and Shih Tzu) call for a little extra care to their coat compared to those of short-haired dogs Their hair is easily matted and snagged, which provides an appealing place for dirt to hide in. These problems can put your dog at risk of developing skin irritations, infections and they will simply be more uncomfortable. Step 1: Know Your Breed when pet grooming , it is important to recognize the specific and individual needs of his breed as well as his type of coat. There are also some long-haired breeds that have double coats, which means they have a soft undercoat in addition to their coarser top coat and both layers need special attention when grooming.
Brush: Root of grooming
Regular brushing is the basis for grooming long-haired dog breeds. This also helps detangle the fur of your dog, as well as distributes oils across its coat to promote a healthier and shinier appearance. A slicker brush is probably the perfect choice to remove loose hair and detangle most long-haired breeds. A pin brush may also be considered to gently go over the fur and separate them from their tangles. If you brush, go from the bottom of your hair and work all the way up to prevent strain on your skin. Be gentle but firm, concentrating on places where your pet is likely to have mats — primarily at the backs of ears and under legs or tail.
Bathing Your Long-Haired Dog
Bathing Bathing is also an essential part of grooming your pet, but caution should be exercised not to dry out Your skin. In most cases, long-haired breeds only need a bath every once in a while — usually one to two months is plenty— unless the pooch has soiled itself (who would ever guess dogs do this?) or needs regular baths for skin conditions as prescribed by your vet. Choose an appropriate dog shampoo with high quality matching the type of coat your pet has and then use a conditioner as well so that you keep the hair smooth, allowing it not to snuggle. When you bathe your cat, rinse her until the water runs clear; warm spots of moisture are where shampoo and conditioner can hang out to irritate skin and bunch up into mats.
Trimming and Haircuts
Many long hair dogs must be trimmed on a regular basis to maintain their coat in good order. Frequent trimming of the coat around the eyes, on feet and in pads among sanitary places is vital to manage hair length for these kinds due to longer growing out periods. Although some dogs will need professional grooming, in most cases you can do a basic trim with the right dog scissors or clippers at home. When it comes to full haircuts, which is particularly important for dogs with intricate coat patterns such as the Poodle or Cocker Spaniel, then you should leave this in the hands of a professional groomer. They know how to keep your pet neat and clean with the right tools for a breed-appropriate look.
Dealing with Mats and Tangles
Despite your best efforts, when it comes to long-haired dogs a matted or tangled coat is virtually inevitable. If you stumble upon a mat, do not pull it out by force; this can be painful and damage your dog’s skin. If one has formed, do not use scissors; instead either a dematting tool or your fingers to carefully ease apart the mat starting from the ends and working up toward your dog’s skin. In many cases, for as long as no wounds are open in your hair or scalp a brush is going to jüt do the task fine and get out all of those mats. But if you run into some REALLY bad ones that won’t come out with brushing, lightly use scissors to cut them away (obviously be careful only over places where there’s straight up matting.) The best way to keep mats from forming is regular brushing and making sure your dog’s coat stays at a reasonable length.
Nail Care and Ear Cleaning
Alongside coat care, do not neglect grooming in other areas like trimming nails and cleaning ears. Because of their floppy ears and long hair, they are prone to ear infections from moisture and dirt getting collected in them. Weekly care of your dog’s ears with a vet-recommended ear cleaner will also minimize the possibility of infections. Regular nail trims are a part of the grooming process. Having long nails will not only hurt but it can wreak havoc on your joints. Trim your dog’s nails every three to four weeks, depending on how quickly they grow using a doggy specific nail clipper or grinder.
How to Keep Your Dog Comfy While Grooming
Grooming is a stressful experience for the dog and especially if he/she is not used to it. To make the process easier on your dog, start grooming them from a young age so they will be used to being handled. Give many rewards (treats or praise) to have grooming be a calm and positive experience. If your dog appears stressed, then make sure to take breaks and do not exceed a concise grooming session rather than attempt to groom for an extended period all at once. As they get more and more comfortable with grooming, your dog will enjoy it just as much afterward.
Diet and coat health
Lastly, do not forget that a healthy coat is an inside job. Diet — the quality of your dog’s diet determines how healthy his coat will be. Make sure your pup is eating a balanced diet which contains proteins high in quality, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as vitamins that help to ensure healthy skin and coat. Supplements such as fish oil can also promote a healthier coat; always be sure to consult with your vet, prior to adding any new supplement into the diet of your dog.
Conclusion
Owning a long-haired dog takes time, patience and you need to have the right grooming tools for sure. Ensure your pup is clean, shiny, and smells good the whole year round by keeping a consistent routine of brushing them once or twice per day as needed in addition to giving regular baths (once every 4–6 weeks), getting their hair trimmed every few months up until summertime if they need it done more frequently depending on what type of fur you have), and taking care of ears & nails too. The outcome will be an aesthetically pleasing, comfortable and healthy dog. But grooming is a great time to bond with your dog and have other health issues checked. As long as you care for your lengthy hair dog properly, then they will be flourishing and keep on to remain a lovely companion who is forever happy plus healthy.
Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-black-poodle-with-its-tongue-hanging-out-KIIxvpYnckQ
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