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Reasons for grooming
Grooming is an important part of dog care. Depending on the breed,
age and health of the dog, grooming may be a daily activity. Many breeds
require significantly less grooming than this, but regular grooming
helps to ensure the dog is healthy and comfortable. It is important to
note, while many dogs shed, others such as the Poodle, do not shed (see
Moult). Instead, their coat grows much like human hair, and requires
trimming.
The main reasons for daily grooming include:
- improved health of the skin and coat
- decreases the chance of various health problems such as thrush,
scratches, and other skin problems
- cleans the dog
- allows the groomer to check the dog's health, such as looking for
cuts, heat, swelling, lameness, or a change in temperament (such as
depression) which could indicate the dog is sick
- helps to form a relationship between dog and owner
Tools used for grooming
Curry or Currycomb: A tool made of rubber or plastic with short
"teeth." The tool is rubbed or "curried" in a circular motion to loosen
dirt, hair, and other detritus, plus stimulate the skin to produce
natural oils. Metal currycombs are also available, but are designed for
use on show cattle.
Shedding blade: for grooming certain types of harsh coats, a metal
shedding blade with short, dull teeth is used to remove dead hair. The
shedding blade is not used to cut the hair.
Scissors and Clippers: used to remove hair on certain types of coats
or in sensitive areas.
Bathing
Dogs can be bathed by being wet down with a garden hose using a
hand-held shower head, or with water from a bucket. Oftentimes, one bath
will not make a dog truly clean. A second bath if excellent to ensure
the entire body has been cleaned. Many types of shampoos and
conditioners formulated for dogs are available, however, using a shampoo
without mixing it with water may be a little strong for a dog which is
just getting a touch-up bath. If your dog isn't filthy, add half water
to your shampoo to make it easier on the dog and to make sure it rinses
entirely. If not rinsed completely, it may become irritating to the dog.
Most dogs do not require frequent bathing: too-frequent shampooing can
strip the hair coat of natural oils and cause it to dry out.
Hair removal
The coats of many breeds require trimming, cutting, or other
attention. Styles vary by breed and discipline. While some hair removal
has its origins in practical purposes, much is based on the taste of the
owner, whether or not the dog will be shown, and what work the dog does.
Stripping
Stripping or hand-stripping is the process of pulling the dead hair
out of the coat of a non-shedding dog, either by using a stripping knife
or the fingers. A hard, wiry coat has a cycle where it starts growing
and then sheds as it reaches maximum length. Hand-stripping coordinates
the shedding and makes room for a new coat to grow.
Nail trimming
Nail trimming is absolutely necessary for maintaining good health. If
a dog's nails are allowed to grow, they will curl over into a spiral
shape; walking will become increasingly painful to the dog as they grow
out. Uncut nails may curl so far that they pierce the paw pad, leading
to infection and debilitating pain. If one does not trim a dog's nails
on a monthly basis the quick will grow along with the nail, making it
nearly impossible to cut properly. Owners may choose to trim nails
themselves or may opt to take their pet to a groomer or vet.
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