How To Brush Your Dog Correctly?

Conditions To Be Observed When Combing:

• The brush should be matched to your pet's coat, and its teeth should be shorter than the dog's coat;
• The process of brushing should be delicate: too aggressive movements can irritate the delicate skin of the dog;
• It is necessary to comb in the direction of hair growth;
• The entire body of the dog should be combed, even if the hair on the legs and neck is of different lengths;
• The dog, accustomed to the procedure, is combed from the head, moving to the tail, and from the back to the ends of the paws, and the “beginner” is allowed to enjoy a comfortable order for him.

Short-Haired Dogs (Pug, Doberman)

1. How often to comb out? Sparingly daily and thoroughly twice a week.
2. What to use? Natural bristle brush, massage mitt; some owners wipe their pet with a flannel cloth to add shine to the coat. Twice a week it is necessary to use a metal comb, "pulling" dead hairs.

Dogs With Medium Length Coats (Rottweiler, Labrador)

1. How often? It is optimal to comb out twice a week, but during the molting period this will have to be done as often as possible.
2. What to use? Comb and hairbrush with medium to soft rubber bristles. Some owners use a furminator, but the breeders do not advise doing this - it may disturb the structure of the outer (integumentary) hair.

Long-Haired Dogs (Collie, Chow-Chow)

1. How often? Light brushing is done daily to prevent tangles, but thorough brushing is done no more than once a week. Exception: the moulting period, when the pet will have to be combed out every day.
2. What to use? Comb with long teeth, slicker brush, curved comb.

Wirehaired Dog Breeds (Schnauzer, Shorthaired Pointer, Fox and Airedale Terrier)

1. How often? Many wire-haired breeds have beards that are tidied up every time they eat. But they have no molt at all. This means that the procedure for pulling out dead hairs is carried out twice a year. Some owners occasionally use a slicker - there is no need for the dog itself, but this makes the pet look more presentable.
2. What to use? Metal single-row comb with rounded teeth, slicker, trimmer.

Special Wool (Bullets, Komondor)

1. How often? At the age of 5-9 months, the fur will have to be taken apart every day behind the ears and above the tail. Further throughout its life, you will need weekly grooming at the ends of the ears and separation of the cords about once every 2-4 weeks.
2. What to use? Only with your fingers, but in rare cases a special strand separator is required.

• No hair dryer was used after washing the dog. Naturally dry wool tends to form tangles: it fluffs and crumples.
• While bathing, the owner rubbed the dog very hard. It is worth remembering that under mechanical stress, dead hairs fall out, and thorough washing of the wool entangles them.
• Clothes for dogs also contribute to the formation of tangles. Especially if it is made of rough fabric.
• Dirty coat can speed up the matting process. The fatty layer with which it is covered collects dust, dirt and, of course, loose hair much faster.
• Insufficient combing is one of the causes of this problem. So, if the owner does not comb out the coat and undercoat properly, it is likely that dumped clumps will soon appear on the pet.

How To Comb Out Tangles In a Dog?

• Bathe your pet. In the process of washing, some of the dead hair will be washed off by itself;
• Dry your pet's coat well, paying particular attention to the undercoat;
• Comb your dog with special anti-mats products - these are available from veterinary pharmacies and pet stores. This will make the brushing process less painful for the dog;
• The remaining mats are unlikely to be combed out, it remains only to carefully cut them off with scissors;
• Carefully cut the mat in several places in the direction of hair growth and try to detangle it.
• If burdock became the culprit for the formation of mats, then, before removing the plant from the wool, it should be soaked by bathing the dog. This will make the unraveling process less painful.

Prevention of Mats Formation

• Competent care is the main principle of fighting mats. Follow these simple rules for caring for your pet, and you will never have problems with matted and matted hair:
• Wash your dog regularly, but avoid excessive exposure to the animal's coat. There is no need to be zealous and actively massage the pet.
• Use hygiene products - shampoo and conditioner should be made for animals.
• Don't forget to brush your dog! This is especially true for representatives of long-haired breeds. For example, a collie or cocker spaniel needs to be combed out almost every day. This is required not only to highlight the beauty of the breed, but also for hygienic purposes.
• After combing, you can spray your pet with a spray against the formation of tangles - such products are made on the basis of natural ingredients, so they do not harm the animal's hair.
• Examine your dog closely for mats every week. It is much easier to untangle a fresh and small mug than an old and dense one.