Let's face it, pet parents are active people. And while getting in the practice of feeding, playing, and taking out the pup is something most pet parents have perfected, many hounds are missing out on a regular grooming schedule.
Having your canine groomed is an excellent way to maintain your dog's health and appearance. It also helps clean your dog's coat, skin, ears, paws, and sanitary places. As we specialize in mobile pet grooming in Clermont, FL, many pet owners ask us how frequently they should groom their pups, and we have an answer!
While the timing differs between dog breeds, most should be groomed monthly. This is because routine grooming for your pup prevents matting and knots. Still, grooming is not one-size-fits-all; some dogs may require more grooming care than others. So here's a brief reference guide to determine how often your dog needs brushed, bathed, or completely groomed.
Short-haired canines usually only need infrequent baths every four to six weeks and minimal brushing. They rarely require grooming with clippers or trimmers. Unfortunately, some short-haired dogs shed and sometimes even more than long-haired dogs.
Double-coated dog breeds shed their undercoat seasonally and lose a lot of fur. However, their thicker coats make them prone to matting when not adequately groomed. Without brushing, the undercoat tangles and causes matting that is agonizing and dangerous to your pup's health and can lead to expensive vet or groomer costs. With a reasonable grooming schedule and constant brushing, you can bypass matting and reduce the amount of fur you find all over your floor. While all double-coated breeds have variable lengths and styles of coats, they require regular brushing through the undercoat to the skin. Therefore, brushing should happen one to three times per week. Regarding grooming, double-coated dogs should not have their coat shaved. Instead, professionals should trim it because their undercoat helps regulate their temperature.
Pups with short, dense coats don't need bathing or grooming more than once every two to three months. However, Huskies rarely require coat trimming and only require bathing a few times yearly. However, for most double-coated pups with longer, less dense coats, we suggest bathing once a month with a trim around their face, ears, sanitary regions, and paw pads. We also recommend light, whole body trims at least every three months.
While pups with curly and wavy coats are alluring because they shed less than others, their coats are more likely to get matted. As a result, dirt and debris can get captured where they will remain in the curly coat until brushed or washed out. Thus, it's essential to have regular grooming, bathing, and brushing schedules.
We recommend brushing their coat at least three times weekly for these pups. You can utilize a slicker brush to brush from the skin out. Use a shampoo for stubborn mats. For grooming, we suggest bathing and grooming once monthly. It's vital for breeds with curly or wavy hair that their coats are routinely maintained, so they don't have to be shaved bald. We recommend professional grooming at least once monthly.
Many terrier breeds have rough and bristly wire coats. While their fur does not shed, the dead hair tends to mat close to the skin. Thus, they need to be brushed or combed from the skin out to the end of the hair. We advise brushing at least one to three times weekly and bathing every one or two months. Grooming should mostly be light trims near the face, ears, paws, and sanitary areas every four to six weeks. Wire-haired dogs should not be shaved down as their fur may grow back softer and in different colors.