Coat care for dogs
How often a dog needs the groomer depends on the coat type, and what happens at home helps decide how relaxed the appointment will be.
How often should a dog visit the groomer?
The coat type matters more than the breed. Broadly speaking, there are three main groups.
Soft, continuously growing coat: Poodles, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Havanese, Bolognese and the many Doodle crosses. This type of coat is usually clipped and trimmed every six to eight weeks.
Wiry topcoat with undercoat: Terriers, Schnauzers and wire-haired Dachshunds. These coats are hand-stripped, with the dead hair carefully removed by hand. When done correctly, this is comfortable for the dog. A typical interval is around eight to twelve weeks. Hand-stripping preserves the natural texture and colour of the topcoat, as well as its protective properties against moisture and dirt.
Short and double coat: Labradors, German Shepherds and Retrievers. These dogs generally do not need clipping. Their grooming focuses on bathing, removing loose undercoat during shedding, and caring for their nails and paw pads.
Between appointments
Regular brushing at home makes grooming appointments easier for everyone. Curly coats need brushing almost daily, long coats two to three times a week, and short coats about once a week.
The areas that tend to mat first are usually the same: behind the ears, in the armpits, around the tail and where a harness or collar sits. Paying particular attention to these areas makes a big difference.
After wet walks, it is best to let your dog dry before brushing, as damp fur can mat more easily.
Nails, ears, eyes and pads
Nails are too long if you can hear them clicking on a hard floor. Check them every four to eight weeks; how quickly they grow depends largely on how much your dog walks on hard surfaces.
Ears need regular attention, especially in dogs with floppy ears or a lot of hair in the ear canal, where heat and moisture can build up.
Eyes: for light-coloured breeds prone to tear staining, gently wiping the area daily with a damp cloth helps keep the skin underneath healthy.
Pads: keeping the hair between the pads short gives grip on smooth floors. In winter it is worth rinsing the paws with lukewarm water after the walk, because road salt attacks the skin.
In our salon
Our Grooming salon is located in the main house and is run by Lisa. Services include bathing, clipping and hand-stripping, de-matting, and care of the nails, ears, eyes and paw pads.
Grooming and boarding can easily be combined. A dog staying with us can have their grooming appointment during the stay, and a boarding stay can also be added to a grooming appointment.