Dogs are man’s best friend and have been for a long time. Some of the oldest dog remains were dated at least 14,000 years old! While it’s been hundreds of thousands of years since they’ve been domesticated, dogs still retain some characteristics of their wild ancestors.
It includes having hair that grows longer than many other breeds. Long-haired dog breeds can be challenging to care for because their fur may tangle or become matted if not brushed daily and bathed regularly. Say you have a labradoodle, you might struggle with the question of how to groom a labradoodle. A labradoodle is a cross between a labrador and a doodle. It retains the wiry and curly fur coat from the doodle breed, which requires regular maintenance and can be quite daunting.
However, caring for your puppy will be much easier if you research how best to take care of these dogs’ coats and know what signs indicate when grooming needs more attention.
Keep Long-Haired Dog Breeds Cool
Keeping a dog with long hair cool in the summer is a big challenge, but it’s one you can overcome if you keep your pet’s health in mind. Provide plenty of shade and water in the summer months and avoid letting your dog get overheated. If they do, you should be prepared to cool them down with cold water immediately. Senior dogs of age 12 or over are at serious risk of severe and fatal heatstroke.
The best way to keep your long-haired dog cool is by providing shade and plenty of fresh water throughout the day. Consider investing in some portable fan or air conditioner to help circulate air within your home when needed and provide comfort for yourself while tending to your pup outside on warm days.
Trim Hair Around the Eyes and Ears
Long-haired dogs must be groomed regularly, especially if they have hair around their eyes and ears. The best way to trim the hair around your own dog’s eyes is with scissors. It can be tricky because you don’t want to cut too close, but you also want it clean enough that they don’t get an eye infection from having dusty dog hair against the eye.
It would help if you also were careful not to cut too close around your dog’s ears, this could lead to problems like ear infections and irritations from having too much of their face covered in fur all the time. Similarly, don’t trim just any part of your puppy’s mouth, only do so if there are tufts of hair growing out of it on either side.
Brush Daily to Remove Tangles and Knots
Brushing your dog’s coat daily will help remove tangles and knots before they become a problem. One of the best tools for this is a pin brush or slicker brush, with metal pins designed to get through tangles without hurting your dog. Pin brushes are especially helpful for removing mats in long hair. Use an undercoat rake if you feel like you need more strength than a pin brush can provide.
Brush in the direction of hair growth (from head to tail). If it helps, step on one end while holding the other near your legs and then move up toward its head with short strokes. Brush each section thoroughly until no more mats come out—this will take some time, depending on how much brushing is needed.
Use a Pin Brush or Slicker Brush
Pin bristle brushes have longer pins and are used more for removing tangles, while slicker brushes have shorter pins and are generally used for finishing touches. You can use either brush on your dog before you bathe them. Pin brushes will help to remove larger knots, while slicker brushes will help to smooth out any remaining snarls after the initial brushing. The best time to use them is when you’re bathing your dog so that they’re nice and wet when you start brushing them, this will make it easier for you.
If you’re using a pin brush, start by gently pinning their hair back against their body with one hand while gently brushing the coat with another – this will help ensure that all loose hairs are removed easily when rinsing out later on. Then move onto each limb individually until all areas have been thoroughly brushed. Finally, use circular motions around joints such as elbows or paws where there may be fur buildup due to constant licking.
Give More Attention to Their Coat During Shedding Season
Shedding season is a primary concern for owners of long-haired breeds. During this time, your dog will lose lots of hair, and you’ll find it everywhere – on the couch, in your bed, on your clothes, and even in the food bowl. The good news is that there are ways to minimize shedding while keeping your pup’s coat healthy.
It takes more time to groom a long-haired dog than a short one because their coats are longer and thicker. You can use a brush or comb to remove loose hair from their undercoat (the part closest to their skin), making it easier for them to shed correctly later.
Consider Regular Grooming Appointments
According to a report, US dog owners spend $73 on dog grooming. Regular grooming appointments are essential to caring for your dog’s well-being. Regular grooming helps keep your dog clean, healthy, and happy. The benefits of regular grooming include:
- Keeping fur out of the house, which can reduce allergens
- Removing loose hair and dead skin cells from the coat
- Preventing mats and tangles in long coats
Consider whether they will be gentle with your pet when looking for a professional groomer. If you have more than one dog that needs grooming, ask how many dogs the groomer has worked with before and how much experience they have handling dogs of different sizes and temperaments.
Conclusion
It’s essential to brush your long-haired dog regularly and have regular grooming appointments. Brushing removes tangles and knots that can cause matting and discomfort for your dog. Brushing also helps distribute natural oils in the coat, which helps keep it healthy and looking shiny. Finally, brushing removes dead hair that can cause skin irritation when left on the coat.
We hope you found these tips helpful. If you have a long-haired dog or are thinking about getting one, we encourage you to try out some of these suggestions. Long-haired dogs require more work than short-haired ones, but they are also much more fun to play with and look after.
