All dogs have to be brushed, but the frequency varies depending on the breed, the type of hair or where the animal lives , so the advice we are going to give must be adapted to each circumstance.
Furthermore, this also depends on the type of brush, as there are some that are more “aggressive” than others and that remove a greater amount of dead hair.
Depends on hair length
Dogs can have three lengths of hair. Those with a short coat would be breeds such as the Doberman , the Pinscher or the Boxer . These have their hair very close to the body without us being able to pick it up with our hands (or it is very difficult for us).
You have to brush them twice a week, which will be more than enough to make their hair look shiny, removing any hair that is falling out and removing the dirt that is on it.
Then we have those with medium hair, such as poodles , the Irish setter or the American cocker spaniel, to which we must pay more attention. These will have to be brushed about three times a week .
Finally, there are long-haired dogs such as the Afghan hound , the Yorkshire terrier or the bobtail , in which case you have to brush them every other day, doing it daily when they are shedding.
In any case, if we feel like combing them more, nothing happens , and we can even do it daily if we use a soft comb that does not break their hair.
This frequency may change if the dog lives outdoors
In towns and even in urban areas with chalets, it is normal for some dogs to live outdoors, having their doghouse equipped to protect them from water and cold.
Here the frequency can change, lengthening the periods between styling sessions. In fact, with those with straight hair we could go a whole week without brushing them, and with those with medium hair we could comb them only once.
Of course , with long-haired dogs it is advisable to do it more or less in the same way, otherwise they tend to generate knots that will later be very complicated to remove, forcing us to use scissors in many cases.
How do we brush our dog?
A home grooming session has to be pleasant, which means that you have to pet the dog or give it a treat, in addition to brushing it gently so that it does not suffer from pulling, since our best is not going to like that at all. friend.
The position to do this varies depending on what the dog is like, because if it is small it will have to be put on a table or some high area. This way we will avoid straining the back and we will be more comfortable, which will prevent us from hurting the animal with the brush.
If it is medium or large, the dog can stay on the floor, while we sit on a chair or a bench on the street, always with the idea of keeping our back straight.
There is no order, although the normal thing is to start from the area behind the head and continue along the trunk, and then comb the legs. As a general rule, they accumulate more dead hair behind the head and on the hind legs, although we will soon know our dog's coat and know how to proceed.
Each type of hair has a specific brush
Not all combs work for every dog. Thus, it is best to buy one specifically for our pet's hair.
Smooth-coated animals need a mitten with small, plastic spikes . This is more than enough for the dead hair to come out and our dog will really enjoy the experience, as it will be like receiving a massage.
If the hair is of medium length, we will need a brush with long and flexible bristles. This is how we reach the birth, but by pulling we do not break the hair, nor tear it out, nor do we harm the animal.
With long hair we will need a pin brush, with long and very fine metal tines, and also a metal one with rounded tips, which we will have to use calmly, otherwise it will get stuck.
Another option that goes well with most dogs, regardless of the length of their hair, is what is called “Furminator”, which takes the name of the brand that has put it on the market .
It has been on sale for a few years and the hair it removes is incredible, especially when dogs have an undercoat or undercoat, which traditional brushes do not usually reach well. Of course, it can be a little aggressive, so we must allow a few days to pass between each brushing, especially if our dog has sensitive skin.
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