When researching the perfect puppy to add to your family it is important to also research the time and costs involved in the maintenance of your potential pooches coat.
What does Smooth coated mean?
A smooth coat is the easiest to maintain. It is short in length and sits tight to the body, meaning that it can't get matted or tangled. The coat stays short all year round needing no cutting or clipping.
Some popular example of smooth coats dogs we often see are:
Jack Russell Terrier
Smooth coated Dachshund
Greyhound/Whippet
Labrador
Pug
Maintaining a smooth coated dog at home
Although this coat type is by far the lowest maintenance they still require regular grooming both at home and with the help of a professional dog groomer to remove dead hair and dirt from the coat. Regular grooming of your dog at home not only improves the bond between owners and their dogs but also gives you an opportunity to notice any changes in your dogs body.
Brushing your dog at least once a week will help keep the coat healthy and reduce shedding around the house.
Brushes need:
Rubber curry brush or FURminator deshedder (these are available in a range of sizes to suit any type of dog)
Maintaining a smooth coated by a Professional Dog Groomer
By setting up a regular routine with your groomer between 8-10 weekly full grooms and 4-6 weekly Express Wash & Go.
A full groom will include a through deshed, tidying on the paw pads, nail trimming, bath and dry. An express Wash and Go will include a deep cleaning bath and dry.
Example of Grooming a smooth coated dog
For this example I used my own Miniature Dachshund Aurora (pictured above after her groom at home)
When grooming Aurora at home I try and brushed her everyone day with a FURminator. This helps to reduce the amount of shedding of the coat. For this groom the deshed is about a weeks worth and you will find the amount you get out of your dog will vary depending on the time of year/cycle of the hair growth.
Like many Dachshunds (and small dogs such as pugs) Aurora doesn't like having her claws cut using normal claw trimmers, so instead I have trained her to enjoy having them filed on a regular basis with an electric file (I currently use an Andis nail grinder as pictured). I try and do this little and often once a week to keep on top of her nail length. It is so important to keep up to date with your dogs claw trimming for a number of reason, please see our blog about claw trimming for more information.
At home I will bath Aurora once a fortnight, or more regularly when dirty. I will then dry her will a handheld hair drier and finish off by making her cosy in her Ruff & Tumble drying coat (definitely worth the money and so useful to have after wet and muddy walks!)
The more regular you perform this groom at home the more relaxed and comfortable your dog will become with the process.
The bases of grooming Aurora in the Salon are very similar to that at home, however using profession standard shampoos I am able to also give her a deep clean which will also stimulate the hair follicles due to shed. The high power driers used in the salon will also aid to shift some of that hair due to come out in the next shedding cycle.
If you are ever unsure what coat type your dog has or how best to groom them at home, speak to your groomer and they will be happy to offer help and advice as to best maintain at home.
Professional Dog grooming is not there to substitute at home care, it is a partnership to best maintain the welfare and happiness of your much loved pet.