LITTLE ROCK — We have adopted a 3-year-old adult mixed breed dog who has long hair. I’ve never had a longhaired dog. Do I need to brush him every day? He’s mostly an indoor dog.>
All dogs need grooming, but some dogs need more brushing and maintenance than others. For example, a longhaired dog such as yours needs brushing daily or several times a week to keep his coat from matting and tangling.
Whether a dog has long, short, curly, straight or wiry hair, his coat needs to be cared for - not just for appearance but to ensure the health of the skin, according to the Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook (Howell Book House, 2007). Hair and fur that’s allowed to get matted and tangled, can be uncomfortable and cause skin irritation. Matted fur also provides a breeding ground for parasites and fungal infections.
If your dog is not merely longhaired but double-coated, he’ll also need frequent combing to remove dead hair from next to the skin. Dogs with double coats - a short, soft undercoat and a longer, coarser outer coat - include chows, Pomeranians, malamutes and other breeds originating in cold climates.
Dogs originating in warmer climates, such as Afghan hounds and cocker spaniels, have long hair but are single-coated. Their hair hangs while that of double-coated dogs stands out from the body.
If you’re unsure whether your dog has a single or double coat and want advice about caring for him, talk with your veterinarian about your dog’s specific needs. You may also want to take the dog to a professional groomer for a clipping and grooming. Plus, you can ask the groomer for suggestions.
Once you find out the kind of care your dog’s coat needs, you can get tools and supplies for at-home grooming.
For a long-haired dog, dogs.about.com suggests these tools:
A soft wire slicker brush, used to break up mats and tangles.
A mat comb with long teeth.
A bristle brush for daily brushing.
A de-shedding tool such as the Furminator (but ask your vet or a groomer about this first because this tool isn’t appropriate for all types of hair).
You may also want to invest in electric clippers if your dog has hair that keeps growing (for example, poodles and shih tzus need routine trims or their hair gets overly long and hard to handle).
If your dog wasn’t brushed regularly by his previous owners, he may not welcome the attention at first (or he could be thrilled - you never know). If he’s a little brush-shy, introduce it slowly with short sessions of a minute or two. Use the bristle brush to gently stroke him along the back and sides. Talk softly to him while doing so, and reward him with a treat afterward. You may also find it helpful to let him have a small treat during the process to focus his attention away from the brush.
Do this every day and gradually increase the amount of time you spend brushing him. Always work gently - never yank or pull the brush through his hair. If you find a tangle or mat, tackle it with a comb, starting at the outside and working inward (like you would if you were detangling your hair).
Make brushing a pleasant experience and he may not only tolerate it but come to enjoy the attention.
Do you have a question about pets? We’ll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Rhonda Owen, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or e-mail askcreature@att.net
Family, Pages 35 on 11/24/2010