Combs and Brushes
Choosing the right comb or brush for your dog is an important
first step for even the most basic home grooming.
Combs
Rubber curry combs are effective at massaging the skin and
removing dead hair from short-haired breeds. It is also a good idea to
have a Grooming Rake or Mat breaker on hand to remove mats.
When brushing or combing, be gentle and take your time. Be
especially careful when removing mats or tangles. Brushing can and
should be a pleasant experience for your dog as the gentle stroking
feels good on your dog's skin. It doesn't take too many painful "rips"
through snarls, however, to make brushing a procedure your dog will
try to avoid rather than invite. The best way to build trust and make
this a pleasurable bonding time for both of you is to brush your dog
often, preferably daily. This prevents problem mats and tangles from
developing.
Brush types
Although there are many different shapes and sizes, there are
basically three different brush types.
Bristle Brushes: Bristle brushes can be used on all
coat types and vary according to the spacing between bristles and the
length of the bristles. In general, the longer the hair coat, the more
widely spaced and longer the bristles should be. Also, the coarser the
hair, the stiffer those bristles need to be.
Wire-Pin Brushes:
Wire-pin brushes, with or without rubber-tipped ends, are the
preferred choice for dogs with medium to long hair and those with
curly or woolly coats.
Slicker Brushes: Slicker brushes have fine wire
bristles and are especially useful for removing mats and tangles. They
are also the brush of choice for dogs with dense undercoats that tend
to shed heavily.
Refer to the table below for recommendations on the best
brushes for your dog's hair coat and brush types and brushing
direction for different hair coats.
|
Type of Hair
Coat |
Recommended
Brush Type |
Brushing
Direction
|
|
Short, smooth coats (most retrievers, hounds, Chihuahuas, etc.) |
Soft to
medium bristle brush with short, closely spaced bristles |
With the
coat's grain |
|
Short, wiry
coats (terriers, etc.) |
Firm bristle
brush with short, closely spaced bristles, and a slicker brush |
With the
coat's grain |
|
Medium to
long flowing coats (golden retrievers, spaniels, setters, Lhasa
Apso, Persians, etc.) |
Soft to
medium bristle brush with long, medium- to wide-spaced bristles;
a wire pin brush; and a slicker brush for mats and tangles |
With the
coat's grain |
|
Harsh outer
coats with soft, woolly undercoats (sheepdog, collies,
shepherds, Chows, Pomeranians, etc.) |
Firm bristle
brush with long, wide--spaced bristles; a wire pin brush; and a
slicker brush for tangles and mats |
With the
grain--outer coat; Against the grain--under coat |
|
Thin,
delicate coats (Yorkies, Maltese, etc.) |
Wire pin
brush; and a soft slicker brush for tangles and mats |
With and
against coat's grain |
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