Healthy skin and a healthy coat
An important part of keeping your dog in good condition is
by making sure he has healthy skin and a healthy coat. The
amount of care your dog needs will vary but all dogs should
have a good grooming regime.
You can find many places that offer a variety of grooming
services for fair prices. A local pet store should be able to
point you in the direction of a reputable private pet grooming
parlour, or your local veterinary practice may provide a
grooming service. The staff at a grooming centre will be well
trained, professional and familiar with the needs of your
particular breed of dog. They will also take care of cleaning
your dog's ears and cutting his nails.
D.I.Y. grooming
You may choose to groom your own dog, or do most of the work
yourself with the occasional trip to the professionals. This is
a great opportunity for you to spend time with your dog,
especially as most dogs love the attention they get with a good
brushing.
A healthy coat will be soft and relatively smooth even on
short or wired hair breeds. The coat should be shiny, but not
greasy and shouldn't have a strong odour. A dog with an
unhealthy coat will have dry and brittle hair with lots of
loose hair in the coat. The coat itself may also be greasy or
have a dusty appearance. Other signs of an unhealthy coat
include bald spots and a bad oily smell.
Brush regularly
Brushing is the most important part of grooming a dog. Long-
haired breeds will need to be brushed twice a week, while dogs
that are prone to shedding, or have thick undercoats, should be
brushed once a week. Even short- haired breeds will benefit
from regular grooming to remove loose hair.
Like any job, brushing requires the right tools and there
are as many different types of brushes as there are types of
coats on a dog. Ideally you need two brushes, one with widely
spaced teeth for the outer layer of your dog's coat and a finer
spaced one for thorough combing and for around the face. Ask
your veterinarian or groomer what they recommend.
Bath time
"Doggy Smell" is usually caused by a build-up of bacteria
and oil on a dog's coat. And although your dog is likely to be
perfectly happy without a bath, a good wash will eliminate this
build up. It is however, possible to "over bath" your dog,
leading to dry skin and irritation, so unless he's particularly
dirty (with mud, faeces etc.) don't bath your dog more than
once a month.
As a general rule don't use a shampoo designed for people.
Baby shampoo is safe and won't irritate the eyes but the
detergents are so mild that they won't remove heavy grime or
grease. Ideally use cleaning products formulated specially for
dogs. Your veterinarian or local pet store should carry
them.
Proper diet
Another very important aspect of maintaining a healthy coat
is diet. Hair is mostly made of protein, and the better your
dog's diet, the better his coat will be. Foods that are rich in
essential fatty acids are particularly good for your dog's
coat. If your dog is showing signs of trouble with his coat or
skin, his diet may be the culprit. Be sure to talk to your vet
about what kind of food is recommended for your dog and his
coat.