Let’s face it: Pet Parents have a lot on their plates. While most pet parents have mastered the pattern of feeding, playing, and taking the dog out, many pets are losing out on a constant grooming regimen.
Grooming your dog is a terrific method to keep him healthy and looking nice, as well as to keep his hair, skin, ears, paws, and other sanitary areas clean.
While time varies by dog breed, the American Kennel Club recommends having your dog groomed once a month for most types. Grooming your dog on a regular basis will help avoid matting and tangles. When moisture trapped behind a matted coat causes skin irritation or infections, matting can swiftly grow if left untreated. Grooming is thus a preventive measure that should not be disregarded.
Grooming, on the other hand, is not a “one-size-fits-all” service, and some dogs may require more grooming maintenance than others. So here’s a short reference tool to help you figure out how frequently your dog should be brushed, washed, or properly groomed.
Every dog is different, and so are their grooming requirements. The length, texture, and density of your dog’s coat will determine how frequently they require their hair combed, trimmed, and washed. Though grooming requirements vary by breed, certain solid criteria exist for various types of dog hair.
We’ll go through grooming requirements for short-haired dogs, long-haired dogs, dogs with thick undercoats, dogs with silky hair, terriers, and dogs with curly hair in this post.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD SHORT-HAIRED DOGS BE GROOMED?
Short-haired dogs, predictably, require less grooming than long-haired canines. Short-haired dogs do not require trims unless medically necessary. Otherwise, haircuts might be damaging to short-haired dogs due to the near proximity of the cutting to their skin.
That doesn’t mean your short-haired dog’s coat isn’t in need of some TLC. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, daily brushing helps maintain your dog’s skin and hair healthy by removing dirt and spreading oils.
When short-haired dogs are shedding, use a curry-type brush on them (which can be any time of year for short-haired dogs, according to VCA). Brushing your short-haired dog at least every other day is recommended since loose hairs stuck in the undercoat might irritate their skin.
Curry brushes are most effective on dogs with short, silky hair, such as Pitbulls, pugs, and Boston terriers. If you have a Labrador retriever or a German shepherd, we recommend purchasing a Furminator.
Dogs with oilier skin types benefit from a bath every 4 to 6 weeks. Otherwise, every 6 to 12 weeks, dogs should be bathed.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD LONG-HAIRED DOGS BE GROOMED?
In a nutshell, every day. If you want your dog’s coat to last longer, brush it twice a day.
Greyhound combs are ideal for dogs with long hair. It’s the most effective method for removing tangles that form near the skin, where they do the most damage. If such deep tangles go unnoticed, they will develop into uncomfortable mats that irritate your dog’s skin.
Long-haired dogs require a wash every 4 to 6 weeks, with a haircut every 8 to 12 weeks. A groomer visit every six weeks might help you attain a nice mix of both. The more you brush your dog at home, the longer you can go between groomer sessions.
If you don’t have time to brush your dog on a daily basis, groomers may likely recommend more frequent appointments to keep your dog’s skin and coat in good condition.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD DOGS WITH THICK UNDERCOATS BE GROOMED?
Dogs with dense undercoats, such as spitz breeds, require daily brushing and monthly baths to stay healthy and comfortable. Because cutting the undercoat might disturb the growth pattern and texture, we recommend using an undercoat rake with revolving tines rather than sharp blades.
A groomer’s thorough undercoat removal every 8 to 12 weeks will allow your dog’s skin and coat to breathe while maintaining proper insulation. She recommends a neat trim (no more than half an inch) for these dogs since excessive haircuts might disrupt undercoat regeneration, which can take up to two years to re-establish.
HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD DOGS WITH SMOOTH HAIR BE GROOMED?
Daily brushing and combing are excellent for dogs with smooth hair. A greyhound comb is recommended. The frequency of haircuts depends on how long you want to preserve their coat, but these breeds should be clipped every 4 to 8 weeks.
Because silky-haired dogs have little to no undercoat and oilier skin, they require more frequent bathing. We recommend adding little baking soda to the bath water to help balance the pH.
HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD TERRIERS (OR CANINES WITH TERRIER-LIKE COATS) BE GROOMED?
Terrier coats benefit from frequent brushing, hand stripping, and outline tidying. People don’t have time to follow the such regimen, therefore we propose hiring a professional groomer or going for a shorter haircut.
Because terrier coats vary so much, how often your terrier requires a haircut truly depends on the terrier. Smooth-coated Jack Russels seldom require haircuts. Yorkies, on the other hand, have long, flowing coats that require grooming every month or so. Airedales fall somewhere in the middle. For their wire-haired coats, a haircut every 4 to 8 weeks should be enough.
HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD DOGS WITH WAVY OR CURLY COATS BE GROOMED?
Prepare for a lot of grooming—these dogs’ coats require more attention than any other. Brushing your dog’s coat on a daily basis is essential, possibly even twice or three times each day if you want to maintain it long. Baths should be done every 3 to 4 weeks, and haircuts should be done every 6 to 8 weeks.
It might take up to a year to find a routine that works for both the dog and the family. That time and effort, however, are well spent.
WHY DO APPOINTMENTS FOR DOG GROOMING TAKE SO LONG?
One of the nicest things you can do for your dog is to have him properly groomed. It not only eliminates the need for you to perform the job, but it also allows them to be very fresh and clean owing to the different procedures professional groomers go through to have your dog looking his/her best! Many people enjoy taking their dogs to the groomer, but they dislike how long it takes. So, why does it sometimes take a long time for the groomer to complete with your dog?
Check-in Procedure
When you initially arrive at the grooming salon, there is a lengthy check-in procedure during which the groomer will spend 5-10 minutes chatting to pet owners about their goals. This is a crucial conversation that should take place at every appointment. This way, the groomer gets the results you desire while also taking the time to get to know the dog and make the experience as joyful and effortless as possible. Your pet will be examined for any pre-existing skin issues after you depart. Many health concerns, such as fleas, tumors, and pimples, might be detected during this process.
Work on Preparation
There is a lot of preparation work to be done, such as shaving or brushing a dog’s coat, clipping their nails, brushing their teeth, and cleaning out their ears. To eliminate tangles and knots, groomers always brush a dog’s coat before bathing them!
The Bath
Depending on the dog’s specific behavior and coat condition, the wash might be very short or take much longer. Aside from regular shampooing and conditioners, the groomer may need to give the dog’s coat specific treatment to cure skin rashes, allergies, and other skin disorders. Furthermore, if the dog is difficult to deal with, it will take longer to complete the wash.
Drying
Drying a dog’s coat is essential because it must dry completely before a groomer can trim it to make it even. This is a hard aspect since the dryer typically makes a dog frightened. A groomer will frequently towel dry a dog or even use a fan on low to make them completely dry before the cut. Depending on the breed of the dog, this may take some time. Obviously, the smaller the dog, the shorter the drying time. And, if they have a short coat, the drying time should be no more than 20 minutes, but for a huge, hairy dog, it might take up to an hour.
Clipping
The more elaborate the owner’s desired style, the longer the cut might take. After the clipping, the groomer will do some last cleaning up to ensure that everything looks good on your dog before dressing them with a ribbon or bandana!
Several Dogs
You won’t be the groomer’s sole client, therefore one of the reasons it takes so long is that there are several dogs waiting to be groomed. Even if there are several groomers on staff, it may take some time to visit everyone – even if they have an appointment.
The Call
Once this is completed, the groomer will contact or text you to notify you that it is now time to pick up your furry kid.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We hope this advice has assisted you in determining an appropriate grooming plan for your dog. As usual, if you have any queries regarding your dog’s individual needs, consult with your groomer.