Dog Grooming – Maintaining A Posh Pup

Dog grooming is not simply an aesthetic bonus for our canine friends. Maintaining a regular grooming schedule is an important part of keeping your dog both healthy and happy. Routine dog grooming ensures that your dog is free of parasites, has healthy skin and a shiny coat, and has good dental health. Of course, the aesthetic benefits are also a plus. Only a true dog lover wants to be around a dirty, stinky dog with bad breath. Proper dog grooming will bring out the best in man’s best friend.

While basic dog grooming can be performed at home, the best results are achieved via a professional dog groomer. A thorough dog grooming session takes care of all the hygienic needs of your dog and can save you time.  The grooming process generally takes from two to four hours to accomplish, but the results are well worth the time spent. A typical dog grooming session consists of the following treatments for your dog:

* A complete and through coat brushing to eliminate tangles and matted hair

* A thorough bath including flea dip (if applicable)

* Styling as requested or required for the breed (can include accessories such as bows and

   decorative bandannas)

* Nail trimming

* Ear cleaning and examination for parasites and ear infections

* Teeth cleaning

The frequency with which you should groom your dog is dependent on the breed and coat quality of your dog. Some breeds are considered high maintenance in terms of dog grooming, while others only need basic care such as a bath and nail trim. Before you purchase or adopt a dog, it’s very important to find out how much grooming your future pet will require. A basic guide to dog grooming by coat type is as follows:

* Curly-Coated – Dogs such as Poodles have a dense and curly coat that is fairly resistant to

 water. These dogs require brushing several times a week, with a professional dog grooming

 at least every four to six weeks to maintain a healthy coat length that is free of mats.

* Short-Coated – Dogs with short dense coats, such as Corgis or German Shepherds need a

  weekly brushing and a trip to the groomer about every eight weeks to help them shed some of

  the dense undercoat and eliminate doggie odors.

* Long-Coated – Long coated dogs, such as Collies and Sheepdogs, require a daily brushing to

  keep their coats in good condition. Additional dog grooming including regular bathing, should

  be  administered once every six to eight weeks.

* Silky-Coated – Afghans, Cocker Spaniels and Pekinese dogs belong to the silky coated dog group. These dogs require daily brushing and a thorough dog grooming session every six to eight weeks.

* Wire-Coated – Wire coated dogs require considerable dog grooming. Dogs such as Terriers and Schnauzers should be bathed and have their coat clipped every six to eight weeks.

* Smooth-Coated – The smooth-coated class of dogs includes Labrador Retrievers, Doberman

  Pinschers and Dachshunds. These are low maintenance dogs and require only weekly

  brushing and bathing as necessary, and nails trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks.

Whatever type of dog you own, it’s important to see that proper grooming is maintained for the proper health and happiness of your canine companion.

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Vancouver, WA 98682

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