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Grooming Short Haired Dogs
Grooming Short-haired Dogs
By Janice A. Jones Updated: 02-03-2020
Grooming Short-haired Dogs is not
difficult, but it does require a little knowledge about the correct tools of
the trade. A little time grooming will
go a long way towards improving the bond between you and your dog.
It
will also give you a chance to do an all-over check for bumps, parasites, skin
infections, or lesions, that you might miss if you never brushed, combed or
bathed your dog.
We will assume that you would never fall into that
category, so here are a few tips for keeping your dog looking and feeling his
best. Your tasks for grooming short-haired dogs includes:
Grooming Short-haired Dogs: Brushing

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Bristle Brushes
Use a medium bristle brush and brush all over
the dog’s body using medium pressure to get down and through the coat.
Brush from head to toe in the direction the hair grows. Click on the picture to purchase directly from Amazon
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Slicker Brushes
Some people prefer a slicker brush when grooming short-haired dogs because it tends to assist very well with removing dead hairs and keeping shedding to a minimum. Slicker brushes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. For small breed dogs, purchase one that is small.
If you use a slicker brush, do not press to hard, especially on sensitive skin. Purchase directly from this site.
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Flea Combs
A fine toothed comb such as a flea comb
can be used after brushing to remove any loose hairs that were not picked
up by the brush and look for fleas.
You might not see the flea but
flea debris looks like coarse black pepper and if you see that, you know
you have a flea problem. Choose one that feels good in your hands.
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Rubber Curry Brush
These oils help keep the
skin healthy and prevent flaking, which can be itchy to the dog.
Itchy skin naturally leads to scratching and licking and possibly the
formation of hotspots. This will give the dog a good shine and
beautiful look. It also serves as a way to massage the skin. Most dogs love the feeling they receive when you use this type of brush. Purchase directly from Amazon from this site.
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Furminator Tools/Rakes
During heavy shedding times, a rake or FURminator
will remove much of the hair that would normally fall out and thus cuts
down on the amount of shedding. You may not need to use this every time, but during seasonal shedding, this product really cuts down on the amount of hair you see on your furniture.
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Brushing once a
week will stimulate natural oils in the skin and help reduce the
amount of hair you will find on your sofa and carpets. Brushing also
removes any surface dust or dirt leaving your dog looking clean and
shiny. Regular brushing also reduces the number of times you will
need to bathe him. Brushing also, helps keep the skin healthy and
shiny so you will not experience dry flaky skin that tends to irritate the
dog.
Make a note of any abnormalities
that you find while grooming: Fleas or ticks, skin infections, bumps or
small growths/tumors, lesions that need treating. Plan to make an
appointment with your vet soon if you notice anything abnormal.
Grooming Short-haired Dogs: Bathing
Bathing the short-haired dog is a
breeze. A bath about once per month is
usually enough to keep your dog clean. Some
short-haired dogs have a doggie odor and for these, you may want to bathe no
more often than once per week. Some dogs
can go up to 3 months without a bath.
Many
people choose to take their short-haired dog to the groomers for a bath rather
than doing at home. Professional
groomers will give the dog a thorough bath, clip their nails, check and clean
the ears if needed and check/express anal glands if required.
Do not neglect your dog’s dental
health: Brush several times a week or
daily if possible.
Other people will do all the
grooming tasks at home for their dog. If
the dog is brushed regularly a good bath once a month is all you will
need. You can also get into the habit of
checking ears and clipping nails all at the same time.
To bathe, use a high quality dog
shampoo and cream rinse if desired.
Human shampoos should never be used on dogs because human shampoo
differs from dog shampoo in two important ways.
Human hair is slightly more acidic than dog hair and we have sweat
glands where dogs do not. Dogs only have
sweat glands on their paw pads.
Gather Your Supplies
- Towel(s)
- Cotton Balls for Ears
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Rubber Curry Brush, Slicker or Bristle Brush
- Sink/Bathtub Mat
- Wash Cloth
Procedure
- Brush dog to remove any loose hairs
using a slicker, bristle brush or a rubber curry brush.
- Place a small cotton ball in each
ear so water will not enter the ear canal.
- Some people prefer to add water to
the sink/tub first. This is optional,
but no more than an inch or so of water is needed.
- Wet dog down. Lather entire body
with shampoo, taking special care around the face. If your dog hate water around their face,
save this part until later. Check anal
glands and express if needed.
- Rinse. Apply a small amount of conditioner that has
been diluted with warm water. Drizzle it
over the body, all but the head. Rinse with warm water.
- Finish by washing the face and
around the eyes with the washcloth.
- Towel Dry, using more than one towel
if needed. Keep the dog in a warm room
until completely dry. Most owners of short-haired
dogs do not blow-dry the hair, but this is optional.
- When the dog is completely dry,
brush once more. Apply a little doggie cologne
if desired. This is also a good time to check
and clean ears and clip nails.
That’s all there is to it! You are now an Expert on Grooming Short-Haired Dogs!
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